Called Into Communion: A Paradigm Shift in Holiness Theology

Description: This book illuminates the experiential and theocentric dimensions of holiness theology. It acknowledges two strands of thought in current holiness theology--Wesleys Christian perfection and entire sanctification as propagated in the early days of the American Holiness Movement. It honors the contribution of both these strands by identifying the deep harmony in the holiness message of John Wesley and Phineas Bresee. Using insights from Wesley and Bresee the author develops a paradigm for holiness theology from the standpoint of its transcendent goal. Called into Communion explicates entire sanctification as revelatory and salvific a necessary threshold experience for complete openness to God. This approach illuminates the rootedness of holiness theology in the triune fellowship of holy love. The communion perspective affirms holiness theology as the underlying theological principle for a missional ecclesiology since participation in God characterizes the church as a doxological fellowship of holy love and determines the churchs redemptive action. Seminarians and pastors will find in this book a new perspective on the holiness message. It extends the horizon of reflection to the grace that seeks out and enables human partners for a transformative fellowship of genuine reciprocity with God. Endorsements: With a clear prophetic voice knowledgeable of the nineteenth-century holiness distortions of Wesleys sophisticated theology as well as its twenty-first-century correctives that plop down on a gradualism that caricatures Wesleys balanced and conjunctive theology Susan Carole rightly raises several pointed questions that some of the most popular readings of Wesleys theology flatly ignore. This is a bold and badly needed courageous work. I highly recommend it. --Kenneth J. Collins Professor of Wesley Studies and Historical Theology Asbury Theological Seminary Engaging recent interest in Trinitarian theology and ecclesiology Susan Carole proposes fullness of communion with God as the ultimate goal of holiness theology. She addresses the problem of subjectivity that has characterized most expressions of holiness theology in the past century and points us toward a doctrine of entire sanctification that is theocentric and experiential. Her careful theological reflection on holiness theology is a valuable contribution to both academic and pastoral theologians. --Roger L. Hahn Professor of New Testament and Professor of Biblical Theology Nazarene Theological Seminary Called into Communion provides pastors educators and laity in the Wesleyan-holiness tradition with a refreshing understanding of holiness theology rooted in the communal love of the triune God. This view gives emphasis to the communal aspects of worship and the churchs redemptive work in the world. --Mark A. Maddix Professor of Practical Theology and Christian Discipleship Northwest Nazarene University About the Contributor(s): Susan Carole is adjunct professor of theology at Nazarene Theological Seminary and instructor in the Nazarene Clergy Development Program. An ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene she has been in ministry for over two decades in the Caribbean West Africa and the United States. She earned a PhD in theology in 2011 at Calvin Theological Seminary.