How can we grow closer to God? Is there a secret to spiritual life? Do we need a second blessing? Is sanctification God's work or ours? Is it instantaneous or is it a process? The nature of Christian spirituality has been widely debated throughout the history of the church. The doctrine of sanctification was one of the main fissures separating Luther from the Catholic Church. Even today different groups of Protestants disagree on how we draw closer to God. What distinguishes the different positions and what exactly is at stake in these recurring debates? To answer these questions Donald L. Alexander, professor of biblical theology at Bethel College, has brought together five scholars that represent each of the main historical Protestant traditions: Gerhard O. Forde on the Lutheran vew Sinclair B. Ferguson on the Reformed view Laurence W. Wood on the Wesleyan view Russell P. Spittler on the Pentecostal view E. Glenn Hinson on the Contemplative view With an introduction by Alexander and responses to each of the main essays by the other contributors, this Spectrum volume provides a helpful and stimulating introduction to an important doctrine of the church. Spectrum Multiview Books offer a range of viewpoints on contested topics within Christianity, giving contributors the opportunity to present their position and also respond to others in this dynamic publishing format.

John Fletcher's theology of Pentecost is generally unknown today, and this book is the first comprehensive treatise on this subject. His writings were in large part responsible for shaping the theology of early American Methodism, especially his treatise on Christian Perfection, which highlighted a theology of Pentecostal sanctification. Wood recounts the decisive influence Fletcher had on early Methodism, and shows that his writings were able to "control the opinions of the largest and most effective body of evangelical clergymen of the earth." Fletcher's views on the Holy Spirit were also relevant in the ecumenical movement, specifically with reference to the World Council of Churches Commission on Faith and Order held in Lima, Peru, in 1982. This group recommended the introduction of a liturgy of the Spirit in Christian baptism. For students and scholars or general readers interested in Methodist history and theology. Also a resource for pastors-helpful in developing a theology of Pentecost that will preach in a relevant way in the contemporary world.

This book is a post-critical conversation with modern and postmodern theology. It focuses on the narrative of history and the task of hermeneutics as the means of validating faith as opposed to the verification-epistemology of modern rational objectivism. Paul Ricoeur's philosophy of testimony is preferred as a means of bridging the extremes of modern objectivism and postmodern subjectivism. The contributions of Karl Barth, Rudolf Bultmann, Marcus Borg, N. T. Wright, J rgen Moltmann, Wolfhart Pannenberg, Gustavor Guti rrez, James Cone, Sandra Schneiders, James B. Cobb, Jr., George Lindbeck, Stanley Hauerwas, William Abraham, among others, are considered and evaluated.