Book Review: Holiness

“…I am often more bothered by others’ failures than by my own shortcomings.  I tend to minimize or rationalize in my life certain offenses that disturb me when I see them in others.” (pg. 20)  As I read these words I realized that they easily could have come from my own journal.  This is a struggle I face daily, as I clearly see the sins and shortcomings of others, but fail to see, or address them, in myself as faithfully. 

Nancy Leigh DeMoss, in her book Holiness: The Heart God Purifies, says:

“The message of repentance and holiness needs to be proclaimed, heard, and heeded among God’s people in every generation.  It must become more than a theological tenet that we politely nod agreement to; it needs to transform the way we think that the way we live.” (pg. 21)

This book does just that.  It clearly proclaims the message of holiness, and its importance in the life of the believer.  But, it also gives the reader opportunity to make it personal – to transform sinful patterns in their own lives, and passionately pursue holiness.

In chapter one, she lists several common misconceptions surrounding holiness:  

Somber, straitlaced people with outdated hair and clothing styles 

An austere, joyless lifestyle based on a long list of rules and regulations 

A monk-like existence – “holy” people talk in hushed tones, spend hours a day in prayer, always have their nose in the Bible or a spiritual book, fast frequently , hum hymns under their breath, and have no interest in “normal” life activities 

People with a judgmental attitude toward those who don’t accept their standards 

A unattainable ideal that has more to do with the sweet by-and-by than the real world, which is right here, right now (pg. 28) 

But, as this book reveals, this caricatured misunderstanding is not what true holiness is about.  Instead, “it is a warm, joyous, loving response to the God who loves us and created us to enjoy intimate fellowship with Him.” (pg. 37)  But, too often we fail to see holiness for what it truly is, because we do not see sin for what it really is.

“Somehow, the evangelical world has managed to redefine sin; we have come to view it as normal, acceptable behavior – something perhaps to be tamed or controlled, but not to be eradicated and put to death.  We have sunk to such lows that we can not only sin thoughtlessly, but, astonishingly, we can even laugh at sin and be entertained by it.” (pg. 75) 

In chapter 4, “The Face of Holiness,” DeMoss gives us a vivid picture of what holiness can, and should, look like in our lives, as it was lived out in the person of Christ.  As DeMoss describes Christ’s holiness in so many areas of life, she reminds us that, “the call to holiness is a call to follow Christ.  A pursuit of holiness that is not Christ-centered will soon be reduced to moralism, pharisaical self-righteousness, and futile self-effort.” (pg. 103)  In the Foreward to this book, Randy Alcorn similarly notes that

“God is the reason that we should be holy.  But He’s also the empowerment for our holiness.  Many of us are convinced that we should be more holy, but we’ve gone about it wrong.  To be holy in our strength, and for our glory, is to be distinctly unholy.  To be holy in Christ’s strength and for His glory…that’s our calling, and our joy.”  (pg. 10) 

At the end of chapters 6 and 7, DeMoss changes the tone of the book, and moves from an academic look at the various aspects of holiness, to a more reflective, personal application.  She offers several pointed questions to stimulate thinking, repentance, and accountability.

I found myself convicted by the biblical truths in this book.  I appreciated her honesty and boldness in exhorting believers to pursue a biblical standard of holiness, instead of accepting “the philosophy that it’s okay for Christians to look, think, act, and talk like the world.” (pg. 176)  I think that this book would be a useful tool for anyone who is serious about intentionally, and passionately pursuing holiness.

“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” ~1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV)