Rethinking Holiness: A Theological Introduction

by Bernie a Van De Walle

Holiness is experiencing a renaissance both within and beyond the church today. Based on years of conversations with students, this approachable theological introduction to the Christian doctrine of holiness challenges the commonly held idea that holiness is primarily a moral category. The author explains that holiness is grounded not in ethics but in the basic nature of God; it is essentially and exclusively a divine property. The book highlights the Bible's necessary and corrective role in defining holiness and shows how individual holiness is grounded in the community that is the church catholic.

Genres: Theology

192 pages, Paperback

Published March 14, 2017

Reviews

[Eric Fulwider · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction to holiness and a corrective for the pervasive evangelical view of holiness. Very theological and not at all practical, but practice was not the author's aim. For that, I would recommend Jerry Bridges' excellent Christian classic Pursuit of Holiness. In true introductory form, this book deals with many issues of holiness and skims the surface. It feels like one is water skiing across the surface of much richer topics, so this work may inspire further reading. The style was not super readable, hence the lower rating. Overall, worth your time if you want a basic yet holistic overview of holiness.

[Russell Frazier · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have written a book review which will be published in Wesleyan Theological Journal.

• book review, Van De Walle, Bernie A. Rethinking Holiness: A Theological Introduction. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017. 192 pages. ISBN: 978-0-8010-3067-3. Wesleyan Theological Journal. vol. 53, no. 1, (Spring 2018): 214-17.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

In his book, "Rethinking Holiness", Van De Walle addresses our current misunderstanding of holiness as solely dealing with moral perfection or excellence. He shows us that holiness in Scripture is more viewed as a gift or endowment from a fully holy God to His regular and ordinary created things. And while moral excellence for His people and His church is important, it is intended to follow the formation of a relationship with God and flow out of intimacy with Christ.

[Mark Roossinck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on the theology of holiness. Clears up many of the misunderstandings of holiness.