Keswick Theology: A Survey And Analysis Of The Doctrine Of Sanctification In The Early Keswick Movement -- By: Andrew David Naselli

Journal: Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal
Volume: DBSJ 13:1 (Fall 2008)
Article: Keswick Theology: A Survey And Analysis Of The Doctrine Of Sanctification In The Early Keswick Movement
Author: Andrew David Naselli


Keswick Theology:
A Survey And Analysis Of The Doctrine Of Sanctification
In The Early Keswick Movement1

Andrew David Naselli2

Large swaths of modern fundamentalism and evangelicalism chronologically separate the point when believers (1) first experience justification and (2) begin progressive sanctification. This is evident, for example, in the way many believers share their salvation testimony: “I was saved when I was eight years old, and I surrendered to Christ when I was twelve.” Or, “I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was eight years old, and I accepted Christ as my Lord when I was twelve.” This state of affairs reflects the influence of Keswick3 theology.

Keswick is a small town in the scenic Lake District of northwest England. Since 1875, it has hosted a weeklong meeting in July for the Keswick Convention. In this essay “the early Keswick movement4 refers to a movement from 1875 to 19205 that was (1) conservatively evangelical; (2) based on and distinguished by the belief that the majority

of Christians are living in defeat and that the secret to living the victorious Christian life is consecration followed by Spirit-filling; and (3) stimulated by annual conventions at Keswick, England, and literature by its propagators. “Keswick theology” refers to the view of sanctification shared by the prominent propagators of the early Keswick movement.6

This article’s thesis is that Keswick theology’s view of sanctification is theologically erroneous. It surveys the history and theology of the Keswick movement from the years 1875 to 1920 and then analyzes its theology, defending the Reformed view of sanctification.7

I. A Historical Survey Of The Early Keswick Movement

Since no theological movement exists in a vacuum, this section traces significant leaders of major movements and institutions that influenced Keswick theology (forerunners) or were influenced by it (successors) as well as Keswick’s primary proponents (propagators).

Forerunners

Wesleyan perfectionism influenced the holiness movement, which in turn influenced the early Keswick movement primarily through the higher life movement as well as Methodist and Oberlin perfectionism (see fig. 1 below).

Wesleyan Perfectionism: Perfect Love Toward God ...
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