Introduction
It is hard to disagree that sanctification is one of the primary concepts in Christianity. While the key essence of sanctification is defined, there are several different perspectives on the roles of sin, justification, holiness, perfectness, human participation, and God’s will in this process. The purpose of this report is to summarize an interview with an experienced pastor currently serving in a professional position within a congregation. The views and ideas expressed by the interviewee in response to the questions are used in this report to develop a discussion related to the five views on sanctification and the ways to incorporate the doctrine of holiness into the congregation’s life.
Basic Information about the Interviewee
To begin with, it is essential to provide some basic information about the pastor selected for the interview. The interviewee is an active leader in a Pentecostal church. To be more precise, the pastor is the Assistant Zonal Coordinator of a Pentecostal Church in North America, and one cannot doubt his status and experience, as he has been in the ministry for about twenty years.
The interviewee’s education is quite impressive, as he holds two Master’s degrees: one in Theology and another in Business Administration and Hospitality. It can be said that the pastor’s educational background and religious beliefs enable him to effectively lead his congregation in accordance with God’s laws. The interviewed pastor decided to participate in the interview to promote the Pentecostal perspective on sanctification and share his knowledge about the fundamental concepts of Christianity.
Summary of the Interview’s Content
This section of the report is devoted to identifying the main themes that emerge during the interview. First, when the pastor responds to the questions, he regularly refers to the concepts of holiness, stating that this is the integral and vital key to maintaining one’s bond and spiritual connection with heaven. Indeed, the concept of holiness appears to be of principal importance for the pastor as he uses his weekly programs, such as Bible Studies, Sunday Services, Sunday school, and others, to promote its significance. Holiness is necessary for one to know God and His nature, to radiate His life, and to please Him.
Furthermore, another central theme raised during the interview is sanctification and the pastor’s perception of it, as shared from the perspective of the Pentecostal church. Through daily regeneration, one should entirely separate oneself from sins and sinful lifestyles to experience sanctification. Interestingly, the pastor identifies an issue in modern churches – sanctification becomes rare as Christians strive to find other ways of becoming heaven-bound. However, this process is still required because this is what God wants from every one of His followers. Finally, the third evident message in the pastor’s responses is the value of daily sacral rituals and adherence to the Christian lifestyle, which means avoiding evil and having God’s Word as one’s moral guide.
Comparing and Contrasting the Views and Course Ideas
Overall, one may say that there are no significant differences or disagreements between the ideas expressed in the course readings and the pastor’s opinion. The primary agreement can be identified in the definitions of holiness and sanctification, as well as the role of holy texts in the daily lives of Christians. The interviewee perceives the two concepts as similar to the five perspectives on sanctification, and he does not express any ideas that would oppose the course information (Dieter et al., 1996). As for my personal considerations, what the pastor mentions about purity and holiness requiring day-to-day efforts resonates with me. However, I find it challenging to accept the idea of ‘complete separation from sin’ as a means to achieve sanctification, and in relation to this, the Wesleyan view of sanctification is closer to my own.
Identifying the View of Sanctification
The fact that the interviewed pastor is a leader of a Pentecostal church makes it evident that he holds the Pentecostal view on sanctification. Noticeably, the pastor’s responses support this position, which is especially evident when the interviewee shares the definition and process of sanctification. First of all, according to Garcia (2018), the mentioned concept can be defined “as both separation from sin and dedication to the fellowship and service of God through Christ” (para. 3.1). Interestingly, God gives his followers “appointed means to provide for both external and internal sanctification in our daily lives” (Dieter et al., 1996, p. 117). In their books, Garcia (2018) and Menzies and Horton (2012) explain these means. They are mainly the Holy Spirit and sacred texts, including the Bible.
It is possible to find parallels with the pastor’s responses. For example, he insists that sanctification involves a total separation from sinful lifestyles, actions, and thoughts, enabling one to have the mind of Christ and be in the light of God (Stephens, 2008). Furthermore, the pastor also finds it crucial to seek sanctification and purity by referring to the Bible and God’s Word, and by walking in the Holy Spirit, which aligns with the Pentecostal ideas mentioned above.
At the same time, one may also see specific similarities with the other four views on sanctification. For example, according to the Augustinian-Dispensational perspective, “sanctification is both the sovereign act of God and human participation” (Garcia, 2018, para. 5.3). Such an indication can be seen in the responses of the pastor when he mentions the desire of a person and the will of God, as well as the lack of such a desire in many modern Christians. Furthermore, similar to the Keswick sanctification, the interviewee states that purity and holiness can be achieved through reading holy texts and leading a humble and sinless life; however, some Christians do not understand this (Dieter et al., 1996; Sider, 2005).
Next, the Reformed perspective “defines holiness as both separation from sin and consecration to God’s service,” and this idea is also shared by the pastor (Garcia, 2018, para. 2.1). Finally, similar to the Wesleyan view of sanctification, the pastor sees this process to be gradual, moment-to-moment, but possibly never achieved entirely (Garcia, 2018; Leclerc, 2010). These are how the interviewee’s ideas and perceptions combine elements from all five approaches, with the Pentecostal approach being the primary one.
Incorporating the Doctrine of Holiness: Strengths and Weaknesses
To communicate the importance of holiness to his congregation, the pastor ensures that the Holy Spirit guides all weekly meetings and programs. It is quite effective that the value of holiness and the ways to maintain it are frequently promoted, and the main strength of such an approach is that it is verified over time. Most pastors use it in their churches, and information repeated weekly is perceived as successful by many followers (Kidder, 2009).
However, one of the limitations is that more modern tools, such as social media, are not utilized, despite the recommendation for pastors to promote holiness and other Christian principles on social networks (Ferguson, 2021; Willard, 2020). While this should be done wisely, such platforms can help pastors reach younger Christians and instill proper values in them.
The Value of the Obtained Information
It is undeniable that the responses that the pastor provided during the interview are insightful and can guide me in my own personal, professional, and spiritual life. Thus, the key concept I highlight in the discussion is that holiness and purity are achieved and maintained through daily and step-by-step efforts. It is not enough only to pray or read holy texts; first of all, one’s motives and thoughts should be pure, and it is essential to follow God’s Word and Christ’s teachings.
Therefore, holiness comes from both the inside and the outside, and I will apply this knowledge to help myself and other Christians on our way to sanctification. Additionally, the pastor’s responses remind me that evil or sinful thoughts can appear in the mind of the holiest person. However, daily work to stay upright and distinguish between light and darkness is the key to sanctification and being heaven-bound.
Conclusion
To conclude, one may say that the interview with the pastor provides numerous valuable insights. It allows for the comparison between the ideas of a Pentecostal church leader and the considerations of the other four perspectives. The concepts of purity, holiness, and sanctification are, in many ways, similar across the five approaches discussed in the paper, and it is most important that they all guide Christians and prompt them to follow God’s Word.
References
Dieter, M. E., Hoekema, A. A., Horton, S. M., McQuilkin, J. R., & Walvoord, J. F. (1996). Five views on sanctification. Zondervan.
Ferguson, S. (2021). 4 reasons pastors should consider quitting social media. The Gospel Coalition.
Garcia, L. J. (2018). Book review: “Five views on sanctification” edited by Stanley Gundry. Reviews, Reflections, & Research.
Kidder, S. J. (2009). The biblical role of the pastor. Ministry: International Journal for Pastors.
Leclerc, D. (2010). Discovering Christian holiness: The heart of Wesleyan-Holiness theology. Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City.
Menzies, W. W., & Horton, S. M. (2012). Bible doctrines: A Pentecostal perspective. Logion Press.
Sider, R. J. (2005). The scandal of the Evangelical conscience: Why are Christians living just like the rest of the world? Baker Books.
Stephens, R. J. (2008). The fire spreads: Holiness and Pentecostalism in the American South. Harvard University Press.
Willard, J. (2020). The pastor and social media. Center for Preaching & Pastoral Leadership.