Holiness & Entire Sanctification

The Vision of the Holy

A sermon transcript based on Isaiah 6:1-13, focusing on the theme of 'The Vision of the Holy.' The author explores the theological significance of Isaiah's vision, arguing that rather than a standard call narrative to legitimize a prophet, this chapter serves as a vision report to authenticate Isaiah's message of judgment to Israel. The sermon outlines three sub-topics: a vision of the transcendent (vv. 1-4), a vision of sin and grace (vv. 5-8), and a vision of judgment and hope (vv. 8-13). The author reflects on the implications of God's holiness for the contemporary Church of the Nazarene and discusses personal reflections on the 'holiness' tradition in relation to Old Testament texts, including Exodus 20 and Hosea 11.

Isaiah 6:1-13 · Isaiah 6:8 · Isaiah 6:9

Chapter 2 - Wesleyan Perspective

A lecture transcript discussing the placement of Wesleyan theology within the broader context of the 'Great Church.' The author argues against a sectarian 'Wesleyanism' or ideology, asserting instead that the Wesleyan tradition shares the core Trinitarian-Christological convictions of all orthodox Christian traditions. The text outlines the methodology for a three-volume theological work, stating that the project will first establish the central convictions of the Christian faith (Incarnation, Atonement, Creation, and the Trinity) before examining Wesleyan-specific emphases such as justification, sanctification, and redemption. The document also touches upon the historical identity of John and Charles Wesley as members of the Church of England.

White Paper: A Wesleyan Approach to Faithful Academic Life

A white paper discussing the integration of Wesleyan theology and academic pursuit within the context of Point Loma Nazarene University. The document includes the university's mission statement and a preface outlining a theological framework for higher education. It explores the application of the Wesleyan quadrilateral—Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience—to the pursuit of truth and the various academic disciplines. The author intends to examine specific Wesleyan themes, including prevenient grace, the means of grace, Christian perfection, and catholic spirit, as foundations for institutional excellence and faithful learning.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Corinthians XI

A lecture or presentation transcript dated May 27, 2007, concerning 2 Corinthians 6:11–7:16. The author situates the biblical text within the context of the Day of Pentecost and the Wesleyan Holiness tradition, specifically addressing the relationship between the experience of the Holy Spirit and the doctrine of entire sanctification. The document includes a structural outline of 2 Corinthians, a detailed examination of specific biblical passages (including an appeal for fellowship, an exhortation to holy living, and the arrival of Titus), and references contemporary theological discussions from the 2002 Global Theology Conference in Costa Rica and the 2007 'Conference on Revisioning Holiness' at Northwest Nazarene College.

2 Corinthians 1:1-11 · 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:17 · 2 Corinthians 3:1-6:10

The Holy--A Presentation 9-22-2003

A presentation transcript or lecture notes titled 'The Biblical Concept of the Holy,' likely delivered for a course at Point Loma Nazarene College. The document includes a preface discussing the Wesleyan holiness tradition, the tension between academic biblical scholarship and experiential piety within the Church of the Nazarene, and the impact of postmodern culture on evangelicalism. The author references H. Ray Dunning's work on holiness preaching and the necessity of historical and biblical interpretation. The text also incorporates reflections on the importance of divine holiness in preaching, citing Dennis Kinlaw.

1 Peter 1:13-16

Notes for Classes -- Life of Holiness & Biblical Theology

Lecture notes and course outlines for Carver's 'Life of Holiness' classes, dated February 23–24, 2009. The document details class procedures, including readings from Henri Nouwen’s 'The Way of the Heart' and Carver's own work, 'The Cross and the Spirit: Peter and the Way of the Holy.' The notes include a personal 'Morning Resolve' prayer, reflections on Carver's personal 'Rule of Devotion' developed from the influence of Kenneth Leech and Reuben Welch, and theological discussions regarding prevenient grace, the 'hidden Christ,' and Wesleyan understandings of participation in grace. The text also contains references to scholarly works by Raymond Brown, H. Ray Dunning, and Albert C. Outler.

John 5:39-47 · John 8:39-43 · John 8:46-47

T-The Holy

An article draft or lecture outline titled 'The Biblical Concept of the Holy,' focusing on perspectives from biblical theology. The text explores the concept of holiness through various theological lenses, including the works of Dennis Kinlaw, A.W. Tozer, Rudolf Otto, and Evelyn Underhill. It examines the 'mysterium tremendum' and the 'wholly other' nature of God, the Hebrew concept of 'qodesh,' and the tension between the incomprehensibility of God's essence and the knowability of His attributes. The document includes scholarly notes, references to hymn writers like Charles Wesley, and discussions on holiness as a fundamental religious category.

John 6:63

Three-III--The Musical Wesleys 2-27-05

This article, part of a seven-lesson series titled 'Our Hymnic Heritage,' provides a biographical study of Charles Wesley (1707-1788). The author examines Wesley's role as a prolific hymnist, his education at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford, and his involvement in the Holy Club. The text details his spiritual conversion in May 1738, influenced by Martin Luther's commentary on Galatians 2:20, and discusses his itinerant evangelism in Bristol and London. The author also compares Charles's ministry and theological emphasis on 'faith alone' with that of his brother, John Wesley.

Galatians 2:20 · Romans

NTS TOWER 2 Corinthians 6-7

Draft notes and reflections for a potential theological essay regarding the 'holiness tradition' in 2 Corinthians 6:4–7:16. The document contains excerpts from a commentary 'from the text' section, including an analysis of the 'sandwich character' of the passage (interspersing appeals for fellowship with an exhortation to holy living). The author outlines themes of separation from unbelief, the church as the temple of God, and the dual nature of holiness as both a decisive 'crisis' and a 'patient laborious' process. The text also includes preliminary research questions, references to scholars such as William Barclay and James Denney, and notes on future work related to global conference papers.

2 Corinthians 6:4-7:16 · 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 · 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

Biblical Foundations for the 'Secondness' of Entire Sanctification

A seminar paper, originally delivered as President of the Wesleyan Theological Society in April 1987 and subsequently published in the Wesleyan Theological Journal, exploring the hermeneutical challenges of preaching the Wesleyan message of holiness. Carver discusses his personal transition from a Methodist/Holiness background to academic New Testament studies, expressing concern over 'holiness hermeneutics' that may manipulate biblical texts. He proposes a foundational presupposition that 'holiness' can be understood as 'integrity,' arguing that biblical holiness involves both a relation of exclusive allegiance to God and a response in life to His revealed moral character. The text also touches upon the necessity of biblical primacy in Wesleyan identity and begins to address the use of the language of the holy in the Old and New Testaments.

Galatians 2:20 · 1 John

Corinthians 6-7--revisioning holiness

A draft of a commentary or sermon manuscript regarding 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1, titled "We have this ministry" and "perfecting holiness." The document includes a cover note to "Bill" explaining color-coded revisions (blue, black, and red text) and mentions the text was previously used for a Sunday School lesson. The content features an anecdotal introduction about identity and recognition, followed by an exegetical discussion of Paul's exhortation to holiness, the separation from unbelief, and the church as the temple of God. The author explores the theological significance of holiness as the foundation for mutual openness and trust within the congregation. The text also contains references to Wesleyan Holiness heritage, a comparison to Mark 10:46-52, and a note regarding a missing diagram.

2 Corinthians 6:4-7:16 · 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 · 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

The Quest for the Holy

A personal study and reflective essay written by Frank G. Carver between 1979 and 1987. The author explores the concept of 'the darkness of God' through a theological and personal lens, specifically examining the Hebrew term 'arafel' (thick darkness) in Exodus 20:18-21 as a symbol of divine presence and hiddenness. Carver connects the biblical narrative of Moses at Sinai to his own spiritual search for the essence of the 'holiness' heritage within the Church of the Nazarene, blending personal confession, devotional essay, and biblical interpretation. The text references various theological perspectives, including the works of T.S. Eliot, Saint Augustine, Blaise Pascal, and Samuel Terrien.

Exodus 20:18-21 · Psalm 97:2 · Hosea 11:1-4

WTS The Quest for the Holy

In this presentation, Frank G. Carver explores the theological concept of 'the darkness of God' as a lens through which to understand the Wesleyan and Church of the Nazarene holiness heritage. Drawing on Exodus 20:18-21, Carver examines the Hebrew term 'arafel' (thick darkness) to discuss the presence and hiddenness of the Divine. He connects Old Testament motifs of divine darkness to the spiritual writings of figures such as T.S. Eliot, St. John of the Cross, Thomas Merton, and Henri Nouwen. Carver uses this metaphor to reflect on his personal religious upbringing in the Methodist and Nazarene traditions and to pose a question regarding the contemporary Church's ability to encounter the transcendent presence of God.

Exodus 20:18-21 · Exodus 28:18-21 · Psalm 97:2