God and Human Wholeness: Perfection in Biblical and Theological Tradition

by Kent L. Yinger

The language of perfection crops up regularly in the Bible, from Noah ("a just man and perfect in his generations," KJV) to Jesus ("be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect," NRSV). Is flawless behavior what God expects, the only standard of righteousness that can satisfy him? Jewish tradition has long questioned this Christian assumption. Since Sanders and the New Perspective on Paul, it has come under increasing challenge from many directions. In Reclaiming Human Wholeness, Kent Yinger provides an in-depth examination of what the Bible intends with this perfection-wholeness language and of its impact on theology and spiritual life. Rather than calling to an unreachable perfection, the God of the Bible desires our flourishing and wholeness. "Kent Yinger's latest publication is a fine contribution to the field of biblical scholarship generally and in particular to the subject under investigation--perfection. Yinger demonstrates that the popular conception of perfection as sinlessness is unbiblical and needs to be adjusted in light of the pertinent exegetical data. The volume surveys the history of the doctrine, examines the biblical materials, and concludes with a consideration of the church's pursuit of perfection. All in all, one need look no further for an all-around treatment of this important topic." --Don Garlington, author of The Obedience of Faith "Kent Yinger's work is more than a well-researched supplementary study of the topic of biblical perfection. It is a must read that will change how one thinks about faith, righteousness, sanctification, and Christian living. It clarifies the biblical presentation of the response that God desires to God's offer of grace. This work has historical-reconstructive, theological, and pastoral ramifications for understanding the nature of faith and righteousness--that is, living by a wholehearted response to God." --Rodney Duke, Professor of Religion, Appalachian State University "'Be perfect' (Matt 5:48)--this little command in the Bible has always perplexed me. Who can be perfect? Yinger has convincingly argued that here, and elsewhere in the Bible, 'perfection' language is not about obeying God without mistakes or errors, but rather about wholehearted love and loyalty to God. All students of the Bible will benefit from Yinger's important book." --Nijay K. Gupta, Associate Professor of New Testament, Portland Seminary Kent L. Yinger is Professor of New Testament Studies (retired), Portland Seminary (Oregon). He is the author of Paul, Judaism and Judgment according to Deeds (1999) and The New Perspective on An Introduction (2010).

Genres: Theology

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2019

Reviews

[Mark Taylor]

God wants wholehearted devotion, not perfection

Ever wonder how some biblical characters can be called righteous and blameless, but Paul can also say "all have sinned" and quote the Psalms that say "there is none righteous, no not one"? Or how can Jesus insist that the greatest commandments are about wholehearted love for God and others yet insist that we must "be perfect"? Does this mean a perfect but loveless obedience would be sufficient to make us righteous? Isn't that exactly the Pharisaical aspiration Jesus criticized when he reminded us that the most important things are justice, mercy, and faithfulness? Is the problem with the law that it is impossible to keep? Did Moses and Jesus demand and expect absolute perfection or were they after something else?
Kent Yinger offers a clear and compelling case that perfection language in the Old and New Testaments is calling us to wholeness, maturity, and wholehearted devotion to God rather than perfect sinlessness or flawless law-keeping. He also explains how the church moved away from this understanding and toward the notion of flawless perfection that remains pervasive today.
This argument has important theological, practical, and pastoral implications and deserves careful consideration.

[Colm Alton]

I found the topic of this book related to the meaning of perfection from a biblical perspective to be very informative. The author essentially argues perfection in the Old Testament and New Testament is related to an overall pattern of faithfulness in one’s life rather than flawless behaviour. This means that it was possible from the authors perspective that the Israelites could obey the Torah and Gods commands since God refers to people in the Old Testament as righteous.

The author then goes through specific examples of instances our English bibles uses the language of perfection and tries to show that these passages are not related to an expectation of sinlessness.

I find aspects of the authors argument compelling but some aspects not. At one point the author seems to suggest that passages about the cross was required for humanity as a whole but individuals could be considered righteous and therefore not requiring the cross personally. This to me does not make sense in light of the first few chapters of Romans.

The author also does not go into enough detail of the texts in the bible alluding to the insufficiency of the Torah to bring about the human flourishing the author claims was possible for the Israelites in the Old Testament.

[Peter]

Alternative to "Perfection"

Yinger argues that Christian theology has wandered from a biblical understanding of perfection. Perfection, in both the Old and New Testament, referred to a wholeness or completeness in living faithfully in relationship with God. The idea of a sinless perfection was never in view within scripture.perfection came to be viewed as something attainable only by separation from bodily desires, or simply unattainable (in Reformed theology) and therefore received only through a transfer of Christ's righteousness. The idea of perfection as completeness has significant implications for our understanding of the Christian calling and the preaching of the Gospel. Yinger's presentation is likely not all that controversial within biblical scholarship, but it certainly will be controversial within certain theological camps. Yet his argument is compelling..

[Joshua]

wholeness (faithfulness) not perfection is what is required for salvation

Yinger is an exceptionally good writer who can captivate the reader. This helps provide even more biblical support for covenantal nomism and shows the error of both the Roman Catholic Church and the reformation. Perfection isn’t the standard for our obedience unto salvation. It’s a marriage covenant, not a merit based system. Gain and maintain, not earn.