Why Holiness? by Carla D. Sunberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
We often begin with the “What,” when we should really be focused on the “Why.” This applies to so many things in life: goals, visions for the future, projects, and certainly theology and doctrine. When we stop to ask “Why?” it can change the course of the conversation from one of religious duty to something that steps into transformation by the Holy Spirit’s power.
In Why Holiness? The Transformational Message That Unites Us Dr. Carla Sunberg gathers articles on holiness from seven different authors, professors, pastors, and students of theology to ask the Why question. Why does God call us to “be holy for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:6)? What is holiness and why does it even matter?
Holiness is not merely being good, perfect, or following all the rules. Jesus summed holiness up in the two greatest commandments: Love God with everything you’ve got, and love others as yourself (Matthew 22:36-40). This is what holiness is: loving God and loving others. When we truly love God and love others, putting them first, having this same attitude as Jesus, being patient, faithful, gentle, kind, burden-bearing, and encouraging, this is holiness. This is living out life as Jesus does.
From this view of holiness, Sunberg and co. set out to answer seven distinct questions:
1. Why Reflect God? – Dick O. Eugenio
2. Why Spiritual Formation? – Jacob Lett
3. Why Revival? – Filimao Chambo
4. Why Have a Right Heart? – Diane Leclerc
5. Why Engage the Margins? – Deirdre Brower Latz
6. Why Practice Holiness in the Wilderness? – Danny Quanstrom
7. Why Dialogue with the Past? – Olga Druzhinina
These articles on holiness are equal parts academic treatise at an accessible level, challenging rhetoric, and pastoral exhortation. Not one disappoints, as each author approaches holiness from a different perspective, both practical and theological.
Perhaps the most challenging chapter was Dr. Leclerc’s on having a right heart. She puts forward this idea that for so long we have measured true “holiness” either by orthodoxy – having all the right beliefs – or by orthopraxy – doing all the right things. The church as a whole has been quick to push aside anyone they believe is not acting rightly within one camp, when really there is perhaps a third way, a better way: orthokardia — the idea of having a right heart. Throughout Scripture we see God so much more concerned about heart transformation than storehouse of knowledge or hours of right practice under our belts. The Holy Spirit’s transformational work is an internal reality affecting our external lives. It begins with the heart, and works it way out through our attitudes, thoughts, words, actions, and ways of being.
If you’re looking for a short and concise volume on holiness, Why Holiness? is a tremendous work to explore. But be warned, not only will you leave smarter for having learned so much, you might just be challenged in your own life along the way in all the right kinds of ways.