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Entire Sanctification

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke (1760-1832) was a prominent Wesleyan minister, theologian, and scholar. He was born in Londonderry, Ireland, and following his early education became a Methodist through the preaching of two local ministers. Having been recommended to John Wesley, he was sent to Kingswood school in 1782, during which time he purchased a Hebrew Bible and began his study of the Old Testament and oriental languages. He served as an itinerant preacher until 1815, experiencing dramatic popularity, and continued his Biblical and language studies. He was a pastor in London, was elected president of the British Conference, and was an advisor on the committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society. He also served on the Wesleyan Missionary Society, and was a devout advocate of Wesley's theology. He remains best known for his 8-volume Commentary of the Bible (published 1810-26), written largely during his retirement and later missionary activities, a 30-year labor of love, knowledge and scholarship

Selections from Adam Clarke's writings on a key Christian and Wesleyan doctrine. Includes a biographical article on Clarke.

This short "treatise" is actually the twelfth chapter of Christian Theology – a selection of Adam Clarke's writings arranged by Samuel Dunn and published in 1836. It represents a key doctrine of Wesleyan theology, related to the ever controversial idea of Christian perfection. The doctrine affirms that, following a believer's justification before God, in a moment there occurs an "entire sanctification" – a complete cleansing of sin and a filling of God's full Spirit – after which a believer continues to grow in the sanctified life. As the arranged extracts indicate, Clarke very much affirms, and was devoted to, Wesley's teaching, and the scriptural testimony which undergirds it. Nevertheless the very ideas of Christian holiness and perfection will necessarily remain both provocative and inspiring wherever and whenever they are examined.

     The electronic version contains a brief account of Adam Clarke's life, with a discussion of his theology, related to this very doctrine.

Inspirational & Devotional

Sanctification