Thinkaloud | active holiness

Does the lost world care about theological nuance?

If, as Salvationist historians tell us, holiness preaching and practice was the strength of The Salvation Army during its formative and most expansionist years, then one wonders whether in these days the Army’s organizational genius has become its strength. The world-circling Salvation Army is known and respected everywhere, and its capacity to mobilize people and money to meet urgent and long-term need is widely recognized. We have become a “do everything” Army, and this has earned the applause of grateful governments a well as the gratitude of those who receive the Army’s ministrations.

This is good and as it should be. In a world where not enough is done for the less fortunate, Christians have received these instructions from Jesus: “Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16, NLB).

Followers of Jesus are meant to continue His creative activity in the world by doing works of mercy in His name. Yet these good works must not become the primary distinguishing mark of God’s people. The evidence of the Lord’s nature - His holiness - shines through lives that have been given without reserve to Him. Holiness, then, is the scriptural mark of people who do God’s work.

It is essential to be doctrinally sound. Yet what use is doctrinal correctness that is locked inside Salvation Army churches and institutions? Does the lost world really care that every “t” is crossed and every “i” is dotted, with subtle theological nuances being carefully considered? Such spiritual navel-gazing is dismissed by a skeptical world, and is an offence to God, who is active in this world’s need as well as being its redemption. Holy huddles have no place in an Army that has been called to battle, and that has been in the forefront of the holiness movement since its inception.

Two social workers were talking about the effect that the Church has on society. One of them, who has no association with The Salvation Army, said to her companion: “Have you noticed that these days the churches are taking to the streets and becoming socially active, while The Salvation Army seems to be retreating to its citadels?” These social workers are on the front line of human need, and while they know of church resources, they wonder at the absence of a Salvation Army “church” presence in the trenches with them.

What has this to do with holiness? Just this: true holiness is Christianity with its sleeves rolled up. Certainly there must be warmth and emotional satisfaction of vibrant worship, but this must lead to Christian activism, to personal involvement in the blood, sweat and tears of a hurting world. Would God really want people on a sinking ship to be praying with their eyes tightly closed rather than manning the lifeboats? Of course not!

Lest anyone think we are advocating “works” to the exclusion of “faith,” let us say, with Salvationist writer Colonel Milton Agnew, “Practical holiness is not something that begins by doing, but by being. Holiness works from the heart out to the surface.”

Is The Salvation Army still a holiness Army? By God’s grace, Yes; by continued obedience to the Holy Spirit, Yes; by living for Jesus “out there, out there, where the battle is darkest,” Yes!

Writer: Lieut.-Colonel Maxwell Ryan is a former Editor in Chief in Canada and the UK. In retirement he is a copy editor of theRubicon and the author of two series on theRubicon - Resurrected Writers and Thinkaloud.

2 Comments to Thinkaloud | active holiness

1. Max

   Once again you have hit the nail on the head. You are correct in asserting the proper doctrine is necessary but that that doctrine must be acted out. As others have said in the past “Creed must be followed by Deed”.

   At times it truly does seem that we,TSA, are retreating from interacting with the world and its needs . We forget our purpose and roots. We need to go back to the Old Wells not just for refreshment for the soul but also for those things we should be doing in reaching out to the dying world.

   As we heard at Kenny Watt’s Memorial on Friday we must be “Good Samaritans” not the Priest or Levite.

   Thanks again Max.

   Your friend , John
John Stephenson on March 1st, 2009

2. I really like (and agree) with the image of holiness as holy action as opposed to following the rules.

   Whilst I agree that we should not be “navel gazing doctrinists” I think that one problem with our movement is our lack of effective theological engagement. One problem with being a pragmatic movement is that we see discussion as a waste of time. We see theology as a task for people who sit in offices and don’t interact with the world.

   However that is not theology. Theology should be part of our process of action. Praxis, the idea of action and reflection is the proper place of theology.

   Theology as a reflection on our action, helping us learn the lessons we need to, is not the role of “navel gazing doctrinists”, it is the role of all Salvationists.
Liam Bantock on March 1st, 2009

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