The Use of the Aorist Tense in Holiness Exegesis.

This article presents a critical analysis of the appeal to the aorist tense made by many holiness theologians to support their understanding of the "crisic" nature of sanctification. Following an investigation of how this interpretation arose, there is a summary of the understanding of the aorist tense in such scholars as A T Robertson and J H Moulton. This summary shows that while the aorist tense can refer to crisic action, it need not do so. The question of whether it does or not can only be decided in light of the context and meaning of the verb. Finally, the implications of this conclusion are illustrated by exegeting several "holiness" passages that use aorist verbs.

Duke Scholars

Author Randy L. Maddox Divinity School