AUTHOR

Dr. John N. Oswalt, Research Professor of the Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Mississippi, retreat leader, conference speaker, member of the NIV translation team, and editorial staff of New Living Translation presents a comprehensive portrait of the Bible. s teaching on the pious life, the result of some forty years of study, teaching, preaching and reflection.

GENTLE

Holiness

SUMMARY

Holiness as the unified theme of the entire Bible is systematically tracked. Reading the Old Testament in isolation can lead to the mistaken belief that one is saved through works of obedience, and reading the New Testament without its counterpart can lead one to believe that the only meaning of Christ’s death is forgiveness. The text shows the character of God, the nature of the human situation, and God’s intentions for his people. Although the Israelites had been mired in a misunderstanding, God used the nunnery because it would be intelligible to them. Ultimate reality can only be understood by analogy with the world around us. Four central truths are repeated in both testaments. First, we enter into relationship with God by an act of sheer grace. Second, God puts us in relationship with Himself so that we can fellowship with Him on the basis of shared character. This is evident in the journey of the Israelites. Thirdly, it is discovered once again that there is something that prevents us from this communion with God. In Genesis, these impediments are called “evil imagination.” This rabbinic phrase is what prevents God’s children from doing what they are supposed to do in relationship. Ultimately, it is only through the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit that man can overcome impediments. This is the summary of the Bible. It is the same in both testaments.

STRENGTHS

Oswalt is to be commended for the vivid presentation of the flaw in the human spirit revealed in the prostitution of our best gifts and abilities, echoing that it is in need of renewal. The Holy Spirit, he rightly observes, must bring about this renewal. The way he completed the first section is also commendable. His summary of the seven chapters could be considered a very useful synthesis that maintains a smooth transition to the study of holiness in the New Testament.

WEAKNESS

One hoped that Oswalt would have made a very clear distinction between the different types of sanctification.

RECOMMENDATION

Dr. Oswalt’s timeless text is a treasure for every Christian, especially in this age when torrents of controversial ink are still flowing about the definition and manner in which sainthood can be or be achieved.