Ironside begins this volume with an autobiographical account of the role of holiness in his own conversion, and uses his personal experience to make general observations about the holiness movement. He retells the story of his childhood years and his journey toward conversion, including the formative events of his father’s death, his involvement with the Salvation Army, and his struggle with doubt. The second part of Holiness: The False and the True contains an easy-to-understand explication of the doctrine of sanctification and its role in the holiness movement.
H. A. Ironside one of the twentieth century’s greatest preachers, was born in Toronto, Canada on October 14, 1876. Though his education stopped with grammar school, his fondness for reading and a retentive memory put his learning to use. His scholarship was recognized in academic circles when he received honorary degrees from Wheaton College and Bob Jones University and was invited as frequent lecturer at Dallas Theological Seminary. Dr. Ironside was appointed to the boards of numerous Bible institutes, seminaries, and Christian organizations. He also served as director of the Africa Inland Mission. Ironside preached widely throughout the United States and abroad. He served as pastor of Moody Memorial Church from 1930 to 1948, and during his lifetime, he preached more than 7,000 sermons to over 1.25 million listeners.
“Freed from all theological accretions, the naked verb ‘to sanctify’ means to set apart, and the noun ‘sanctification’ means, literally, separation. This simple key will unlock every verse we have been considering, and bring all into harmony where discord seemed complete.” (Page 48)
“Sanctification, in the Christian sense, is therefore twofold—absolute and progressive.” (Page 49)
“The old covenant asked of man what it never got—that is perfect obedience; because it was not in man to give it. The new covenant guarantees all blessing through the work of Another; and from the knowledge of this springs the desire to obey on the part of the object of such grace.” (Page 60)
“Absolute sanctification is by the one offering of Christ on the cross, and will be treated of further on. Progressive sanctification is looked at in two ways: it is by the Spirit and by the Word.” (Page 50)
“Night after night I attended the meetings, speaking on the street and indoors, and I soon noticed (and doubtless others did too) that a change came over my ‘testimonies.’ Before, I had always held up Christ, and pointed the lost to Him. Now, almost imperceptibly, my own experience became my theme, and I held up myself as a striking example of consecration and holiness! This was the prevailing characteristic of the brief addresses made by most of the ‘advanced ‘Christians in our company. The youngest in grace magnified Christ. The ‘sanctified’ magnified themselves.” (Page 19)