Is This Only for Methodists?
Drawn from the teaching of Professor Gary S. Maxey · 2 min read
Professor Gary Maxey is a Wesleyan holiness teacher. That leads some readers to ask whether his message belongs to one denomination. The honest answer has two parts.
The roots
The teaching of a deeper cleansing of the heart is closely linked with John Wesley, who spoke of Christian perfection. Professor Maxey quotes Wesley freely. He also draws on others in the same stream, such as Colonel Samuel Brengle of the Salvation Army, John Oswalt, G. D. Watson, Hannah Whitall Smith and William Booth.
Beyond one church
But he does not confine the message to one denomination. In his book on the Highway of Holiness, he also names Madame Guyon, Rees Howells and Andrew Murray among his heroes. He cites Charles Spurgeon of London, a Baptist, who spoke of Christians living far below their privileges. He draws on Oswald Chambers. He names Nigerian leaders whom he sees walking this Highway.
Revival history he describes also crosses lines. The East Africa Revival unfolded in the Anglican Church. Azusa Street was Pentecostal. The Civil War Revival in Nigeria was shaped by Scripture Union.
Different words, similar hope
Professor Maxey refuses to fight over terms. He writes that he sees no reason to reject dogmatically the various views of Spirit baptism. Believers from many traditions use other words for what he describes, such as the filling of the Spirit, the deeper life, or full surrender. They may not agree on every point, but many share the same hunger to be like Christ.
Where there are real differences
Reformed and Lutheran teachers, for example, take a different view of how far sin can be overcome in this life. Professor Maxey states his disagreement with them. A fair reader should hear both sides.
What this means for you
You do not need to change churches to ask God for a clean heart. You do need to read your Bible honestly and be willing to hear what the Spirit says. Start with Psalm 24, Ezekiel 36 and 1 Thessalonians 5, and let the text lead.
Drawn from the teaching of Professor Gary S. Maxey.
