Encountering Holiness

ENCOUNTERING HOLINESS

Holiness is the most fundamental tenet of the Judea-Christian religious tradition in which it is uniquely attributed to God. 

But what is Holiness?  Although there are other definitions, in this communication it will mean absolute perfection in all that is good.  This includes “morality” but also other aspects of perfection such as capability of action (Omnipotence), knowledge (Omniscience) and wisdom.  Easy to understand, right?  Of course, understanding this definition does not necessarily imply that one believes it exists.  And if you spend time thinking about all the consequences of this definition, it’s deceptively difficult to comprehend; its fantastic scope blows away our intellect.  And then it will become obvious that the details of an appropriate definition of Holiness are inherently shrouded in mystery.

What is the impact on a person who encounters Holiness?  Although some might think it would be pleasant and comforting, this is not the case.   Instead, encounters are extremely disorienting and unsettling; perhaps best described as “shock and awe” in its truest and non-military sense.  The person encountering Holiness experiences the extreme terror of the nuclear destruction of their pride and sense of worth.  This is because any sane person knows that they are not holy, and they immediately feel that they are not fit to be its presence.  And even more unsettling, they feel fundamentally threatened that they will be judged and punished.  The normal reaction is to run and hide, but of course there is no escape from omniscience and omnipotence!  This overall reaction is consistent with Biblical descriptions of encounters with Holiness.  Whatever your opinion of the Bible, you can certainly imagine your own personal reaction (assuming Holiness exists) to an encounter with it.  It probably would be similar.

Does Holiness exist?  This question pursues and haunts us until we answer it.  And our answer fundamentally impacts every aspect of our lives.  There are only three possibilities.  If our answer is “no,” we will struggle with the resultant consequences.  If our answer is “yes,” we will struggle with the resultant consequences.  And even if we’re not sure, we will struggle with the resultant consequences. 

The “no” struggle is difficult and ultimately leads to apathy, depression, and despair.  If there is no Holiness, then what does matter in life?  Is our life purpose solely about ourselves: to amass wealth, to exercise power, and to be famously admired?  People who have attained these things ultimately find that they alone are not truly satisfying.  Other answers to what matters in life are equally unsatisfying.

The “yes” struggle is difficult, and ultimately leads to peace, serenity, and a sense of purpose.  It does not immediately or permanently solve all our problems, but it begins a journey that ultimately leads to indescribable peace and satisfaction that we will never regret. 

The “I don’t know” struggle is difficult and causes deep and fundamental confusion until the answer to this critically fundamental question is resolved.    

Our answer to this question is extremely important to us, but can we choose what we believe to be true?  In general, we can’t!  If I thought that life would be better for me if I believed that 2+2 = 5, it would be impossible for me to choose to believe it! 

Surprisingly, with respect to the existence of holiness I believe there really is some ability for us to choose!  It is not an instantaneous choice derived from logic, experience, tradition, or an appeal to authority.  Rather it is a long and sometimes very difficult journey.  It must start with one small step: the choice to be truly open to its existence.  Openness is one thing that we all control. 

I believe that one of the properties of Holiness is its determination to reveal itself to each of us uniquely and personally over time if we are open to it.  This is not obvious in the definition of Holiness, and we leave the development of this concept to another document.  The revelation to us may or may not be like the extremely overpowering encounters described in religious literature.  But it will be real and convincing.  It is important to know that it will require hard work, patience and persistence to maintain openness. 

If you are reading this, you are thinking about Holiness.  Are you positive that it does not exist?  Are you truly open to its possible existence?  Are you determined to begin the journey of openness?

An encounter with Holiness is extremely powerful.  Will we feel threatened by it?  The answer to this is both “yes” and “no.”  Our natural instincts of fear and shame in the presence of Holiness will be counterbalanced by the amazing realization that Holiness loves us and forgives us if we are repentant. This shocking inherent quality of Holiness is called grace.  Grace is not an obvious trait of Holiness.  It requires its own separate treatment in another document.  It burst into the collective permanent consciousness of humanity with the life of Jesus.  If you have not read Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John; I urge you to do so and make your own decision.      

An encounter with Holiness is extremely transformative.  We are reborn.  After our transformation we are obsessed at the highest level by two things: our relationship with Holiness and our relationship with our fellow humans.  As to Holiness, we are left with feelings of thankfulness, joy and praise, and also the desire to do what is pleasing to it.  And our continuing relationship to others is based on the realization that all of us are equally distant from Holiness but also equally loved by it.  Therefore, we should be humble and supportive toward each other.  And a true encounter with Holiness will not leave us with any arrogance about our superiority to others.  None of us totally understands Holiness.  As we are equally distant from being holy, we are equally distant from a full understanding of what Holiness is.

After we have an encounter with Holiness, this should not be a one-time event.  All of us need to be continually open to re-experience the shock and awe of encountering Holiness, followed by the amazing realization that Holiness intends a unique loving and forgiving relationship with us.  Once one encounters Holiness (and is thus reborn) there is a tendency to settle into a comfortable pattern of continual praise of it.  This is entirely appropriate.  But we must never forget why that praise and joy are so amazingly appropriate.  We need to continually encounter Holiness so that we can continue to grow.  We are all born physically, but it is tragic if we never mature after our birth.  When we are reborn spiritually, it is tragic if we do not continually mature afterwards.  However, we will never totally understand, own, or control Holiness.

It should be clear that “Holiness” is unique and is another name for what some call “God.”  Indeed, Holiness (Hallowed) is God’s name!

If there be anything here that is from God I can take no credit for it.  If there is anything here that is not from God I should take no credit for it.  A major influence for this piece is the book by R. C. Sproul “The Holiness of God.”