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Chafer, Ryrie,
Pentecost, Thieme, Hodges, Bright,
Hession,
Grubb, Torrey,
Gordon, Simpson,
Tozer, Moody,
Murray
DR. ROY HESSION
Miles J. Stanford
INTRODUCTION -- Although a British evangelist, Dr. Hession has spent considerable time ministering in the States under the sponsorship of Worldwide Evangelization Crusade (Ft. Washington, Pa.). This missionary organization was founded in 1914 by C.T Studd, and was directed for many years by his son-in-law, Norman Grubb.
The book we are to consider is the best known of several written by Dr. Hession, entitled The Calvary Road. The message is similar to that of Dr. Chafer: confession of all known sin as the means of instant "by faith" filling with the Holy Spirit.
CHRISTIAN LIFE TEACHING -- Although Dr. Hession received his message from a source far removed from Dr. Chafer and Dallas Seminary, for the most part the two teachings coalesce. The main exception is that the Hession material entirely omits the identification truths and gives an erroneous view of the work of the Cross in the life of the Christian.
In the early 50's, Dr. Hession informed us that he had "tried" the Romans Six truths but they didn't "work" for him. He then encountered "revival" teaching among natives on the WEC mission field in Rwanda; the teaching of brokenness, confession and filling "worked" for him, so he decided to adopt that as his ministry.
TEACHING EMPHASIS -- In The Calvary Road Dr. Hession sets forth brokenness of self, cleansing from all sin, and filling with the Spirit. The believer must ever remain at the foot of the Cross so that he may see his utter sinfulness. Seeing Jesus broken for his sin gives the motivation for him to "break" in repentance and confession of sins day by day.
SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS -- In order to be filled with the Spirit the believer is to let self be broken as Jesus was broken for him on the Cross. To maintain that fullness he must continue to repent of and confess each sin. This to Dr. Hession is "brokenness" and the "way of victory" -- the "Calvary Road."
CONCLUSION -- "Calvary Road" never leads to the cause of sin--the self-life--never applies the Cross to that source. It is the classic example of the spiritual squirrel cage--sinning, repenting and confessing, only to continue under sin's domination. The teaching is "revival"-oriented, non-doctrinal, and characterized by exhortational pressure.
One has well observed, "It is a travesty of the Cross for men to rely upon confession and the blood, and omit any personal identification with the Cross. Such is to miss God's Plan of deliverance."