A Presentation of Perfection - Media Sabda Org

own shed blood, and the sanctifying agent, the Holy Spirit. The Son's work is
external, the Spirit's internal, or in philosophic terms, the work of the one is
objective, that of the other is subjective; the one sanctifies provisionally and the other
effectually. [30]
Steele was definitely influenced by Palmer's view of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For example,
in the book The Gospel of the Comforter he has much to say about the Holy Spirit. Some chapter
titles include: "The Spirit's Work in Regeneration," "Two Perceptions of the Holy Spirit," "The
Witness of the Spirit," and "The Fulness of the Spirit." One has said, "In this definitive volume
Steele endeavors to harmonize this view with both the New Testament and Wesleyan doctrine." [31]
Steele has had a significant effect on the theological development of the holiness movement. It
would not be an overstatement to say Steele's teaching established an orthodoxy for the holiness
movement.
A. M. Hills
Hills, a great holiness writer and preacher, was influenced by Finney and Mahan. In fact he wrote
a book called Life of Charles G. Finney. Hills also wrote a book called Homiletics and Pastoral
Theology which he dedicated to Finney. The dedication reads:
To the sacred memory of Charles G. Finney, at whose feet we sat and whose voice
we heard, Sabbath after Sabbath, during the four formative years of our college
course and the equal of whom as an effective ambassador for Christ, after studying
preachers for more than half a century, we are free to say we never saw either in
America or Europe. [32]
Even though Hills highly respected Finney and believed strongly in Pentecostal understanding of
sanctification, he did not embrace all of what Oberlin Perfection proposed. Hills endorsed and
strongly believed in the baptism of the Spirit but had difficulty with Oberlin's definition and
treatment of sin. In Hills' book Holiness and Power several weaknesses with the Oberlin position
were pointed out. Hills stated the Oberlin theory and then gave several critiques to the doctrine as
Finney and others proclaimed it:
President Finney, than whom no man of the century has been more revered by the
writer, and no other has experienced a greater influence upon his life, as we have
seen, held a peculiar theory of sin and depravity, denying that man's nature was
depraved. All sin was in the wrong use of the will; moral quality could be affirmed
of nothing else. [33]
Hills continued his critique:
If, as President Finney contended, man had absolute freedom of will to choose the
right and reject the wrong, and that choice, when made, secured his holiness and
sanctification, then it follows logically that any man can regenerate and sanctify
himself in a moment by a simple act of will. Nothing can be more opposed to the