The Consequences of Sanctification on Gender Roles in the Early Salvation Army, 1865–1912

The early Salvation Army’s theology of sanctification led them to theologically challenge and develop the assumed gender roles of its members. This paper argues that the early Army’s understanding of sanctification, particularly the emphasis on empowerment and eschatological fulfilment, informed and affected its approach to gender roles. The Army’s theology of sanctification had a real-term impact on the Army’s understanding of gender roles. A deeper understanding of how the Army’s theology of sanctification influenced its approach to gender roles will provide a more nuanced framework for interpreting the early Army’s claims of gender equality.