September 26, 2005 - Be Ye Holy: Toward a Holistic Theology of Separation (Part I)

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Be Ye Holy: Toward a Holistic Theology of Separation (Part I)
By Joshua Remington
September 26, 2005

The Old Testament
In the Old Testament everyone hates the Israelites. But why?

Perhaps it was their insistence on being so different—they dressed differently, they ate differently, they certainly worshipped differently, and who could forget their very different *AHEM* surgical practices. Why were the Israelites so different?

The short answer—a strong doctrine of separation. The Israelites as a people were to be separate from the nations around them. The Levites were to be separate from the people in general, and the priests were to be even further separated from the Levites. In addition, people were able to show their love to God by taking upon themselves various other vows of separation such as the Nazarite vow that Samson lived under. The Israelites were a separated people. This wasn’t some doctrine that they came up with on their own however; it was clearly instituted by God Himself. He was the one who desired the children of Israel to be separated unto Him. He was the one who demanded them to be holy, an obligation predicated upon His own holiness.

The Apostolic Approach
Separation and holiness come from God. The proof of this is that these doctrines did not belong to the Old Testament children of God alone. Even when Jesus came and fulfilled the Law, there was still a command to be holy: “Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’” (II Corinthians 6:17), even after the abolishment of the nitpicking intricacies of the Law. With no ready-made rule book to draw from any more, the Apostles, particularly Paul, set about trying to establish exactly what it meant to live separated from the world.

Now fast forward to the Apostolic Pentecostal (AP) movement today. Okay, sorry… now rewind about a hundred years. With the outpouring of the Holy Ghost and the Pentecostal revival that was sweeping the United States, many people recognized the need to live holy and separate from their world, something that had been forgotten for many centuries. Out of this Pentecostal revival and holiness movement were born the many organizations that make up the AP movement of today (to which you can now fast forward again).

Currently the AP movement is in a fascinating place. There have been many arguments throughout the past several years over how we are to live separate from the world. These arguments have raged on the pages of this webzine, in the pages of magazines, and even on the floor of the General Conference of the UPCI. The one focus nearly every argument centers on is the physical—How do we dress? How do we eat? How do we worship? What is our position on (genetic) surgery? Perhaps closer to home—What can we watch on TV? Is it okay to go to the movies?

Separation in my own Life
Much to your great disappointment I’m sure, I am not going to even address these questions. What I would like to ask you is whether or not your separation is deeper than mere outward appearance. Now, I’m sure you have read the articles, the mail and the survey answers that have made it quite clear that holiness begins in the heart. What we typically mean by that is that standards should be followed out of a love for God instead of simply obeying a list of rules. What I would like to suggest is that part of what separates us from the world, part of the rules if you will, should be in our hearts as well.

For instance:
■ What do you value?
■ What do you love or hate?
■ What is the basis for making decisions in your life?
■ What kind of attitude do you have at work or when your teacher is clearly being unfair?

These things are a part of what separates us from society. If we follow the Word of God, these things will truly make us separate. The challenge for those of us who have been raised in the church is to remember that holiness is more than a mere checklist of rules to follow. Holiness is also a spiritual and mental separation from an ungodly world. Holiness means we are separated from society unto God. And that separation goes far beyond outward appearances.

What exactly does this internal separation from the world look like? That is a question that will have to be answered individually by each person. Yet there are some guidelines given in scripture as well as some ideas and philosophies in the world that are widely recognized as ungodly (or as John would say “antichrist”). Next week I’ll be speaking about specific applications.

ninetyandnine.com

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Joshua Remington has recently graduated from Urshan Graduate School of Theology. With all this extra knowledge he is able to do a better than average job of bumming at his parents house until he gets a job enlightening the minds of college students in Florida. Pray saints, pray.