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God's Way of Holiness
Horatius Bonar was a Scottish churchman and popular Christian writer who served as the editor for The Quarterly journal of Prophecy for over 25 years. This edition was Bonar’s God’s Way of Holiness includes a table of contents.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1864
138 people are currently reading
320 people want to read
About the author
Horatius Bonar
563 books43 followersHoratius Bonar (19 December, 1808 – 31 May, 1889) was a Scottish churchman and poet.
The son of James Bonar, Solicitor of Excise for Scotland, he was born and educated in Edinburgh. He comes from a long line of ministers who have served a total of 364 years in the Church of Scotland. One of eleven children, his brothers John James and Andrew Alexander were also ministers of the Free Church of Scotland. He had married Jane Catherine Lundie in 1843 and five of their young children died in succession. Towards the end of their lives, one of their surviving daughters was left a widow with five small children and she returned to live with her parents. Bonar's wife, Jane, died in 1876. He is buried in the Canongate Kirkyard.
In 1853 Bonar earned the Doctor of Divinity degree at the University of Aberdeen.
He entered the Ministry of the Church of Scotland. At first he was put in charge of mission work at St. John's parish in Leith and settled at Kelso. He joined the Free Church at the time of the Disruption of 1843, and in 1867 was moved to Edinburgh to take over the Chalmers Memorial Church (named after his teacher at college, Dr. Thomas Chalmers). In 1883, he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland.
The son of James Bonar, Solicitor of Excise for Scotland, he was born and educated in Edinburgh. He comes from a long line of ministers who have served a total of 364 years in the Church of Scotland. One of eleven children, his brothers John James and Andrew Alexander were also ministers of the Free Church of Scotland. He had married Jane Catherine Lundie in 1843 and five of their young children died in succession. Towards the end of their lives, one of their surviving daughters was left a widow with five small children and she returned to live with her parents. Bonar's wife, Jane, died in 1876. He is buried in the Canongate Kirkyard.
In 1853 Bonar earned the Doctor of Divinity degree at the University of Aberdeen.
He entered the Ministry of the Church of Scotland. At first he was put in charge of mission work at St. John's parish in Leith and settled at Kelso. He joined the Free Church at the time of the Disruption of 1843, and in 1867 was moved to Edinburgh to take over the Chalmers Memorial Church (named after his teacher at college, Dr. Thomas Chalmers). In 1883, he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 13, 2021
De fato, um clássico. Que alegria poder publicar esta preciosidade pela Monergismo!
July 4, 2023
This book lays out sanctification as God’s work through us by the Spirit because of Christ’s finished work on the cross. “It is forgiveness that sets a man working for God.” Easy to understand law/gospel distinction. Abundant scripture references. Clear picture of gospel simplicity! This is by far one of my favorite books now.
”He that would be holy or useful must keep near the cross.”
”He that would be holy or useful must keep near the cross.”
February 2, 2025
A wonderful explanation and meditation on the Christian’s necessary pursuit of holiness that is grounded upon the sure salvation in Christ. I really appreciate Horatius’ gift of language/illustration to bring out the beauty and clarity of biblical truth - no wonder he is known as a poet and great hymn writer (“I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” is one of my all-time favorite hymns).
July 5, 2022
Probably the best book on sanctification I have ever read. The root of holinesss is “peace with God” and the soil in which holiness grows in the “free grace of God”. This book demonstrates clearly what with law gospel distinction looks like in practice. Away with the legalism of divorcing sanctification from justification. This book is a clear answer to those who have been yoked to a Jonathan Edwards or Richard Baxter understanding of “Faith”, “justification”, and “holiness”.
Horatius along with Paul and Jesus were labeled “antinomians” for how free they preached the gospel. Yet all three give reasons for why the law is ti be a believers guide or rule of life. These chapters were so helpful in critiquing those who divorce the NT precepts from the OT moral law like the 10 commandments.
I could go on but this book is a must read.
Horatius along with Paul and Jesus were labeled “antinomians” for how free they preached the gospel. Yet all three give reasons for why the law is ti be a believers guide or rule of life. These chapters were so helpful in critiquing those who divorce the NT precepts from the OT moral law like the 10 commandments.
I could go on but this book is a must read.
April 29, 2023
The best book on sanctification that I have ever read. Also a wealth of practical wisdom and understanding on what the Christian life should look like as we by the power of the Spirit walk with God.
“In living for Christ, we must follow Him fully, not copying a copy, but copying Himself; otherwise ours will be an imperfect testimony, a reflected and feeble religion, devoid of ease, and simplicity, and grace, bearing the marks of imitation and art, if not of forgery.”- Horatius Bonar
“In living for Christ, we must follow Him fully, not copying a copy, but copying Himself; otherwise ours will be an imperfect testimony, a reflected and feeble religion, devoid of ease, and simplicity, and grace, bearing the marks of imitation and art, if not of forgery.”- Horatius Bonar
July 8, 2024
This book, really, is Bonar's argument for Christ's continual work of sanctification upon the believer, which turns into a pastoral exhortation for a life lived with Christ. Bonar's work is thorough, and doesn't tend to stray to far from the simple and foundational aspects of sanctification. The chapter on 'The Saint and the Seventh Chapter of Romans" is a highlight.
August 20, 2022
Next to Dane Ortlund’s “deeper”, this book deserves its place among the Mount Rushmore of biblical and pastoral treatments of sanctification by Sola Gratia and Sola Fide in Solus Christus. Trust Christ and calm down.
June 19, 2017
This book is best read along with God's Way of Peace and it's best to read God's Way of Peace first. God's Way of Peace talks about justification, whereas this book talks about sanctification.
I've read both the books and I had such high expectations for both because of the raving reviews online. I had such high expectations that were unfortunately not met. It's not that the book was bad, rather, I expected both books to be ground breaking, yet they were sadly not.
The one aspect of this book that I really disliked is the way it was written. I know that Bonar was writing during the Victorian era, but it was really hard to read. This wouldn't be a problem for a smart & intellectual reader, but for a reader like me - it was horrible.
Moreover, many parts of the book were really dry and repetitive.
Having said that, would I recommend this book? I would, purely because the last three chapters alone make this book worth reading! The last three chapters had great insights on sanctification.
So despite this book being hard to read for a reader like me, I would still recommend plodding through it for the sake of the last three chapters!
I've read both the books and I had such high expectations for both because of the raving reviews online. I had such high expectations that were unfortunately not met. It's not that the book was bad, rather, I expected both books to be ground breaking, yet they were sadly not.
The one aspect of this book that I really disliked is the way it was written. I know that Bonar was writing during the Victorian era, but it was really hard to read. This wouldn't be a problem for a smart & intellectual reader, but for a reader like me - it was horrible.
Moreover, many parts of the book were really dry and repetitive.
Having said that, would I recommend this book? I would, purely because the last three chapters alone make this book worth reading! The last three chapters had great insights on sanctification.
So despite this book being hard to read for a reader like me, I would still recommend plodding through it for the sake of the last three chapters!
October 13, 2025
Whenever I pick up this book, I always leave with a greater zeal for holiness in the smallest details of life. There are very few books in the world that address, holiness in such a pointed, pastoral, and profound way.
September 12, 2025
"It does not need to be a long life; a short one may be as true and holy as a long one."
How timely following Kirk's assassination.
May have been worth reading for the last page alone, spoilers:
seek to shine as lights in the world-reflections of Him who is its light-the one straight, pure thing of earth.
Let us then shine! Stars indeed, not suns; but still stars, not tapers nor meteors. Let us shine! Giving perhaps slender light, but that light certain and pure; enough to say to men 'It is night, lest they mistake, but not enough to bring day; enough to guide the seeking or the erring in the true direction, but not enough to illuminate the world. The sun alone can do that. It is the sun that shows us the landscape; stars show but themselves. Let us then show ourselves beyond mistake. The day when all things shall be seen in full warm light is the day of the great sun-rising.
'The night is far spent; the day is at hand. We shall not set nor be clouded; we shall simply lose ourselves in light.
And we need not grudge thus losing ourselves, when we call to mind that the splendour in which our light is to be absorbed is that of the everlasting Sun. It is His increasing that is to be our decreasing, and shall we not say, "This my joy therefore is fulfilled?
How timely following Kirk's assassination.
May have been worth reading for the last page alone, spoilers:
seek to shine as lights in the world-reflections of Him who is its light-the one straight, pure thing of earth.
Let us then shine! Stars indeed, not suns; but still stars, not tapers nor meteors. Let us shine! Giving perhaps slender light, but that light certain and pure; enough to say to men 'It is night, lest they mistake, but not enough to bring day; enough to guide the seeking or the erring in the true direction, but not enough to illuminate the world. The sun alone can do that. It is the sun that shows us the landscape; stars show but themselves. Let us then show ourselves beyond mistake. The day when all things shall be seen in full warm light is the day of the great sun-rising.
'The night is far spent; the day is at hand. We shall not set nor be clouded; we shall simply lose ourselves in light.
And we need not grudge thus losing ourselves, when we call to mind that the splendour in which our light is to be absorbed is that of the everlasting Sun. It is His increasing that is to be our decreasing, and shall we not say, "This my joy therefore is fulfilled?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2023
The part 2, or sequel, or continuation of "God's Way of Peace" is one of the best and most clear journey's through the doctrine of sanctification I've seen yet. He's becoming one of my favorite authors, and there's some examples in this book that show nothing we deal with today is a new concept or idea. I was surprised by chapter 6 and it refreshing to see a clear and biblically correct law gospel explained. Many books I've read so far why away from this and this one didn't which was nice. Highly recommend this book, as well as God's Way of Peace.
November 29, 2020
Great little book
There is so much confusion these days about grace and law, justification and sanctification. This book says more clearly than anything else I’ve read how to order our thinking and ground our living in the reality of Christ’s life death resurrection and glorification on our behalf. Confused about the goal or purpose of the Christian life, then this is the book for you.
There is so much confusion these days about grace and law, justification and sanctification. This book says more clearly than anything else I’ve read how to order our thinking and ground our living in the reality of Christ’s life death resurrection and glorification on our behalf. Confused about the goal or purpose of the Christian life, then this is the book for you.
June 3, 2023
It was good. A little difficult to read at times especially when I was distracted by other things. It requires dedicated focus, but well worth the effort. The one thing from this book that will stick with me is his statement in chapter 8 on the importance of redeeming the time. It was a real kick in the pants.
December 29, 2019
I was impressed with this read due to the fact that it was written so long ago, when religion was made to be a certain way, but yet it is written in a very open-minded manner with good advice and guidance.
August 7, 2021
Wonderful
One of the best books on the Christian life I've ever read. Depth of insight and application, beautiful writing, powerful conviction - each page has as much real substance of idea as a whole chapter of a modern day book. A gem to reread often.
One of the best books on the Christian life I've ever read. Depth of insight and application, beautiful writing, powerful conviction - each page has as much real substance of idea as a whole chapter of a modern day book. A gem to reread often.
October 17, 2024
A beautiful explanation of what it means to grow more and more into the likeness of Jesus. The chapter “The Saint and the Law” was the best articulation of the Reformed doctrine of sanctification that I have ever read. A great read for anyone who wants to grow.
September 8, 2025
I valued and needed this book’s insights on topics not brought up today
There were many parts of this book that were invaluable to me; duty has been doubled not canceled, love is not the rule but the motive, Love goes to the law to learn the divine will, etc.
There were many parts of this book that were invaluable to me; duty has been doubled not canceled, love is not the rule but the motive, Love goes to the law to learn the divine will, etc.
November 19, 2019
Down to earth
This book gives good nitty gritty wisdom on the way of holiness. Well worth the read it serious about your walk with Jesus.
This book gives good nitty gritty wisdom on the way of holiness. Well worth the read it serious about your walk with Jesus.
March 17, 2023
Absolutely fantastic! Beautifully describes that the Christian life of pursuing holiness is a life United to Christ…not vain legalism. So so helpful.
November 16, 2023
One of the best books on holiness I’ve read!
March 19, 2024
Horatius Bonar wrote God’s Way of Holiness which came out in 1864. This teaching is helpful to devoted Christians who want to learn about holiness as they draw closer to God.
December 12, 2016
Bonar rich hymns have blessed me, so I decided to read one of his books. It was like sitting down with a wise old preacher who shared his insights on God's path to holiness related to various theological perspectives. His in-depth discussion on the law use for today was quite dense, but overall I enjoyed this book, especially the last chapter two chapters.
April 23, 2012
Rule #1 for all great books: the worse the cover, the better the content. Such is the same for this gem of a book. I loved his honest pietism towards growing in the Lord.
September 30, 2019
The theological content I would give a 4 or 5 rating on. The older writing style made it a little difficult to read at times. It is still worth reading because of the content.
April 20, 2021
Maravilha de livro. Preciso reler e reler.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews