Skip to main content

Holier Than Thou

 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (I Peter 1:15-16)

 

According to various Bible dictionaries, being holy involves being separate, set-apart, or sacred. We see God’s call for the Jews to be holy often in the Old Testament. They are repeatedly commanded to not imitate or integrate with the other nations. Every time they did, they got in trouble. In the New Testament, Jesus warned the disciples not to love the world or the things in the world. That’s what Peter’s warning is about. We are to be holy…separate… set apart…sacred.

Immediately, the alarm bells ring. Oh no! We mustn’t be so heavenly-minded that we’re no earthly good! Oh no! Heaven forbid that we become “holier than thou.” Isn’t that what the Pharisees were rebuked for? Aren’t we to love sinners? Didn’t Jesus eat with sinners? How are we to reach them if we aren’t willing to be among them?

It seems as if holiness is like wealth. “Rich enough” always means having more money than you do, but not enough that you feel poor. The accusation of “holier than thou” begins whenever we feel uncomfortable with the level of someone’s holiness in comparison to ours. Don’t misunderstand. There are people who parade themselves around as holy in order to get power or approval from others.

But I suspect that the accusation of “holier than thou” or “too heavenly minded to be any earthly good” not only shifts to suit the individual but is also being used as ad hominem. If they disagree with you, your argument can be declared of no value because you are “holier than thou.” That doesn’t mean you’re wrong. Those whose focus is on our being “any earthly good” have set their sights too low.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more