Keswick Theology

Some Christians want to make a distinction between Jesus being your Savior and Jesus being your Lord. This comes from what is known as Keswick Theology or commonly known as higher life theology. Even though it originated in Britain, it was brought to the United States and promoted by D.L. Moody. Practically speaking, what Keswick Theology looks like is a two-tiered Christianity. The first stage can be classified as "carnal Christianity," and the second stage can be classified as "spiritual Christianity." To move from the lower to the higher state takes a definite act of faith or 'consecration,' the prerequisite to being filled with the Spirit. This consecration means an "absolute surrender," almost always described by the Biblical term "yielding." Thus the main idea is a movement from the Christian's original conversion experience to receive a second experience within the realm of living the Christian life.

Why should this concern us? It should concern us because Keswick Theology downplays the seriousness of original sin in the life of the Christian... Frankly, the most tragic result of this theology is that its material principle becomes a message of Law where the goal is the second level, and the means to accomplish it is the Christian working to yield just a little more and to surrender just a bit more. Instead of returning to Christ saving blood and one's baptism, That theology shifts the focus away from Justification towards a man-centered Sanctification. One could fairly state that Keswick Theology separates Sanctification from Justification, thus allowing for a Crossless Sanctification to emerge. In summary, there is no such thing as a two-tiered Christianity.

Furthermore, our goal is not to journey to a second level but to abide in Christ. We never journey away from Christ, even if that which we journey to is right, holy, and just. Instead, we progress by beginning again daily Jesus'us' death and resurrection for us.

-Pr. Matt Richard