What I find is that too many people are emotionally afraid of considering the option that the most popular definition in lexicons in the last 100 years and among the majority of current scholars is incorrect. Too often the definition that people settle for is fear driven rather than confidence driven. It can also be fearless driven as though confidence is the total absence of fear. I am convinced that the definition of holy is "moral wholeness" and I can emotionally say it with confidence under control (it is not a fearless over-correction.
"What is moral wholeness?", you might ask. It is all these moral traits as a whole:
1) Righteous and just
2) True and humble
3) Loving and perfect,
4) Good and great.
To lack anyone of these would mean that a person is not morally whole. It goes almost without saying, but "steadfast kindness" is the sequel to holiness when it comes to salvation. This kindness is a gift while holiness is a demand or requirement.
BIBLICAL TEXT OF EXODUS 19:1-8
I want to point out that I agree fully to Scripture alone as the principal by which the meaning of holy should be tested. It is not the lazy man's way of defining holy, but the brain exercising way to define holy. My purpose is not to convince people to read all the scholarly materials on holy, though some are helpful, but to better equip them to understand the meaning of holy in the biblical text for themselves. Note this quote by a guy who exercised his brain pretty well and I understand had an IQ in the 160s.
Here one also has to be cautious not to take this quote too far. Einstein is not suggesting that reading others is a waste of time entirely, but he is more concerned that people develop their own habits of thinking rather than relying primarily or only on an authoritative source outside of one's own understanding. I like to think of it this way. It is the difference between those raised by parents to be adults themselves and those who remain mainly dependent on their parents even as adults. These thinkers are not independent thinkers.
The danger in going too far in one's independence is though like the person who becomes an adult and forbids themselves to ever get the advice of a parent. You can be independent even if you know your parents' view. That does not necessarily block you from independence unless you are still dependent on them can cannot chose other than their view.
So let's examine the text itself as a starting point:
Exodus 19:1-8
New King James Version (NKJV)
Israel at Mount Sinai
19 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain.
3 And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him. 8 Then all the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” So Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.
Jo Bailey Wells in her fine consideration of these verses points out some significant characteristics in this text. She points out some relevant parallelism in relationship to the definition of holy.
[This post with some other recent posts is under construction. Next week should afford another opportunity to revisit those that are incomplete. Sorry for the delay.]
In Christ,
Jon
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