The Holiness of God - chapter 3: "The Fearful Mystery"

The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul

"The Fearful Mystery" Chapter Three

What is Holy?

• Difficult concept to define
• More than just ethical or moral purity
• Set apart from that which is common
• Consecrated as special or dedicated for special use
• Transcendent, exalted
• Holy=‘wholly other’
• Holy God – the One who has no superior or equal

Holy Things

• God is absolutely and independently holy.
• Other people or things derive their holiness from God’s consecrating them or it for his service.
• Things made holy by God are not for common use.

The Defining Attribute

• Holiness equivalent to the deity or essence of God
• Holiness not just another attribute on the list of God’s qualities
• Holiness governs God’s other attributes, e.g. “holy love”

Idolatry

• Worshiping that which is created instead of worshiping the Creator is the essence of idolatry.
• When we consecrate what God has never consecrated, it is desecration and an act of idolatry.

The Fearful Mystery

• Holiness as mysterious and indescribable
• Holiness as terrifying
• Holiness as attracting
• Holiness as realization of our own creatureliness

Questions

• What does it mean to fear God?
• How can we fear God and yet be drawn to worship and love Him?
• How should God’s holiness change the way that we worship?
• How should it change the way we live?