The best definition I’ve heard comes from Sinclair Ferguson. Without going into language studies and examining Scripture passages I believe we can formulate a rough and ready definition.
Some suggest that holiness is primarily a separateness. This fits in most contexts. Israel was to be separate from other nations and thus holy. God is separate from his creation and thus holy. Particular priestly perfumes were “set apart” and could only be used for priests and thus holy.
The problem with this is that it could not describe God in himself. God is holy and has always been holy. He was holy even before creation. But before creation, God was not set apart or separate from anything. So separateness must be an accidental feature of holiness and not essential to it.
Better to understand holiness as devotion. A holy thing is something that is devoted to God. In this way the priesthood is holy, the temple is holy, and every Christian is holy. The Christian life is a life devoted to God. Growth in holiness means a growth in our devotion to God. This also fits with God in himself. Even before creation, God was perfectly devoted to himself and his own glory.
Understanding holiness in this way has been a help to me. What are your thoughts on this understanding?
Some suggest that holiness is primarily a separateness. This fits in most contexts. Israel was to be separate from other nations and thus holy. God is separate from his creation and thus holy. Particular priestly perfumes were “set apart” and could only be used for priests and thus holy.
The problem with this is that it could not describe God in himself. God is holy and has always been holy. He was holy even before creation. But before creation, God was not set apart or separate from anything. So separateness must be an accidental feature of holiness and not essential to it.
Better to understand holiness as devotion. A holy thing is something that is devoted to God. In this way the priesthood is holy, the temple is holy, and every Christian is holy. The Christian life is a life devoted to God. Growth in holiness means a growth in our devotion to God. This also fits with God in himself. Even before creation, God was perfectly devoted to himself and his own glory.
Understanding holiness in this way has been a help to me. What are your thoughts on this understanding?