Review of DeYoung's The Hole In Our Holiness

The Hole in Our Holiness: Filling the Gap between Gospel Passion and the Pursuit of Godliness by Kevin DeYoung

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Having grown up in a movement stereotyped as over-concerned for the Holiness of God, I found this book to be a breath of fresh air. Written by a man from the "Young, Reformed, and Restless" generation, I appreciate the humility and boldness to challenge our generation with the Gospel mandate to pursue holiness. Thankfully, holiness according to DeYoung is not an end in itself; rather, at its core, the main motivation for holiness is the pleasure of God (pg. 74). In other words, there is joy in what God values and we experience this joy through obedience.

The central theological point of this book is the often neglected doctrine of Union with Christ (and according to DeYoung, most neglected in the doctrine of salvation, see page 95). Those who are dispensational should not be alarmed, but need to appreciate where DeYoung is coming from. When God made the covenant with Christ, before the foundation of the world to redeem a bride, our union with Christ was sealed.

"Every blessing is received in Christ (Eph. 1:3). No aspect of our salvation can be excluded from our union with him. This is the foundation and basis for all his gifts. So while it's appropriate for theologians to talk about an 'order of salvation' (ordo solutes), repentance, justified, adopted, sanctified, preserved, and glorified, we must never separate these benefits from the Benefactor. Every blessing in the order of salvation flows from our union of Christ" (p. 94).

Readers will appreciate the fact that DeYoung has not tried to make a list of what is and what isn't acceptable to God. In his chapter called Piety's Pattern, he gives a backward glance at what holiness is not. He assures us that it is not mere rule keeping, generational imitation, generic spirituality, "finding yourself," nor the way of the world. So not to spoil things for you, I will let you discover what he says holiness looks like. I will share one of his definitions as it affected me directly. DeYoung candidly illustrates with his own short-comings how holiness is seen practically in a clean conscience.

In spite of DeYoung's refusal to quote the 'traditional list' of 'do's and don'ts,' DeYoung does not hesitate to call down the contemporary church for its casualness with sexual immorality. I was deeply blessed by this book, and would recommend it for those who are in church leadership, who have spiritual oversight of a flock. The nature of the book will not necessarily 'convince' the gainsayer, but it will provide help for those who realize the importance of holiness and need help articulating this biblical truth.