God’s Way of Holiness by Horatius Bonar
God’s Way of Holiness by Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)
Bonar was born in 1808 and died 1889 (aged 80). He came from a long line of ministers. He and his fathers served the Church in Scotland for a total of 364 years. In 1843, he married Jane C. Bonar, who, like Horatius, was a hymnwriter and poet. Horatius Bonar published some 100 hymns during his life. Bonar was one of the several extremely influential ministers in Scotland at the time and was able to reach 100s of 1000s even in his day. Horatius Bonar was a well-versed man and had many hats to wear. He was a pastor for over 50 years, seminary professor, author, poet, hymnwriter, husband, and father of nine.
He had passion and conviction to speak God’s truth which was apparent even from his very first sermon. He spoke, “My dear brethren, I do not come to address you after the manner of man’s wisdom, nor with words of human eloquence, but to speak to your souls of the things which concern your eternity – to stir you up to see in good earnest salvation for yourselves and for others” (Horatius Bonar, God’s Way of Peace, p. 7).
Description of the Book
This book serves as a part two of God’s Way of Peace (see book above). The first thing that needed to be dealt with in soteriology (the study of faith) is the freedom from anxiety. To have peace with and in God. So, continuing this train of thought, in this book, Bonar teaches us how in our salvation, we are to strive to live in holiness and continually become more holy. As Bonar starts his book, “The way of peace and the way of holiness lie side by side, or rather, they are one. That which bestows the one imparts the other; and he who takes the one takes the other also. The Spirit of peace is the Spirit of holiness. The God of peace is the God of holiness” (p. 15).
This book does an excellent job introducing the topic of holiness and challenges the reader to seek a deeper and higher level of sanctification and holiness on a daily basis. This is an excellent book in the modern age because these topics are frequently overlooked or overshadowed by other teachings despite its necessity for salvation.
Three quotes from the book
“It is to a new life that God is calling us; not to some new steps in life, some new habits or ways or motives or prospects, but to a new life.” - p. 17
“Our responsibility to be holy is great, but not greater than the means provided for its full attainment.” - p. 46
“The Word must be studied in all its fulness. Over its whole length and breadth we must spread ourselves. Above all theologies, creeds, catechisms, books and hymns, the Word must be meditated on, that we may grow in the knowledge of all its parts, and assimilation to its models.” - p. 126
Where the book is currently published
This book is currently published by Christian Focus along with several other titles by Bonar that are also worth purchasing and reading thoroughly.