Definition
Carnality (also: carnal) denotes the condition of inner domination by the flesh — the Adamic, fallen nature — over the spirit. The term is distinct from flesh as a substantive: where flesh (σάρξ, sarx) names the inherent fallen nature as such, carnality names the active expression of that nature as a life-pattern. Carnality is a dynamic hamartological condition: one may be born again and yet live carnally (1 Cor. 3:1-3: Paul calls the Corinthians “carnal”). In the corpus carnality is treated as the primary obstacle to the fulfilment of God’s purposes for the church in this age.
Usage in the corpus
George Warnock
Warnock sees carnality as the core diagnosis of church history: “The sin and carnality of the Church’s long career must be taken away from her midst before she can enter into the full blessing and power of the Feast of Tabernacles.” The Church has not merely fallen individually but has structurally, generation after generation, failed to crucify the flesh in any real measure. [Warnock, The Feast of Tabernacles, Ch. 7]
Warnock links carnality directly to self-will: “By natural birth we are impelled by the desires or the WILL of the flesh and of the mind, which leads only to bondage” (Eph. 2:2-3). The fallen person is by nature negative — incapable of victory from within: “We are negative by nature, and victory is not ours by blindly refusing to acknowledge our own futility.” [Warnock, Evening and Morning, Ch. 1, 4]
Cees Noordzij
Noordzij approaches carnality as the condition of inner dividedness: “In them the soulish prevails, seeking satisfaction for the flesh (Col. 2:23). The soul wants. It craves.” Carnality is the condition preceding the crucifixion of the self: “Sonship is not an ego-trip. It is death to our self. Whoever follows the Lamb has crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24).” The way of sonship runs through the radical death to the carnal self. [Noordzij, Moses and the Way to Sonship, §20, 42]