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RCT: The Holiness of God (XI)
- 12/23/10
- 11
And here we are, at the end of another classic. If you’ve been doing this since the beginning, you’ve now read Holiness by J.C. Ryle, Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen, The Seven Sayings of the Savior on the Cross by A.W. Pink, The Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, Real Christianity by William Wilberforce, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs, Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray, The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes, Spurgeon by Arnold Dallimore. And, of course, The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul. I’ve spoken to a few people recently (in real-life even) who have kept up and who have enjoyed the book. So I’m glad to know that some of you continue to read along.
This week’s chapter was titled “Holy Space and Holy Time” and in wrapping up the book Sproul turns to a discussion of setting apart certain spaces and certain times as holy. He writes about traditional church architecture and its function in drawing people to the holy, something he has emphasized in several of his other books. He writes about what goes missing in churches that are designed to be functional rather than beautiful. “What is often lost in these functional church designs is the profound sense of threshold. A threshold is a place of transition. It signals a change from one realm to another.” If you have ever visited Dr. Sproul’s home church of St. Andrew’s you will see how he and the members of that church have sought to recapture traditional design including the concept of threshold.
He writes as well about sacred times and in particular the Sabbath and the Lord’s Supper.
The celebration of the Lord’s Supper involves sacred time in three distinct ways. First, it looks to the past, instructing believers to remember and to show forth Christ’s death by this observance. Second, it focuses on the present moment of celebration, in which Christ meets with His people to nurture them and strengthen them in their sanctification. Third, it looks to the future, to the certain hope of their reunion with Christ in heaven, where they will participate in the banquet feast of the Lamb and His bride.
I don’t think this was the strongest chapter of the book, but I believe Dr. Sproul wanted to help us work out just a couple of the implications of this study of God’s holiness—implications that touch on personal life and church life.
And that’s that. I hope you’ve found this study beneficial. I know that the book has touched me deeply and has shown me ever more clearly not only the holiness of God, but also the importance of understanding his holiness and celebrating it. Maybe I’ll say more about that in the future.
I’d love to hear your impressions of the book as we come to the end of our time studying it.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (11)
I agree, Tim, that perhaps this final chapter was not the strongest chapter of the book, but I think it was the final flourish that made the book sing.
R.C. Sproul shows sensitivity to the reader by explaining in his illustrious manner the way we are to regard the holiness of God—by placing the reader square in the center of it’s existence, in real space and real time. Similar to having someone touch the end of your nose with their finger and saying, “There it is.”
Thanks again for a great read and the wonderful discussions, all.
Tim, thanks again! Again I was blessed by the great book you chose, and by the thoughts of other saints reading along. What a joy!
Elizabeth, how I looked for your few words every Thursday! I always learn so much from you. Thank you, my dear friend!
My thoughts are here:http://bit.ly/hta9fK
Blessings to you all!
I agree with everybody above that this was not the strongest chapter, but good nonetheless. Especially appropriate here at Christmas - I count it as one of the “sacred times” that we celebrate.
Overall, I’ll highly recommend this book to others. Even if I forget details of things I learned, I’ll keep the greater awareness of how important God’s HOLINESS is.
More on “Holy Space and Holy Time” on my blog:
http://bit.ly/hyYHN6
Thanks to Tim and all the readers here. Reading together always makes my reading experience 10x greater!
Oops—forgot to fill in my name above. It’s me, Lisa, at comment # 3. :-)
I believe that the book came full circle in the final chapter. Holy space and Holy time is what Sproul was describing of his own experience in chapter one when he, as a student, was drawn in the night to a place in which he would have an intimate, Holy encounter with his Creator.
It was just after reading chapter one that I experienced my own most intimate and profound Holy encounter with my Saviour (shared in chaper one comments). That encounter was of a space and time of His choosing.
I have learned a great deal about the nature and Holiness of God during this reading experience. A new door has been opened in my mind and I have been truly blessed by His Grace!
Thank you for this opportunity, Tim!
This was my first RCT, and I’m so thankful for this book. I’m looking forward to the next book selection.
I liked the last chapter. My church just built a new high school-style auditorium for our worship services. I miss the sense of holiness that I experienced when I attended an Episcopal church in a traditional church building. It’s as if I had to choose between good theology and a building that is conducive to worship.
This was my first RCT as well, and when I see the list of classics you have read together I’m sad that I’m so late to the party …….. but I will certainly look forward to the next one.
This chapter was surprising to me ……. not what I would have expected as an ending to such an incredibly strong rich book of God’s divine character …….. and yet, as I pondered it longer, perhaps it was just the perfect ending …….. application for us finite, flawed humans who have been redeemed to interface and reflect His Holiness …….
Thank you, Tim and Everyone for your comments and insights …… I have gained much from this experience.
I’ve been MIA the last two weeks, but I posted a quick wrap-up:
http://homewithpurpose.blogspot.com/2010/12/reading-classics-together-ho…
I’ve really enjoyed the book and discussion…I think God’s holiness is often overlooked by many Christians. It’s been very beneficial for me to consider it in depth, even though at times it’s been uncomfortable (Chapter 9 anyone?). At other times it’s also been wonderful and comforting! I think “modern classic” is a well-deserved title for it!
What a blessing to not only have read this fantastic book, but to read the encouraging remarks from everyone who followed along. It has truly been a pleasure and i look forward to the next book on the list. (Also looks like i have some catching up to do!)
While i would agree that the last chapter was not my favorite, i believe Sproul helped me with the understanding of places and objects as being holy. I have found with myself when I experience a moment of ‘threshold,’ i return later to what i was doing or where i desired the same feeling, and find myself disappointed when it does not happen. Rather than demanding God work the same way for me again, the idea of the alter stones that were set up in the O.T. may prove to be my answer. I can look at the reminder of what did happen and worship for what God has done in my life. We look back to see what God has done, we look around to see what God is doing, and we eagerly “wait for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Been silent the past few weeks, and was a bit behind finishing the last chapter, but I made it through. Love the accuntability in keeping up with everyone else reading the book.
This chapter helped me see something else I’m missing at the church I attend now - it is a sheet metal “functional” building. I remember attending Twin Oaks in St Louis for a seminar RC Sproul was at back in 2005 and being in awe at the size and beauty and really feeling that it was a place to worship a holy God. I’ll have to find this St Louis Cathedral next time I am up there and check it out!
I’m late with the feedback but enjoyed both the book and the shared feedback. Overall it was a very helpful and stimulating read, and not a difficult read - not overly long, a concise style, very engaging. I found I was reading ahead, and coming back when it was RCT feedback time to compare notes.
The last chapter was quite different in tone and impressed upon me the point Sproul made in an earlier chapter, that holy things, including holy space, are holy by virtue of God’s presence and activity. So a beautiful place, whether a church or a park or a garden, can ‘prompt’ me to worship and gratitude by its beauty, but the worship is worship of God, a holy God, not the place which I might appreciate and enjoy. When I visit a church here in England that may be 1000yrs old, and be struck by its beauty, elegance, etc., the Christian should see more than a building and see God who called people to meet with him there. The place is holy in meeting there with God, his people, opening His Word, sharing His meal, and what privileges these are.
Thanks again, Tim, for making the RCT ‘event’ happen! Looking forward to the next one already.