The Journal Writings of B. B. Warfield, Volume 2: “Miserable Sinner” Christianity and Christian Perfectionism

A critical, contemporary study of traditionalist, holiness, and rationalistic versions of Christianity that emerged in the late nineteenth century by a preeminent Reformed theologian A critical, contemporary study of traditionalist, holiness, and rationalistic versions of Christianity that emerged in the late nineteenth century by a preeminent Reformed theologianA critical, contemporary study of traditionalist, holiness, and rationalistic versions of Christianity that emerged in the late nineteenth century by a preeminent Reformed theologian

Presents Warfield's entire corpus of journal writings on Holiness movements from Wesley to Smith
Gives a biblically-based critique of perfectionism and/or entire sanctification
Documents Warfield's interactions with the literature of Holiness leaders
Restores more than 1,200 footnotes native the original text but frequently missing from modern digital versions
Features a fully linked TOC for navigation through nearly a thousand pages of text


Sometimes called “the spoiler of liberalism” B.B. Warfield was one of the greatest theologians America has ever produced. The foundation of his theology, of course, was rooted in the thought of the Reformation, and especially the transformative theology of John Calvin. His work both articulated the ideas of traditional Reformed theology and challenged the emerging heresies of his day.

In this volume of re:SOURCE DIGITAL’s bestselling “Journal Writing” series, B.B. Warfield thoroughly refutes traditional Protestantism against the critiques of Enlightenment rationalism as articulated by Albert Ritschl and allies.B.B. Warfield thoroughly refutes traditional Protestantism against the critiques of Enlightenment rationalism as articulated by Albert Ritschl and allies.

Warfield also engages the extremes of America's early “perfectionist” or “entire sanctification” movement populary articulated by the Methodists and John Wesley, but then carried forward by extremists of the Holiness Movement such as Charles Finney, Jean-Frédéric Oberlin, Asa Mahan, William Boardman, James Caughey, Dr. Walter Palmer, Phoebe Palmer, William Haslam, Hannah Whitall Smith, and many others.

Articles includedArticles included

“Miserable Sinner” Christianity in the Hands of the Rationalists, Part 1: From Ritschl to Wernle
Originally published in The Princeton Theological Review, vol. 18, no. 2 (1920)

“Miserable Sinner” Christianity in the Hands of the Rationalists, Part 2: From Clemen to Pfleiderer
Originally published in The Princeton Theological Review, vol. 18, no. 3 (1920)

“Miserable Sinner” Christianity in the Hands of the Rationalist, Part 3: From Windisch and the End
Originally published in The Princeton Theological Review, vol. 18, no. 4 (1920)

Albert Ritschl and His Doctrine of Christian Perfection, Part 1, Ritschl the Rationalist
Originally published in The Princeton Theological Review, vol. 17, no. 4 (1919)

Albert Ritschl and His Doctrine of Christian Perfection, Part 2: Ritschl the Perfectionist
Originally published in The Princeton Theological Review, vol. 18, no. 1 (1920)

Oberlin Perfectionism, Part 1: The Men and Beginnings
Originally published in The Princeton Theological Review, vol. 19, no. 1 (1921)

Oberlin Perfectionism, Part 2: Mahan’s Type of Teaching
Originally published in The Princeton Theological Review, vol. 19, no. 2 (1921)

Oberlin Perfectionism, Part 3: The Development of the Oberlin Teaching
Originally published in The Princeton Theological Review, vol. 19, no. 3 (1921)

Oberlin Perfectionism, Part 4: The Theology of Charles G.