Spreading Scriptural Holiness Part II

Today was the day I shared in the cabinet. I shared in my simple way of telling stories. I know I am no theologian like acting Provost, Bill Arnold or the President, Tim Tennent so I just spoke from my heart. The good news is that the subject is something I feel passionately about. The passion was fanned a little from last weeks messages from John Oswalt on holiness. I think sometimes I buy into the lies that Satan and "starchy" Christians try to wrap the holiness package in. Lies like "holiness is a huge list of do's and dont's." Or lies like "all the fun will be sucked out of your life it you take that holiness stuff too seriously." As John Oswalt put it so well, when you distill the definition down, holiness is the pure love of God. It is the pure love of God. Now, tell me, who doesn't want pure love? As I thought on this, it dawned on me that the "spreading scriptural holiness" is the Divine WHY of our mission statement:

Asbury Theological Seminary is a community called to prepare theologically educated, sanctified, Spirit-filled men and women to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world through the love of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and to the glory of God the Father.

We have the who: a community called. We have the what: to prepare....men and women. The spreading scriptural holiness is the why. This is why John Wesley came to America. This is why Francis Asbury built Bethel Academy out by Handy's Bend. This is why John Wesley Hughes built Asbury College. This is why Henry Clay Morrison walked across the street and started Asbury Theological Seminary. They wanted to spread the holy love of God throughout the world. They did it out of love. They did it for love of God and love of lost souls.

Our charge is to lay claim to this heritage and continue to spread holiness message...the message of God's pure love.