Reflections on Hermann Cremer, The Christian Doctrine of the Divine Attributes, First Series, Divine Attributes Disclosed in Revelation, 1. The Holiness of God
This is an invitation to discuss this chapter if you have read it. If you have not read it, you may ask questions. In about one week I will post reflections on and an invitation to discuss Part 2, The Righteousness of God, pp. 29-43 (the first half).
If you read this chapter, you cannot help but be inspired. According to Cremer, God’s holiness, known only through revelation, is the unity of his judgment and grace brought about by God’s love in his election of those who trust in him. “Believers experience grace and judgment, judgment and grace, judgment through grace; the lost experience only judgment.” (21) And they experience only judgment because they do not let themselves be bound to Christ through the Holy Spirit. (23)
God’s holiness, Cremer argues, is his opposition to sin combined with his grace which judges sin but saves. “The holiness of God demands purification from sin, but also provides it, exposing sin but then covering it and doing away with it (Isa 6).” (26)
Cremer rejects the common idea that God’s holiness is manifested in and through the moral law. For him, it is manifested in the Old Testament through “cult”—the God-provided rituals of purification. Ultimately, however, God’s holiness is shown by his election of sinful people. Cremer says much about “election” that pre-echoes what Barth will say later.
I often look for one sentence in a chapter, one sentence that is especially informative and/or inspiring. Here is one such on page 28 and I intend to work it into a sermon on election this Sunday (“The Election that Matters Most”): “Fellowship with Gods is only possible if he, of his own accord, in a free act of love chooses someone.”
Barth never tired of saying that God’s divinity is not in conflict with but shown through his saving deeds including especially the cross. Cremer says “Through the revelation of the holiness of God, we see for the first time the actual divinity of God.” (29) And the revelation of God’s holiness is not only judgment but even more forgiving grace.
In contrast to so much academic theology, this chapter (and maybe this whole book) expresses the gospel, the good news, that God is savior and his grace toward us is the expression of his holiness. Yes, to be sure, God’s judgment is also an expression of his holiness. But, ultimately, the two cannot be separated. God’s holiness simply is the unity of his judgment and grace, his grace and judgment in contrast to sin and is saving sinners from sin.
*Note: If you choose to comment, make sure your comment is relatively brief (no more than 100 words), on topic, addressed to me, civil and respectful (not hostile or argumentative), and devoid of pictures or links. Comment only if you have read the assigned portion; if you have not read it you may ask a question.*
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