The Holiness of God

This is an excellent treatise on the most important aspect of God - His holiness. It's one of the most incomprehensible aspects of His character and what sets Him farthest apart from us. But it is critical to understand, especially when it comes to understanding the questions of “why does God...” that so often frustrate Christians or people who claim Christianity or are interested in it. It's also, in my mind, the most glaring omission for those progressive “Christians” who constantly try to conform Biblical understanding to current world culture. These things just do not mix, and there's a reason for that: God is Holy Holy Holy. We are not. Understanding that is the key to understanding why we need a savior.

Classic Sproul–seemingly meandering, chatty, overly-reliant on illustrations...but at the end of the day, who cares? There's not one reader who can read this and not get exactly what Sproul intended to say. He has a great appreciation for holiness–both God's and the believer's, and he clearly lays out the case for his reader's to develop that thirst as well.

The chapters on Luther, Isaiah, and the conclusion in particular are spot-on, and well worth several re-reads.

Short Review: I am working through several books by reformed authors to try to better understand reformed theology. With each of the ones I have read so far, I appreciate much of what is being said and the focus on scripture and the intellect. But I also confirm that in the end I am not reformed.

This book is about 25 years old but reads more modern and very well. I have not read anything by Sproul before and I think this was probably a good introduction. If you are looking for a book on the theology of God this is a good one. I think it is a bit one sided in its presentation, but it is particularly about the Holiness of God, not just the general theology of God, so that is to be expected. Overall enjoyed it.

Full review is on my blog at http://www.mrshields.com/the-holiness-of-god-by-rc-sproul/