Holiness [Paperback]

John Webster (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2003

A world-renowned theologian here offers a succinct account of a central yet neglected theme in Christian teaching the holiness of God. Integrating biblical studies, theology, and practical application, John Webster provides a thoroughgoing trinitarian understanding of Gods holiness with highly relevant results. According to Webster, Gods holiness is known not in his simple transcendence but in his gracious and free relationship to his people. Such holiness finds an echo in the holiness of the Christian community, especially in worship and witness, and in the life of the individual disciple. Profound yet readily accessible to a wide range of readers, Websters Holiness offers an ideal entry into reflection on the Christian God.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Webster's 'theological essay on holiness" (p.1) is a concentrated recollection of the reformers' fundamental theological insights of in the contemporary horizon of a challenged church. His plea for holiness is well based in that fundament of the church which cannot be disturbed by its current failures or decreasing acceptance. And this makes the essay a strong and strenghtening theological plea." Michael Weinrich, Freie Universitat Berlin, Scottish Journal of Theology, Volume 58/3, 2005. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

John Webster is Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity in the University of Oxford and Canon of Christ Church. He is the author of several books, including "Eberhard Jungel" and "Barth's Ethics and Reconciliation", and he edited, in addition, the "Cambridge Companion to Karl Barth". He is presently co-editor, with Colin Gunton, of the "International Journal of Systematic Theology", published by Blackwell. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 122 pages
• Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company (September 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802822150
• ISBN-13: 978-0802822154
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #415,635 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A holy task January 25, 2004

By FrKurt Messick HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

John Webster believes that theology is an office of the church. Theology is not, for Webster as for many modern theologians, a dispassionate and removed intellectual exercise; it is also not merely descriptive and emotive statements without reasonable methodology and content. Theology's task is to understand God's creation in certain contexts for certain purposes, and for that reason, it belongs to the people of God.

However, Webster sets himself apart from much of current theological processes by focusing not on the conversational/correlative or the comparative, but on the dogmatic development within the guidelines of the church and the church's text, the Bible. To this extent, some theologians and Christians in the mainline may find the text difficult and narrow. On the other hand, it is worthwhile to follow the development, as Webster describes, more intensive before it becomes extensive. (One might say here it gets deeper rather than wider.)

The main task for this short series of essays is to look at the ideas of holiness at relating to God, church, Christians, and the theological task itself. It starts off with certain presumptions which it takes as axioms and does not try to prove -- God exists, the Bible is the word of God, God's being is Trinitarian, etc. This is a fairly standard litany of orthodox Christian beliefs, so there is not a great stretch. Webster looks at the dogmatic content -- this is not metaphysics or pastoral, mystical or moralistic (although at certain points in any theology, and this is no different, there will be points that touch on these aspects).

Webster begins with a chapter on method, looking at the different aspects and relationships of Christian theology.... Perhaps in his most telling statement, Webster sets the theological stage as the place where reason is called before God, rather than the other way round. Theology is communal, prayerful, and above all confessional. Webster also has at the conclusion of this chapter a litany of that which theology is not: it is not a means of grace, it is not a sacrament, etc. There is much to argue against here, in the final paragraph of this section -- he makes the statement that 'Theology is not inspired', which I would argue strongly against; not knowing his operative definitions, however, I hesitate to offer a criticism, as we might be talking at cross-purposes.

The following chapters look at content -- the holiness of God, Church, and the Christian. Using the ideas developed in the first chapter, and drawing on material from the Bible and the church, Webster sets out ways to consider holiness. Holiness is a relationship with God that can be communal or individual. In his conclusion, Webster looks at different theories of identity and self, and draws the conclusion that both the church and society need conversion that is unlikely to come through any form of rational, intellectual efforts, but through prayer and the type of conversion of life more akin to monastic visions.

Those who appreciate Karl Barth will likely find things of interest and value here. There are portions of this text that go beyond 'easy' theology -- there is a presumption of a high degree of theological and philosophical sophistication (digressions about Schleiermacher's heirs going from the 'cautiously referential' to 'nominalist' and 'sceptical', among other sidelines, references and digressions, show this). This is also a topic for a narrow audience; the development of the theme is interesting and useful, but given its limitations, will likely not be useful outside formal theological circles.

Still, for this audience, it is a worthwhile development in an interesting way of a topic often overlooked. Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful and Edifying December 19, 2009

By David J. Strickler

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

At present, I'm a third year Wheaton College student majoring in Theology.

Anyone familiar with John Webster knows to expect clarity and powerful insights. I bought this book searching for meaning in the Christian truth of God's holiness. I bought it looking to grow. I confess that I bought it seeking a pastor for an author. Webster introduces his book saying that this book is not meant to be pastoral but scholarly. Of all that I've read of Webster, this is the first time I can say I think that he is wrong! The book has had significant impact on my life. His delivery is broken down into accessible portions and his content is, as always, insightful, challenging and edifying. His final chapter on the holiness of the Christian has had great impact on me, even though it is meant to be part of a scholarly discourse. Anyone looking for a stronger grasp on the sometimes elusive issues of the holiness of Scripture, of God, of the Church, and of the Christian will want to have consulted one of the best theologians of our day: Webster meets those needs for both the scholar and the supplicant.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A solid systematic treatment of a neglected doctrine June 22, 2009

By Glen O'Brien

Format:Paperback

This is a book of considerable depth despite being only one hundred pages long. Systematic theologians have not always been strong on the doctrine of holiness so Webster's contribution is very welcome. This is "confessional" theology, confident in God's Trinitarian self-revelation. It bears the characteristically Reformed and Barthian emphasis on what is usually called "positional holiness" and also shares Barth's nervousness about the piety of the sanctified. Though its dominant note is positional holiness it avoids any antinomian implication by stressing the genuine godliness of the elect. As well as covering the Holiness of God, the Holiness of the Church and the Holiness of the Believer, perhaps the most fascinating chapter is the first on the Holiness of Theology itself. It will need to be read slowly, carefully, and thoughtfully, but this book makes a great contribution to contemporary discussion on the doctrine of holiness and is highly recommended.

4.0 out of 5 stars Concise, Readable, yet Well-Grounded and Theologically Rigorous February 15, 2013

By Matthew R. Green

Format:Paperback

A brief but marvelous treatise on holiness. Webster considers how theologians have defined the term and the weaknesses of many methods in the last century, delineating what he perceives as the only theologically sound means of giving its meaning. He then moves on to consider the nature of the holiness in the exploration of theology, in God, in the church, and finally in the individual.

Despite Webster's Anglican heritage, he approaches the subject with what seems to be a very Reformed perspective. He references Calvin frequently and is focused primarily on God, making humanity's works quite secondary. He is very dependent upon Scripture and explains why he believes this is necessary, which places him squarely in Evangelical-friendly territory. While not immediately practical, there are potential practical implications that could arise out of the text.

The only weakness I see in Webster's examination is that while he works quite hard at describing how other methods of defining holiness are problematic, he fails to give a clear description of his own understanding. It is there, but it is somewhat diffuse and muddled. Certain aspects of it become much clearer as he progresses through the later chapters, though I felt it could have been clearer up front.

Short and relatively dense, but still generally quite readable for a theology text, Holiness is an excellent little book that connects holiness to a number of valuable and perhaps a bit unexpected places.