The Hole in Our Holiness

From the inside cover:"The hole in our holiness is that we don't seem to care much about holiness. Or, at the very least, we don't understand it. And we all have our reasons for it: Maybe the pursuit of holiness seems legalistic. Maybe it feels like one more thing to worry about in your already overwhelming life. Maybe the emphasis on effort in the Christian life appears unspiritual. Or maybe you've been trying really hard to be holy and it's just not working! Whatever the case, the problem is clear: too few Christians look like Christ and too many don't seem all that concerned about it.This book is for those of us who are ready to take holiness seriously, ready to be more like Jesus, ready to live in light of the grace that produces godliness. This is a book about God's power to help us grow in personal holiness and to enjoy the process of transformation."Well, there you have it. The above text is a better summary of the book than I could ever hope to write. But, what I can write (as a reviewer) is that, in my opinion, DeYoung accomplished exactly what he intended to accomplish in defining the hole in our holiness.DeYoung begins the book by establishing that there is an enthusiasm gap between what "Christ has saved us from" and "all that Christ has saved us to." The author says, " Shouldn't those most passionate about the gospel and God's glory also be those most dedicated to the pursuit of holiness? I worry that there is an enthusiasm gap and no one seems to mind."After the problem is established the book defines what holiness is and is not, unpacks some theology and makes it understandable (union with Christ, definitive and progressive sanctification, indicatives vs. imperatives) and exhorts the reader to holy living. That is a brief snapshot of the book.I like this book. A lot. The message is applicable and accessible to all believers. It is not only for those in ministry or those who "follow" Kevin DeYoung's blog or those who read dozens of theology books every month. It is for everyone with a passion for holiness. And, especially, it is for those where that passion is absent.My reading time in limited to evenings after the children are in the bed, the house is picked up, the homeschool lessons for the next day are planned, etc. Therefore, I'm very selective about the books that I read. This one made the cut not only once, but twice. After I finished it I turned to the front and started again. There was so much scripture that I want to look up and meditate on.The book is not long (146 pages) and the reading is not hard, but it is rich in application so I suggest you read it slowly. Study questions are included in the back of the book. I encourage you to put The Hole in Our Holiness on your Amazon wish list! :-)I received this book free from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

As DeYoung starts out his book on Holiness he has a basic premise that we will find over and over again in the text. "The problem of holiness is that we don't really care about it." That can sum things up pretty well. According to Scripture God calls us to 'holiness.' He says to us, Be Holy for I am Holy. So, if God calls us to that how can we accomplish it? Can we accomplish it? Or are we to sinful to even think of accomplishing it?In the first chapter DeYoung points out to us that there is a gap between our love for the Gospel and our love for Godliness. We say we love the gospel but by our actions we display that we don't particularly care about godliness (holiness). DeYoung states, "No matter what you profess, if you show disregard for Christ by giving yourself over to sin--impenitently and habitually--then heave is not your home."With that concept in mind there are many people attending church on a weekly basis that heaven is not their home. They may think it is but it can't be. Why is that? I think it is mainly because we don't want to grasp the truths of Scripture and apply them to our lives. We want to love the Savior but not love His commands. If you truly love the Savior you will desire to fulfill His commands and you will attempt with all your heart, soul, mind and strength to live a godly life.Given the layout of the book I believe that the reader will discover that the most powerful chapter is chapter six. "Spirit-powered, Gospel-driven, Faith-fueled Effort." This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. DeYoung gives us a well articulated chapter on what it means to plug the hole in our holiness and put into action the truths that we have been taught and want to believe can make a difference in us.Bottom line, you can live a godly life with the help of the Holy Spirit. You can lead a godly life that will show others who God is and how He can take a repentant sinner and turn his life around to be a useful instrument for the Lord to use.This book is for every believer but especially for the believer that is grappling with what it means to live a godly live and to be holy as He is Holy. Take seriously the call to become part of the Royal Priesthood that Peter talks about in his writings.Enjoy!

This book helped me to understand why I shouldn't excuse sins in name of grace and God's love, without being harsh on myself. Every chapter takes you to greater understanding on the topic of holiness. My favourite chapter if you ask its "saints and sexual immorality". I will be going back again after hopping on to the next one. I love Kevin DeYoung's way of writing, crystal clear and to the point. Please read it if you haven't already and do suggest it to others.

Loved it.A compact little gem (for whatever reason most books on the topic of holiness are normally significantly larger, J.C Ryle, for instance) but for all its brevity it is full of great thinking and reflection on the subject.best lines:"the sky is not falling, and wont until Jesus fall from it first""wondrously angry""Union with Christ may be the most important doctrine you've never heard of"

In 2012, when this book came out, I greatly appreciated everything I gleamed from reading it, seeing how the author helps us to understand the enormous principle behind this deep biblical foundation that nonetheless seems to be so misunderstood. I am delighted that it is now available for the French speaking community! I hope that you will fully take advantage of the many blessings that are recalled in this book, small in the number of pages yet immensely large in its content.DeYoung helps us to clarify this road that is not often traveled on: holiness! By the Word of God he helps us find a balance between law and grace. In fact, what does sanctification mean in the everyday life of those who profess knowing God as their personal Savior? Does sanctification mean abstinence by following a list of rules, of things to avoid?And yet we have all these commandments of God that teach us that by this we know that we will have come to know him, if we keep His commandments. (1Jean 2.3)“From top to bottom the Bible is full of commands. They aren’t meant to stifle a relationship with God, but to protect it, seal it, and define it.” 1The author develops one aspect that I really like, that we don’t often hear about: God has saved us not only for his glory and because he loved us, but also for holiness. Yes, God has saved us so that we may be sanctified and holy!Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. Ephesians 1.3,4Despite the fact that this is a subject that is complex and that, most assuredly, many have different opinions or positions on the subject, I appreciate how DeYoung opens the door of the Scripture and paints a portrait of holiness. He says: “Let me be clear about something from the very beginning: stressing the necessity of personal holiness should not undermine in anyway our confidence in justification by faith alone. The best theologians and the best theological statements have always emphasized the scandalous nature of gospel grace and the indispensable need for personal holiness. Faith and good works are both necessary. But one is the root and the other the fruit. God declares us just solely on account of the righteousness of Christ credited (imputed) to us (2 Cor. 5.21) Our innocence in God’s sight is in no way grounded in works of love or acts of charity.” 2Holiness is a lot more than making sure you're following all the rules and that’s what DeYoung is clearly showing in this book. The accent is placed on the faith of the believer who desires to obey the commandments of his God by love and not by obligation. That is his driving force to live a life sanctified, that which he is called to live by the power of the Spirit that lives within him. (Philippians 2.13-14) It is not a duty but a pure joy, an honor, an offering that is pleasing to God!I also enjoyed how the author makes this subject accessible and exposes justification and sanctification, thus helping us to see that “God doesn’t ask us to attain to what we’re not. He only calls us to accomplish what already is. The pursuit of holiness is not a quixotic effort to do just what Jesus did. It’s the fight to live out the life that has already been made alive in Christ.”3This book deserves all our attention and a profound reading. It warns us on how easy it is to go from one end of the pendulum to the other, under the assumption that we live under grace:- I live in a legalistic manner in doing works in order to feel holier,- I live freely, because of grace I need to do nothing, no worksOne thing is certain, you will be aligned with the truth of the Scriptures with Kevin DeYoung, and this book will serve you for many years, either for you or as a tool of reference. It will not be left unused, that is for sure, since many Christians are perplex on this subject of holiness/sanctification. I know that I have greatly appreciated and grown more in my biblical convictions while reading this gem.Enjoy your reading,Ann L Beaulieu1 The Hole in our Holiness, DeYoung Kevin, Crossway, 2012, p. 452 The Hole in our Holiness, DeYoung Kevin, Crossway, 2012, p. 283 The Hole in our Holiness, DeYoung Kevin, Crossway, 2012, p. 100

Wir sind nicht mit dem Bedürfnis nach Heiligung auf die Welt gekommen und auch nicht damit aufgewachsen. Es geht uns vielmehr wie beim Camping während einer Schlechtwetterphase: Wir bedauern unsere Kinder, die wir im geheizten Wagen hinbringen und sind heilfroh, wenn wir wieder in unsere trockenen Häuser zurückgehen können.Kevin DeYoung stellt in seiner gewohnt frischen Art und Weise die Behauptung auf: Wir sprechen weder in unseren Predigten, noch bei den Leitern der Kirche noch in der Evangelisation richtig über die Heiligung. Oder welche Kirchgemeinde ist etwa bekannt dafür, dass sie besonders nach Gehorsam gegenüber Jesus strebt? Es geht also darum – wie es der Untertitel des Buches sagt -, die Lücke zwischen der Begeisterung für das Evangelium und dem Jagen nach Heiligkeit zu schliessen.Im ersten Teil des Buches betont deYoung den Zusammenhang zwischen Errettung und Heiligung. Gott hat uns errettet, damit wir heilig seien (24). Im Umkehrschluss müssen wir deshalb befürchten, dass manche Menschen aufgrund des fehlenden Strebens wohl gar nicht errettet sind. Der Glaube, der uns vor Gott gerecht hinstellt, buchstabiert forthin sich in der Liebe aus (Gal 5,6). Es gibt aber keinen „Shortcut“ für Heiligung. Sie bleibt Herausforderung bis zum letzten Atemzug. Weltlichkeit beschreibt das, was die Sünde normal und die Gerechtigkeit seltsam aussehen lässt. Wenn du aber wissen willst, wie Heiligkeit aussieht, dann blicke auf Gott! Der die Gute Nachricht verkündigen lässt, verbindet dies mit einer gnädigen Unterweisung, damit wir ihm gehorchen können. Sein Gesetz zu hassen bedeutet deswegen Gott selbst zu hassen.Die Substanz des Buches liegt in acht kurzen, gebündelten Kapiteln. Warum hat Gott dich errettet? Damit du heilig seist. Was ist Heiligung nicht? (Zum Beispiel, dein wahres inneres Selbst zu finden.) Wie hängen Gottes Gesetz und Gehorsam zusammen? Das Evangelium führt zur Freude an Gottes Gesetz. Heiligung wird möglich durch andauernden Kampf. Der Heilige Geist offenbart Sünde, erleuchtet das göttliche Wort, dass wir es verstehen, und enthüllt die Herrlichkeit Christi. Die Einheit mit Christus wird selten gepredigt und steht im Zentrum der Heiligung. Erst jetzt äussert sich deYoung zur sexuellen Reinheit. Und ja, er spart nicht mit konkreten Hinweisen. Er aber daran, dass wir nicht nur geheiligt werden, sondern den Heiligen selbst sehen wollen.DeYoung spricht eine einprägsame, zeitgemässe Sprache. Er schöpft auf dem reichen Fundus reformierter Autoren und übersetzt es in die Situation vor allem der 20- bis 40-jährigen. Die Kapitel haben mit 10 – 15 Seiten eine optimale Länge. Sie sind deshalb für eine Strassenbahnfahrt geeignet. Dass deYoung auch eigenes Versagen thematisiert, macht das Geschriebene noch glaubwürdiger.Bei der Heiligung geht es um viel mehr als um Mittelstand-Werte (134). Kampf ist angesagt. Beispiel: Nach welcher Unterhaltung gehen wir anschliessend auf die Knie, um Christus zu danken? DeYoung fordert heraus: „Wenn der Kampf gegen die Armut erstrebenswert erscheint, wie viel mehr der Kampf gegen die Sünde!“ (22)

Certain points have opened my eyes. This is definitely a good book to read. It will be like listening to a sermon.