The Imagery of Holiness

With the Reformation, Protestants tended to emphasize justification more than sanctification.  The Orthodox and Catholic branches of Christianity have perhaps emphasized sanctification more than justification.  Discipline and denial were instruments to purify the human nature of its sin and weaknesses.  John Wesley, Early Methodism, and the American Holiness Movement sought to create a balance between the two.  The hymn "Rock of Ages" has these lines--
    Be of sin the double cure
    Save from wrath and make me pure.

One of the problems with the presentation of the Wesleyan doctrine of holiness is that it was both overly defined both in its nature and in the process of achieving the state of "perfect love."  Another problem with the presentation of the doctrine of holiness concerns its imagery.  We heard descriptions such as dying to self and rooting out the carnal nature, Sainthood was often pictured as puritanical and judgmental, certainly high moral conduct with its disciplines and avoidance of harmful excess were rightly part of the doctrine of holiness.  I suggest, however, that the best image of holiness is spiritual and emotional health.  Sin is best portrayed as sickness, as an enemy to human fulfillment.  It may present its face as true humanity and joy but when we look at selfishness, at envy, at pride, at the harm and poison dealt to its neighbors, a tolerance for sin in one's life takes on the odor of putrefaction.  There are many scripture references that use the image of health for holiness.  The poet Shelley pictures it very well in Prometheus Unbound.  He describes it as the cure a leprous child receives from bathing in the spirit of love and being cured, coming out with newborn flesh.  He uses ship imagery.  Selfishness is no guide to the progress and direction of a ship.  When love has sway over the ship it cleaves the waves with accuracy and swiftness.

The fear of entering the holy life is often that one will be less than human.  The truth is that the life of holiness is the fulfillment of what a human person ought to be in all its health and joy.