I think it is a great post prompt. In my opinion, we can always use more clarity when it comes to differentiating what words within the Wesleyan doctrine are ongoing journeys, and what ones refer to a place of arrival. For instance my question could simply be stated, “for humanity, is holiness a journey, or is it a place of arrival?” I think that this section does a good job of clarifying the two, but I think with a topic this pivotal to Wesleyan doctrine, we can always seek to find ways to explain it in a way that makes sense to all people regardless of where they are in their faith journey.
One question I have thought of is that of, “is sanctification something that has to be actively and knowingly pursued? Or are there instances where it occurs naturally?”
Furthermore, do the separate ways, (the long way, the short way) bring any clarity to my questions or do they in fact further complicate them? I think it is important that we don’t overcomplicate the path to salvation for those who have not yet stepped into it.
As we ask questions like this, we need to not only answer them as informed christians, but also answer them as those who don’t even know where to begin. That is one thing I appreciate about the text. It reads well for both informed theologians as well as those less acquainted with the academic perspectives. Dr. Bounds also does a great way putting these notes into speaking terms as well. Dr. Bounds answers questions without the need to ask them. This brings plenty of clarity to concepts that might seem confusing from the surface. One final question I might have is, “is there an even simpler way to explain the short way?”