There is a reason that the qualifications for elders and deacons highlight and center on various aspects of holiness. Yes, the Lord’s servant must be “able to teach” (1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:2, 24). The doctrinal component must not be diminished or neglected. But, for the rest, the requirements include such notions as one who “manages” his household well, who is “above reproach,” “sober-minded,” “self-controlled,” “respectable,” “hospitable,” “not quarrelsome,” etc. It is striking not only how general these requirements are, but how many of these general requirements are included in the list.

 
1. DO YOU SEE THE NEED IN OUR DAY FOR A RENEWED EMPHASIS UPON THE PASTOR’S PERSONAL PIETY AND GODLINESS? IS LEGALISM OR LIBERTINISM THE MAIN PROBLEM AMONG MINISTERS TODAY?

I was recently told by an expert in areas ministerial that the greatest need for older ministers was biblical flexibility, and the greatest need for younger ministers was holiness. In my own limited experience, the latter is certainly the case. An oddly syncretistic view of “Hip-ness” seems to be replacing holiness as a priority in Christian life and ministry. This, I think, is directly traceable to a practical neglect of the holiness of God. There is a reason why R.C. Sproul’s Holiness of God lit, and still lights, a fire among so many Christians. It fills a lacuna in Christian thinking that cannot be filled by anything else. But the problem I have seen is that this holiness is not readily interpreted as a requirement for us as well. Or, if it is interpreted, it remains vague and undefined enough so that it is often too difficult to locate. Holiness, as I understand it, is a lifestyle of “transcendence.” It means that the Christian’s daily existence is supposed to transcend the “immanence” of everyday worldliness. Part of the problem, of course, is that “worldliness” takes different specific forms throughout history. This is one reason why the mandates of Scripture often purposely remain general, with the expectation that Christians will wisely apply those general truths to the specific forms of worldliness in their own age.

I will give three specific examples of these “general-to-specific” applications of Scripture, with a goal to the holiness of Christians, and Christian ministers, in the form of three questions, all of which will show the need for the application of Christian wisdom to the surrounding worldliness for purposes of Christian holiness, to the glory of God.

1. What does holiness require of a Christian minister with respect to his speech? I continue to be appalled at the offensive ways that Christians, and Christian ministers, routinely and casually, utter profanity in its various forms. To urge for a permanent mortification of this practice is not legalism. It is to recognize, as even the world does, that there is such a thing as offensive speech. Part of our calling is to make every effort to refrain from such offenses (Col. 4:6; Eph. 5:4). I remember my first experience of this years ago, when a Christian minister, in my presence, routinely shouted the “f” word when he sneezed, with a few chuckles afterword. I have heard many elders and teachers since who make the word a regular part of their vocabulary. I have heard gospel ministers openly and inappropriately remark about the attractiveness and attributes of other’s wives. “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

2. What does holiness require of a Christian minister with respect to his daily habits? This one is difficult, but no less necessary. What does it mean when Scripture says, “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.”? Does our lifestyle show that we are dominated by the abundance of food available to us, or an addictive substance, or our physical appearance, or…? If holiness is a lifestyle of “transcendence,” then it is necessary for us to transcend harmful and addictive behaviors that characterize the “immanence” of this world.

3. What does holiness require of a Christian minister with respect to his family? I occasionally ask the question, of myself and to others, “How many Christian marriages and/or families do you know that you would want to emulate?” Sin affects all families, and in a variety of ways, so this is not a question requiring perfection in marriage or family. But I am personally convinced that the growth and acceptance of homosexuality in our culture is directly related to the practical breakdown of marriages and the family in the church. This seems to me to be the one thing in the church that will speak the loudest in our culture, and perhaps not with happy cultural consequences. But a minister’s holiness must be reflected in his marriage and family, even when unavoidable sin takes its toll there. It is important to reiterate that Scripture is general in much of its instruction in these matters. But generality is not meant to lead to a lack of practice. It is meant to lead to the application of biblical wisdom that will specifically apply these general, biblical requirements to specific practices of holiness.

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