1)How many definitions
of holy have been proposed (or denied)?
(i.e. quantity)
At one time, I listed somewhere in the neighborhood of 20
proposed definitions for qadosh (Hebrew) or hagios (Greek) usually translated
as holy. Obviously, not all 20 are
right! Many people assume wrongly, there
is only 1 – set apart.
2) How much? Are each of these definitions worth
considering (or not worth considering)? (quality)
The 3 that seem to have the most credibility are: 1) pure,
2) set apart, and 3) moral wholeness.
These are listed in alphabetic order, but there quality can be measured
by the comparative quality of these proposals.
“Set apart” is currently seen as the # 1 proposal.
3) Where? Is the definition of holy to be found (or
lost)? (place)
It should be found in the texts originating out of primarily
two cultures: 1) Hebrew and 2) Greek.
Aramaic is also a source, but there is comparatively less text to
compare.
Some arguments point out that the meaning of the English
word holy does not matter. This is true
in the strictest sense. But there is
also an overstatement of this argument that should not be tolerated regardless
of who makes the argument. The truth is
that holy does have a connection to moral wholeness in the English language,
even if qadosh or hagios may not. The
meaning of holy in English is irrelevant in terms of where the meaning of
qadosh or hagios originated. Where the
meaning of holy as moral wholeness is relevant is in understanding the origin
of the meaning of holy and why it was chosen by early English translators.
When? Is the definition of holy found (or lost)?
(time)
It is important to realize that the time periods of when the
texts containing qadosh and hagios were recorded are primary. Texts that come before or after that time
have less value. A variety of contexts
can matter, but the most immediate in terms of time matter more than those that
come before or those that follow. It is important
to realize also that qadosh precedes hagios in time and that hagios like holy
is a translation of qadosh. This would
also be true for the Aramaic word for qadosh.
Qadosh and its time period must be kept primary.
Who? Is
identified with the definition of holy (or who is not to be identified as holy)?
(identity)
Yahweh and his name are identified in Scripture over and
over as holy. It is said that he is the
only one that is holy. Unfortunately,
this is extended beyond comparison to other gods and it is said humans too are
not holy. The last I checked “saints”
are holy ones and they are human. So
overstretching the comparison with Yahweh to knock human holy ones is not in
agreement with Scripture.
Whole? Of who a person is complete in the definition
of holy (or only a part of who a person is)?
(makeup)
How? Are we able
to determine the definition of holy (or do we not know how to determine its
definition)? (Method)
Why? Work on the definition of holy (or why not
work on it)? (Purpose)
What? Is the
definition of holy (or is not the definition for holy)? (Likeness)
Which? Of the different kinds of definitions for
holy is the right kind (or which is the wrong kind)? (Kinds)
In Christ,
Jon
