Charles Page posed a question to me – “Melvin do you believe the departure from Holiness goes hand in hand with a denial of second work instantaneous/entire sanctification? or can one hold to one and not the other?” I would like to answer his questions.
While at Lee, we had studies in Soteriology, which is the “study of the doctrine of Salvation.” We had an entire course devoted to the “Person and Work of the Holy Spirit” class. However, not one course was address on the subject of “Sanctification.” The closest we came to the Doctrine of Sanctification in the CoG that I discovered involved three professors at Lee: (1) Hollis Gause ,(2) John Sims, and (3) French Arrington. Dr. Gause in his Systematic Theology that involved his Experiential Theology; Sims who taught second, definite work of grace; and who I heard state myself that if a student desired Calvinism view, they could enroll in Dr. Donald Bowdle’s class; and finally in Arrington’s Greek class. In one class session, Arrington had a show of hands regarding sanctification as a second, definite work of grace. Thirdly, while studying Romans 6:6 from the Koine Greek class, I recall my peer (although I cannot recall the student’s name) was interpreting this text which I felt was in error. I brought it to Arrington’s attention, who in return had me to give my interpretation of it. Remember, no KJV or any other version of the English Bible available. We were strictly using the original Greek text. When I gave my summation, which was in support of sanctification being a second, definite work of grace, Arrington stated that I was correct, at which time the previous student took his Greek text book and threw it across the room at me because he was angry. Don’t worry, I dodged his book so it did not hit me. After class, I had many fellow students patting me on the back, saying they appreciated what I said. Of course, I asked them, Why did they not speak up?
So as you can see, Sanctification was not emphasized at Lee during out tenure there; especially when compared to 1944-1945 at the old BTS located in Sevierville, TN when sanctification was taught and emphasized, involving several teachings, as well as former A/G minister, Finis Dake. It cause a great uproar within the school, and later the entire denomination resulting in the near division at the 1948 GA; which later brought about the CoG Declaration of Faith.
Do I believe the departure from Holiness goes hand in hand with a denial of second work instantaneous/entire sanctification? Yes, I most certainly do. Only early CoG authors penned books entitled, “Sanctification.” On our CoG ministerial monthly reports, the same number Baptized in the Holy Ghost usually was the same number Sanctified on most ministers’ reports. I often said to these ministers, “Why don’t you put the same number as being saved as well?” Our problem was simply that our ministers knew little, if any thing, about the Doctrine of Sanctification. Many CoG ministers, including a good number of them in this forum, do not understand Sanctification, not that they refuse to accept it, but they simply have not been taught anything about it. It has become one of the “Unknowns” of our church. The former GO of the CoG and a leading professor at PTS devoted a video on each statement of the CoG Declaration of Faith. I was interested in their video on # 6, SANCTIFICATION. But listening to them, I soon realized that the professor knew nothing of the doctrine of Sanctification. To me, he just skimmed around it. While the GO posed some very good questions, they lacked definite answers. After the video, I am sure a person was in the dark because no understanding was forth coming. Sad indeed.
What is the result of the lack of the Doctrine of Sanctification being emphasized in CoG schools and churches? The answer is 1986 GA and the mess that most churches are in today.
Charles Page’s question, “Can one hold to one and not the other?”
Let me say, CAN OIL AND WATER MIX? Not at all. The same applies to Charles’ question.