This book was not what I expected. Let’s just say that it isn’t J. C. Ryle 2.0 for sure. No, it was something else. Since I already own Ryle, though, maybe that’s a good thing. To be fair, I just didn’t read the blurbs carefully enough because it was exactly what it professed to be. It’s holiness from the Wesleyan tradition. Since Wesley’s day they’ve been joined at the hip with their teaching on holiness. To be sure, these authors have laid out a cogent case for their perspective. Agree, or like me, not, you will learn much in this passionate, yet respectful work.

There’s a bonus here as well. I love big picture biblical theology. The first chapter was incredible and could hold its own with any biblical theology works (and I’ve read a lot of them). Since the Pentateuch is so foundational to biblical theology, this chapter is key. Holiness is covered, but there’s so much more. Two more chapters finish the Old Testament.

Part Two covers the New Testament and as you probably can guess Paul’s writings are where they make the heart of their case. Here many will disagree, but at least they so clearly make their case.

Part Three takes holiness through church history. You can decide for yourself if it’s on target or skewed.

The final section traces holiness through the whole of systematic theology before turning practical in “the when and how of holiness”. I find the most sympathy with “the longer way”. Taking the whole as a call to maturity means the work is even not bereft of devotional value.

To those who follow the Wesleyan tradition, this must be a jewel. To rest of us it’s a window to look in. Perhaps we do not agree, but we must tip our hats. This is a good book.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.