At one time there was a great deal of interest in the topic of holiness—but not so much anymore. Theological wrangling and impossible legalism has left many in the church frustrated and confused, with part of that confusion arising from idealism in the pulpit that rang hollow in the lives and experiences of ordinary believers. But what if there was significant help from God in the enterprise of living a morally triumphant life, where habitual sinning was not inevitable, and where the development of godly character was possible and found through a maturing relationship with God and growth in the Christian life? The apostle Paul certainly thought so. In Help for Holiness, author and senior pastor Paul F. Evans revisits the topic of holiness and explores Paul’s admonition that believers shouldn’t seek more rules (legalism) nor give in to moral pessimism that says we cannot help but sin every day in word, thought, and deed. Instead, through morally transformative justification and regeneration, followed by a commitment to the crucifixion of the old life in the death of Christ, we can be raised to new life, which, through ongoing surrender to the Spirit, can in fact produce the conduct and character God is looking for. In this postmodern world, we do not need to abandon an emphasis on righteous and holy living—God really has made a provision for us to succeed morally. Holiness was started by grace, and God will complete it in us by grace through the Spirit!

This book is a call for change. Even more, it calls for open conversation about change. For too long, many in the Church of the Nazarene have considered the doctrine of holiness off limits, a sacred cow, impervious to all forces of cultural modification and theological renewal. It's time for a real change, because the church needs renovation! These 100+ essays from Millennial and Xer leaders explore how holiness might be understood and lived today.

In a confused world with moral decay, we need clear direction for godly living. While the mention of holiness is not commonly heard these days, the Psalms call us to cultivate holy lives in today's society. The psalmists not only teach us how to grow in holiness but they draw us into their own rich experiences. The author explores the Psalms to give us a perspective on the nature of holiness and the many important ways we can grow in holiness. The Psalter serves as an invaluable guide for our spiritual formation as followers of Jesus Christ.

Since the 1830s, Holiness and Pentecostal movements have had a significant influence on many Christian churches, and they have been a central force in producing what is known today as World Christianity. This book demonstrates the advantages of analyzing them in relation to one another. The Salvation Army, the Church of the Nazarene, the Wesleyan Church, and the Free Methodist Church identify strongly with the Holiness Movement. The Assemblies of God and the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World identify just as strongly with the Pentecostal Movement. Complicating matters, denominations such as the Church of God (Cleveland), the International Holiness Pentecostal Church, and the Church of God in Christ have harmonized Holiness and Pentecostalism. This book, the first in the new series Studies in the Holiness and Pentecostal Movements, examines these complex relationships in a multidisciplinary fashion. Building on previous scholarship, the contributors provide new ways of understanding the relationships, influences, and circulation of ideas among these movements in the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and Southeast and East Asia. In addition to the editors, the contributors are Kimberly Ervin Alexander, Insik Choi, Robert A. Danielson, Chris E. W. Green, Henry H. Knight III, Frank D. Macchia, Luther Oconer, Cheryl J. Sanders, and Daniel Woods.

Called "a pioneer contribution" by Church History when it was first published in 1971, this volume has now been revised and enlarged by Vinson Synan to account for the incredible changes that have occurred in the church world in the last 25 years.