Keswick theology
A view held among orthodox Christians
A teaching on holiness, named after conventions held at Keswick, England, which calls believers to a crisis of surrender that brings them into a higher, victorious Christian life.
Also called: Keswick, higher life, higher life movement, victorious Christian life
What it means
Keswick theology grew out of the Higher Life movement of the 1870s and the annual conventions at Keswick in England's Lake District. It teaches that many Christians live defeated lives because they try to overcome sin by their own effort. The remedy is a decisive act of full surrender and faith, after which the believer lets Christ live his life through them. The phrase "let go and let God" captures the emphasis.
Unlike Wesleyan entire sanctification, Keswick teachers did not usually claim that the sinful nature is removed; they spoke of it being counteracted by the Spirit. Keswick influenced missions, devotional writing, and many evangelical churches, and its call to wholehearted devotion has blessed many.
Reformed critics have argued that it divides Christians into two classes, ordinary and spiritual, and can make the believer too passive in the fight against sin. The Westminster and 1689 confessions describe sanctification as a lifelong struggle in which believers actively put sin to death by the Spirit's strength.
In Scripture
Paul says Christ lives in him, and he lives by faith in the Son of God, a verse central to Keswick teaching.
Believers are to count themselves dead to sin and present themselves to God.
By the Spirit believers are to put to death the deeds of the body, which critics stress against passivity.
Believers are urged to offer themselves to God as living sacrifices.
Where it comes up
Confessions: WCF 13.3; LBCF 1689 13.3
On this site: Sanctification
Related terms
Progressive sanctificationHistoric orthodoxy
The Reformed teaching that believers grow in holiness gradually throughout life, by the Spirit through ordinary means, without reaching sinless perfection before death.
Entire sanctificationA view held among orthodox Christians
The Wesleyan teaching that believers can, by a second work of grace, be freed from the inward bent to sin and filled with perfect love in this life.
Second blessingA view held among orthodox Christians
The teaching that, after conversion, believers should seek a distinct experience of the Holy Spirit that brings a new level of holiness or spiritual power.
SanctificationHistoric orthodoxy
The lifelong work of God's grace by which believers are made more holy, dying to sin and living to righteousness.