Posted on 04/19/2005 6:50:13 AM PDT by logos
Holiness. In our age, this term conjures up a whole array of bizarre, outdated images. Thoughts of sour-faced, cannot-do-anything-fun legalists are surely what comes to mind for many. This is unfortunate. In a day when society is desperately searching for unshakable happiness and sturdy ethical moorings, the very thing understood least is that which is needed most - a renewed appreciation for the biblical concept of holiness.
Even within Christian circles, holiness has all too often been construed as a relatively marginal matter or a doctrinal distinctive of certain sectarian denominations, as Schaeffer frequently discovered when delivering his powerful lectures on sanctification and true spirituality. Lewis, likewise, challenged the popular notion that holiness should be relegated to the periphery. In fact, in a book about "mere Christianity," the classical faith of the church, Lewis insists that Christianity is about nothing other than God's offer to make us like Christ. Moreover, he explains the great doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation in just these terms. Holiness is not a sideline issue or the concern of only those with esoteric interests, but rather it is the heart of the faith.
Now, the notion of holiness will be properly understood only if we view it through relational lens. If interpreted through a fundamentally forensic grid, this doctrine will naturally appear to be heavily lacquered with a thick tar of legalism. Holiness cannot be reduced to a set of rigid rules without slipping into a tedious and repellent moralism. Unfortunately, this legal view of holiness pervades the contemporary mindset both inside and outside the church, which largely explains this doctrine's widespread neglect.
Lewis's view of holiness, by contrast, is richly relational, which opens up a whole new dimension of splendor. Certainly this doctrine includes the moral renewal we so desperately need, but it is more than that. It is also a vision of the beauty and meaning of life than answers to our deepest longings for settled satisfaction. Holiness is not an oppressive burden meant to beat us down but rather a pathway of purity designed to lead us "further up and further in", to the unfathomable delights of the celestial city and the everlasting arms of our holy heavenly Father. When reflecting on his initial encounter with MacDonald's Phantastes, Lewis contrasted the truncated forensic view of holiness with the real thing.
I should have been shocked in my teens if anyone had told me that what I learned to love in Phantastes was goodness. But now I know, I see there was no deception. The deception is all the other way around - in that prosaic moralism which confines goodness to the region of Law and Duty, which never lets us feel in our face the sweet air blowing from "the land of righteousness," never reveals that elusive Form which if once seen must inevitably be desired with all but sensuous desire - the thing "more gold than gold".
One of the most pressing assignments for the twenty-first century apologist is to strip away the deception that keeps people from seeing the heart of the Christian faith - the biblical doctrine of holiness - in all its golden glory and spectacular splendor. This means we must consciously reject today's dominant, stifling legal grid in favor of one that is profoundly liberating and richly relational.
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I've always strived to be one of those happy-faced, always-having-fun legalists myself :D
Thanks for the ping. I am really enjoying this series!
You're welcome. I think there are any number of valuable insights here for the usual participants of the Religion Forum - if they would take them in the spirit intended.
Absolutely true. In fact, it should be considered liberating - and is, to those who understand it.
You're so right, A-G.
Wow! I'm thrilled to be a party to your GMTA! Hugs!!!
"This means we must consciously reject today's dominant, stifling legal grid in favor of one that is profoundly liberating and richly relational"
"I've always strived to be one of those happy-faced, always-having-fun legalists myself"
I'm with you on this one. It is harder for me, as I grow older, to not fall back on relying on legalisms rather than the liberating grace of God.
Me, too. I find that as I grow older, I am increasingly irritated by obstacles in my path, and "legalisms" are a tempting, expedient way to clear that path.
I have turned to James 1:2-4 more and more in recent days, learning the wisdom of patience and endurance. I also find it relevant to my continued presence on FR :)
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony!
"learning the wisdom of patience and endurance. I also find it relevant to my continued presence on FR :)"
You have beeen on it longer than I have but I understand where you are coming from. I try to see and use humor in posting but a lot of times it takes a lot of squinting.
Wonderful topic, but awful article. Consider this. Christian education centered on exemplum or the imitation of Christ. People contemplated and aspired to holiness, mainly through the lives of the saints. Consider the negative examples our media offers us instead. Can we learn to ge holy by watching the Michael Jackson trial?
So beautiful, logos. I've come to think of this holy vision as coming into a living awareness of the sacred within the world.... The promptings of the Holy Spirit can guide us in this.
Personally, I find that if a person enjoys the great sagas of good v evil - even a movie series such as the Lord of the Rings - and cheers for triumphant goodness, then a "connection" and "language" exists to proclaim Christ, introduce the Gospel or discuss Spiritual matters.
OTOH, if the person is drawn to pop idols with menacing facial expressions and vulgar lyrics - then I know the field must first be plowed before planting a seed.
My two cents...
Thank you for your insight, my dear sister in Christ!
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