1. Our Holy God Our holiness doctrine is rooted in our belief in a holy God.

2. Holy Humans Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15 “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15 “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.”

3. Holy Humans “God’s appearance on Mount Sinai “is described as both frightening and attractive, daunting and fascinating … This is not a danger to be escaped from, but to be approached as nearly as possible … this is a good place, infinitely better than ordinary places.” Donald E. Gowan Theology in Exodus “God’s appearance on Mount Sinai “is described as both frightening and attractive, daunting and fascinating … This is not a danger to be escaped from, but to be approached as nearly as possible … this is a good place, infinitely better than ordinary places.” Donald E. Gowan Theology in Exodus

4. Holiness Hebrew “Qadosh” Means “separation” or “elevation” Applied to God – he is separated and elevated above all deities. Applied to other than God – someone or something separated from common or profane use to God’s use. Hebrew “Qadosh” Means “separation” or “elevation” Applied to God – he is separated and elevated above all deities. Applied to other than God – someone or something separated from common or profane use to God’s use.

5. Encountering a Holy God Isaiah 6:1-4  Isaiah  LORD  Throne  Holy, holy, holy  Doorposts and thresholds shook … the Temple was filled with smoke Isaiah 6:1-4  Isaiah  LORD  Throne  Holy, holy, holy  Doorposts and thresholds shook … the Temple was filled with smoke

6. Discussion Compare/contrast your experience with God to Isaiah’s experience with God. Would you describe your experience as “dramatic,” as Isaiah’s experience, or would you describe your God encounter in more tame language? Compare/contrast your experience with God to Isaiah’s experience with God. Would you describe your experience as “dramatic,” as Isaiah’s experience, or would you describe your God encounter in more tame language?

7. Encountering a Holy God JESUS “The Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly what God is like.” Hebrews 1:3 (NCV) JESUS “The Son reflects the glory of God and shows exactly what God is like.” Hebrews 1:3 (NCV)

8. God expects us to be Holy Leviticus 20:7-8 “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Leviticus 20:7-8 “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.”

9. God expects us to be Holy We are made in God’s image. We differ from animals - we can: 1.Love; 2.Reason; 3.Hold authority over creation; 4.Exercise moral volition (the ability to make conscious decisions related to issues of right and wrong). We are made in God’s image. We differ from animals - we can: 1.Love; 2.Reason; 3.Hold authority over creation; 4.Exercise moral volition (the ability to make conscious decisions related to issues of right and wrong).

10. Holiness of God Transcendence OmnipotenceOmnipresenceOmniscienceEternalityAseity Moral Excellence LoveAuthorityReasonMoral Volition Characteristics of God

11. Discussion 1.When you think of how we exercise authority (Genesis 1:26) – how does this affect the way you approach environmental issues? 2.Why is the quality of volition (the freedom to choose) the highest of all qualities? 1.When you think of how we exercise authority (Genesis 1:26) – how does this affect the way you approach environmental issues? 2.Why is the quality of volition (the freedom to choose) the highest of all qualities?

12. Made In God’s Image IMAGE MAN MIRROR

13. Made In God’s Image MAN MIRROR = Soul IMAGE = Man in right relation to God

14. Discussion Describe two personal strengths in which you are most like God. Describe two personal weaknesses in which you are most unlike God. Write out what you can do to enhance your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. Describe two personal strengths in which you are most like God. Describe two personal weaknesses in which you are most unlike God. Write out what you can do to enhance your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.