In Part - Winter 2007 - Uncover the true origins of “holy” phrases.

Doris Barr’s feature article, “On the tablet of your heart,” shares this information:
A 2006 report* from the Barna Research Group on the topic of holiness found that “most adults remain confused, if not daunted, by the concept.” Three out of four respondents said they believe it is possible for someone to become holy, but only half said they know someone they would consider holy. And less than one-fourth would label themselves as “holy.” These percentages are only slightly higher among self-identified Christians. We can conclude, then, that most people, including many Christians, don’t understand holiness, have no personal desire to be holy, and do little to pursue personal holiness. In other words, “holy” is not the sort of label we’re likely to claim for ourselves.

*“The Concept of Holiness Baffles Most Americans.” The Barna Update, February 20, 2006.

The conclusions Doris drew from the Barna Report piqued our curiosity. Why does holiness seem so abstract and difficult a concept for 21st century individuals, including Christians? Why does holiness seem so abstract and unattainable to people in recent generations? What can churches do to make holiness more understandable and relevant a goal?

We posed these questions to BIC pastors. Here are the thoughts they had to offer. We hope that you’ll take part in the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comment boxes provided!

Most people today are weirded out by the concept of holiness, primarily because of a misunderstanding of its original meaning and heart intention. The early Israelites struggled in a similar fashion, and the Pharisees perpetuated the struggle. Across previous generations and centuries, God's people have diminished holiness to following a list of negatives: "Don't do this" and "Thou shalt not do that."

In reality, the ancient story flowing from Leviticus and echoed by Saint Peter's epistle reveals an extremely positive nature in the call to holiness. To be "set apart" was to mimic the very nature of God, to live a life flowing out of a love relationship with one's Creator. "Set apart" carries the idea of being "one of a kind," "above the norm," "totally unique." Walking in holiness is all about ordinary people relying on the Holy Spirit of Christ, learning to live extraordinary lives!
--John Pletcher, Daybreak Community Church (Limerick, Pa.)**

There seems to be a stigma associated with the term holy, perhaps because early in the 20th century there was a misappropriation of the term and theology of holiness. We used to define holiness as the things we didn't do, but the scriptural mandate to be holy conflicts with this thought pattern and ideology. Rather, the Bible shows us that holiness is an issue of the heart.

For example, holiness is not refraining from playing cards, or attending movies, or dating, or any other event we avoid. Holiness is being separated from the world and unto God wholly.
The Hebrew word has a much wider meaning than the English for holiness-
English- ethical quality
Hebrew- state or condition being consecrated unto God

Are we teaching holiness? Are we teaching and preaching that God is a holy God who demands us to be holy as well? I have observed and participated in many churches where holiness is not even an issue of concern or discussion. We have become far too concerned with the types of music, the length of service, the mode of the service, and so on. When we focus and mandate the entire word of God, we will see a resurgence of holiness in the church. The Bible clearly teaches that when Christ returns, it is for a spotless church. We know we can become spotless by His blood, but we remain spotless by obeying His word.
--Jeff T. McKinnon, Western Hills BIC (Cincinnati, Ohio)**

I do not think today's generation much different from any previous one in regard to holiness and our ability to understand or achieve it. I do believe, however, that the concept of holiness is not often taught in the church today. So, we are left to find out for ourselves what holiness is and whether or not we can achieve such a state.

When I read my Bible, I read that God is holy, Jesus is holy. Holiness is what God is. Human nature, our fallible state, makes us completely unworthy of grace, let alone holiness. So how could I ever hope to be holy?

What we are not taught is that holiness is a position in Christ, not an attainable goal that we can reach if we are righteous enough or perform enough good works. Christ paid the ultimate price so that we could be holy before God.
-- DeAnna Johnson, Bethany BIC (Thomas, Okla.)

The struggle to grasp biblical holiness is not new to the 21st century. The very integrity of its message has been diminished by teaching that there is a specific formula for experiencing holiness through a prescribed pattern of behaviors. Misunderstandings about the biblical meaning of words such as perfection and entire sanctification have created misconceptions of what it means to live a holy life.

The basic problem is poor teaching on what holiness really is. It is not a theological formula, but a biblical truth. The truth is that one needs to give him/herself to Christ (surrender) so that he/she may become more Christ like (purity). It is a directed journey where the Holy Spirit is the guide and leads into truth (holiness).

We are blessed to have these words contributed by our late friend and brother in Christ, John Byers of Messiah Village BIC (Mechanicsburg, Pa.).

It is very understandable why people are confused about the doctrine of holiness today. In years past, there was not this much confusion, but modern trends have brought this confusion.

People today hear and read so many varied messages, teachings, and instructions about being holy and living the holy life. They hear from such a wide range of people, all claiming to have the truth. They hear about holiness from those who are so like the world that there is virtually no difference. They hear the message from those who live separated from the world, yet their conduct, conversation, and attitudes echo those of the world. They hear about love, hate, dying out, living up, dressing plain, praying through, and self denial.

So, it is no surprise that people are confused about the doctrine of holiness. The surprise is that they are not more confused. People need to see the light of true holiness lived out in the lives of Christians. Not until then will this veil of confusion be taken away in order for the true teaching to come forth.
--John Geyer, Clear Creek BIC (Everett, Pa.)

Holiness is misunderstood. We must do a better job defining it. Holiness is an identity issue. When the Holy Spirit comes into you, He makes you holy, a new creature.

Read Romans 7:4-6. These verses remind us that we have a new identity, a new freedom. The problem is that we tell people that they need to “behave” and be “obedient” to become holy. That's called the law and that's what Jesus came to destroy. There is no way anyone can ever be good enough. When the Holy Spirit enters you, He is God's gift to you. His grace releases holiness, new life, and a new identity in you.

Now, under grace, we need to learn how to live out that new identity. Based on God's absolute love for us, we learn to respond in absolute love back to God. Obedience isn't something to strive for under the law. Obedience is a loving response to experiencing God's love for us.

Holiness seems abstract and unattainable because we have made it religious. In other words, we tell people you must work for it, earn it, be more disciplined to obtain it. In reality, though, holiness is God in us. Holiness isn't the issue. Applying God's grace is the issue.

Look at 2 Corinthains 6:1. When we first come to God, God's grace is a free gift. Then it is our responsibility to apply that gift of grace to break free from sin and all its damage. As we grow, mature, and begin to break free from the power of sin, we are expected to grow and mature to the highest level of maturity, serving others to help them experience God's grace.

Holiness isn't unattainable - it's God's gift to us. The real issue is applying God's grace, God's love, God's power to our lives to break free from sin and all its damages.
--Anonymous contributor

In my humble opinion, I think the problem is that we have gotten away from the expository teaching of the Word. I suspect if Barna were to ask questions regarding just about any (formerly) basic Christian doctrine, they would discover that Christians are just as confused. The answer? Preach the Word.
--Walt Roberts, Crossroads BIC (Hagerstown, Md.)

If religious faith was portrayed in levels of attainment, rather than in a continuum of walking with God, then the first level would be based upon believing and accepting God. The next level would include acknowledging sin and seeking forgiveness. The following step would be obtaining forgiveness. And eventually, one would come to the concept of holiness.

If the church believes teaching holiness is important, it must first teach all the prior levels in a way which is understood and retained by its members. The proof of effective teaching is seeing the results in action in the lives of the members.

So, the church must also establish what resulting actions it expects to be exhibited by members when it teaches holiness? In what ways is holiness outwardly manifested?
--Peter H. von Keyserling, Ridge View BIC (Kents Store, Va.)

One of the greatest gifts I received (looking back) in my life was Christ. Before you say, “Oh, of course you would say that,” realize that there is a certain aspect of eternal life that was given to me in this relationship. I have heard many before say this. Many emphasize the salvation of Christ (meaning “I’m going to heaven”) and that is good. But the greatest aspect of the Gospel for me is that I have been called into the living work of Christ manifesting Himself on this earth on a daily basis. That has much more comfort to me rather than a beautiful place of “gold” that I will spend eternity.

In essence, the gift that Christ has empowered me with is Mission!

Salvation for the human race has to include Mission. It has been crucial to my growth and awareness of who Christ is to seek, see, and act (celebrate). This is not a one-time occurrence but an ongoing salvation (sort of like “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”-Philippians 2).

If we are positioned in the church like a “rear echelon,” then we will find people complaining, acting on prejudice, apathetic, and harmful for team morale. We need to create missional environments that are focused on moving from where we have typically practiced church to something else.

It is cultivating an atmosphere of moving from a goal to gather, to a goal of gathering to move.
--Joe Tenthorey, Brampton (ON) Meeting House

Holiness is a difficult concept to grasp because of the framework with which it's understood. For many, holiness is defined by the things you do not do because you're a Christian, or by things you do because you're a Christian. Rarely is holiness understood as reflecting the character of God. But when it is viewed in this light, holiness becomes relevant.

As followers of Jesus, we want to do what He did. We want to love the despised. We desire to serve the poor. We seek to lead lives laden with grace and compassion. This is holiness. It's not avoiding certain things to prevent from being “unclean.” It is acting as an imitator and ambassador of Christ, who demonstrated to us the very character of a holy God.

-- Joshua Nolt, New Hope BIC (Harrisburg, Pa.)

The terms "holy" and "holiness" have become so co-opted and confused that they should be generally discarded from the everyday vocabulary of the Church unless they are directly applied to the Trinity or perhaps sacred spaces.

We need to move away from the use of the term and instead strive to have a growing sense of God's presence in our lives and desire for obedience. In other words, we need to change the language, but not the concepts. For me, the concepts of "making progress in the Christian life," or "God being able to do more with sin than just forgive it," or "the normal Christian life being one of ongoing growth" are much better ways to express the ideas of holiness.
-- Charles Mashinter @ Wainfleet (ON) BIC

A number of reasons exist for why holiness is hard to understand. Sometimes there are complicated explanations as to what holiness is and what holiness does. Sometimes these explanations differ from one another.

Also, some people oppose the doctrine of holiness and write and preach against it. They often misrepresent the doctrine in order to discredit it, adding to the confusion of what the doctrine of holiness is.

There is confusion when it comes to defining what humanity and sin really are. Sometimes people fail to see good examples of holiness because they misjudge the motives of those who are holy, accusing them of having sinful motives. On the other hand, some people claim to be holy and commit sin. This brings confusion to others looking on trying to discern what holiness is.

The devil is also a factor. He is "the accuser of the brethren," and tries to make godly people think they have sinned when they haven't, thus weakening their faith in their own walk in the Spirit.

Present clear teaching on holiness in churches, camps, and in other settings will help believers understand holiness better. There are good examples of people who lived holy lives in the Bible, in church history, and in our present day. These examples should be pointed out in our teaching.

Here are some helpful resources for those seeking to understand and live in holiness:
    Helps to Holiness by Samuel Brengle
    The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith
    Perfect Love by J. A. Wood
   A Plain Account of Christian Perfection by John Wesley
--John Pawelski @ Dayton (Ohio) Mission BIC

Holiness nowadays is most difficult because each century puts us farther from Christ. On the way to His crucifixion (Lk 23:31, NIV), Jesus said, “…if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?" That “tree” has been drying for almost 2,000 years!

Holiness in recent generations seems abstract and unattainable because of the “increase of wickedness” and because the “love of most has [sic] grown cold” (Mt. 24:12, NIV). Churches can make holiness more understandable and relevant by showing forth Christ’s “new” command—love one another as I have loved you. “Love your neighbor” was given by Moses (Lev 19:18). BUT loving as Jesus did is to be willing to die for others, like Paul was for his jailer (Acts 16).
-- Richard Ross @ Wesley BIC (Mt. Holly Springs, Pa.)

The concept of holiness is difficult for 21st century people to grasp because we have failed to model and teach it in its most primary meaning—being Christ-like. In all our teaching, the more we focus on Christ, the more people will be able to grasp truth and see it as something practical and viable for daily living. The Hebrew word for holy, "qadosh,” simply means "other” or “different.” If we present holiness as being like Jesus, thinking, talking, acting, and reacting "differently" than the average person in society, I believe people will not only understand holiness, but also have a passionate desire to pursue this high calling from God.
-- Ken Smith, Oak Ridges BIC (Richmond Hill, ON)**

** = contribution featured in In Part magazine

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