Seeking Perfectionism

Therefore leaving the principles of the 

doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;

 not laying again the foundation of repentance 

from dead works, and of faith toward God, 

of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying 

on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, 

and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, 

if God permit. For it is impossible for those 

who were once enlightened, and have tasted 

of the heavenly gifts, and were made partakers 

of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good 

word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 

if they shall fall away, to renew them again 

to repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves 

the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.

Hebrews 6:1-6 

     Cultural Christians have a doctrine of heresy, one that is taught at the School of the Supernatural, Bethel Church here in Redding, CA. Even Authentic Christians may have misunderstanding as to the word "perfectionism." Perfectionism is an ancient heresy that teaches that a person in this life can achieve total victory over sin. Those who have adopted this heresy, even though they may not admit it, have a kind of elitism, a feeling that have something more, that they have reached a higher plane as a Christian. those who have fallen into this heresy may at first admit or give credit to God for their perfectionism, but as is seen by they words, their actions they fall prey to smugness, and pride, it has a way of creeping in. There is a peril to this heresy as it, and in a serious way, distort the human mind, and this because a person who thinks that they can reach perfection in this life, one in which they have reached a state of sinlessness, suffer from an over estimation of their moral character and performance. There is irony in this heresy as it seeks to distance itself from antinomianism, it comes to full circle to the same error. If a person seeks or say that they have found perfectionism they have seriously underestimated the requirements of God's law.

     The heresy of perfectionism lead to the Holiness Movement that began in the 19th century. The Second Great Awakening led many people and Churches to seek this idea of Holiness as a Movement. Pentecostalism began with all seriousness seeking revival and this gave rise to several denominations to include Pentecostalism in their doctrines. 

     This will sound bias, but do not take it so, women have, in the Church, brought forth many heresies, and cults. Amiee McPherson, Mary Baker Eddy, Ellen G. White, and others, as well as Pheobe Palmer by her evangelism and writings articulated a shorter way to entire sanctification, this being achieved by placing oneself on a metaphorical alter by sacrificing worldly desires. What Palmer did was to make sanctification an instantaneous act accomplished through the exercise of faith. Those participating in this act would be assured that God would sanctify them, that is was God's will. The Pentecostal denomination taught, and do teach today, entire sanctification, or series of blessings, conversion, new birth, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit marked by speaking in tongues. The explanation, given by Ted A Campbell, a theologian was that the Holy Spirit cannot fill an unclean vessel, so there must be a cleansing of the heart and then be filled by the baptism of the Holy Spirit and then a person has reached sinless perfection. 

     Some of what is taught has a "ring" of truth, as do all lies, but perfectionism is not taught in Scripture. Salvation is complete and simply received by faith. The fruit that comes from salvation, those "good works," are simply the result of our faith and salvation. Cultural, and even liberal Christians are attempting to become "god-like," a problem from the beginning of man as can be seen that Satan told Eve that if she would eat of the fruit she would become god-like, others, Nimrod, and more sought gods, and made gods for themselves, this is a trait of man. Yet, if we are seeking to be "god-like" and this due to our being saved our salvation is in doubt because our being "god-like" is never perfect in this life. There is no comfort in attempting to be "god-like" as any sane person must admit, bad thoughts, even bad actions occur in this life so a person in actuality is never perfect. Comfort comes from God's declaration of full and free forgiveness. Authentic Christians are those who grow in God's grace and become more and more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Authentic Christians, on the perfect word of God, reject perfectionism. Sin, as must be acknowledged affects one's motives and actions. Therefore, perfection only comes after death, when we reach heaven and be transformed by God into the people that God intended for all, to restore that what was lost, and this comes only after we have entered into eternity by faith in Jesus Christ. 

      The writer of Hebrews give solemn warning that those who fall away from the truth, those who have never come to the truth, to accept the truth, those who have added to Scripture and will not repent will be lost forever. It is time for Authentic Christians to return to the faith once delivered and turn from those heresies that are plaguing the Church, it is time for Cultural, or liberal Christians to repent and enter into God's rest as Authentic Christians. It is not too late, but the time is now!

Be still, and know that I am God:

     I will be exalted among the heathen;

I will be exalted in the earth.

                     Psalm 46:10

Do not leave the principles of Jesus Christ

Richard L. Crumb