Holier Than Thou!
Holier Than Thou!
Introduction
Part 3 in this series on "Faith Alone" finishes by examining another often twisted phrase from the book of Isaiah, namely the concept of the infamous "Holier Than Thou." Surely, opponents to the notion of a pure works-based Gospel will call people such as myself, "Holier Than Thou!" They'll say, "You just think you're better than me! You're a 'Holiler Than Thou'!" But this is completely divorced from context and is fallacious. We have learned that the notion of "Faith Alone" is impossible in view of the Greek meaning of pisteuo eis used in the Gospels; we began to look at two bed-rock concepts that underlie the "Faith Alone" conclusion, starting with Isaiah 64:6. Part 3 will continue that examination by looking at the second concept, that of the "Holier Than Thou." As has been mentioned before, these two verses in Isaiah are probably two of the most often-cited, but misinterpreted, verses used to establish "the sin issue." If we can properly situation these two verses in their context, and consider what God says through the Prophets about his law, then we will better understand what's expected of us.
Isaiah 65:5 Kept in Context
The phrase “holier than thou” originates from Isaiah 65:5, where God rebukes a group of people who say, “Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou.” This passage has often been misapplied, stripped of its context to criticize anyone striving for righteous living. These people are also called "Legalists" or "Legalistic." Sound familiar? These "rebukes" are commonly heard each Sunday morning in many, many Christian churches. Nobody wants to be labeled a Holier Than Thou." But a closer look at Isaiah reveals the true nature of these so-called “holier” individuals: they are hypocrites, yes. We all agree on that. But these particular hypocrites are steeped in abominable practices, yet arrogantly proclaim themselves as holy. You would be surprised to know just what these people are doing and who these people are in our modern context.
"Ye Hypocrites!"
In Isaiah 65, God describes these people as rebellious, walking in ways that are not His (Isaiah 65:2). We read at length;
1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. 2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; 3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick; 4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine's flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels; 5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
We find that these "Holier Than Thous" engage in practices explicitly forbidden in the Torah, such as eating swine’s flesh and other unclean things (Verse 4). Yet, in their hypocrisy, they declare themselves holier than others, even those striving to live lawfully. Their attitude is not one of true holiness but of self-righteous justification of sin. They elevate their rebellion and disdain those who keep God’s law, creating a grotesque irony. These same rebellious people doing these abominatins are the same ones whose righteousness are as filthy rags (Isaiah 65:6). Remember the context of Isaiah: a lament over a once godly nation falling into all sorts of wickedness and abomination, who justify themselves in their sins and who won't repent and forsake them.
Paulinists: The Modern Holier Than Thou
This attitude mirrors that of modern-day Paulinists. Much like the hypocrites in Isaiah, Paulinists justify their abominable practices of eating unclean foods by twisting scripture to suit their desires. Let's see Paul's "holier than thou" attitude and his license to sin:
Romans 14:1-3; 14-17 -- "One believes that he may eat all things" / "another, who is weak eateth herbs"(v.2) / Paul is convinced "by Jesus" that "Nothing is unclean itself"(v.14). Paul defines the "food issue" as a "doubtful disputation" (v.1); his conclusion is that "nothing is unclean itself" and that each party shouldn't judge or despise the other (v.1). Paul defines a strong person as someone who can eat anything; a weak person restricts their diet to "only herbs."
1 Corinthians 8:4,7-13 -- "We know an idol is nothing in the world" (Paul "knows" this--v.4); "Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge" (v.7) / "Take heed lest by any means this liberty [context: liberty to eat meat sacrificed to idols, v. 4] become a stumbling block to them that are weak [herb-only eaters]" (v.9) / "But food will not commend us to God" (he means whether we eat or abstain)(v.8). Paul very clearly identifies himself as having "knowledge that an idol is nothing" and who "has liberty" to eat food sacrificed to idols. He says, "Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend." Paul said he becomes weak to the weak; but he also uses his "liberty" to also eat things sacrificed to idols for he says, "I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." Paul will do "whatever it takes" to "save some"--even if it means eating meat sacrificed to idols! (See Jesus in Matthew 23:15).
1 Corinthians 10:25-32 -- "Whatsoever is sold in the shambles [market], that eat, asking no question for conscience sake"(v.25) / [likewise...] "whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake"(v.27) / "Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the others': for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?"(v.29). Here, Paul says that it's ok to eat whatever is available in the market, or whatever is placed before you (like at a guest's house). Why? Because you have liberty to; Paul says, Why is my liberty to do this judged by another man's conscience? It's ok by mine!
The record shows that Paul's entire point in all three places is that this is a "doubtful" and "divisive" issue that doesn't matter unless it offends a "weaker brother." But Paul tells his readers that, despite that one condition, like himself, they otherwise have "liberty" to eat what they want. Moreover, he tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:1-5 that whoever teaches to abstain from meat is teaching a doctrine of demons. Paul is lying when he said not to judge others for being weak, did he not? Here he is judging another man's conscience!
Paulinists abuse their liberty, for they say one thing and do another, convinced that if a person attempts to abide by the Law that they are "fallen from grace" (Galatians 5:4). Paul very clearly allows for his disciples to eat whatever they want, without asking questions, for their own conscience sake. Anyone bold enough to dispute that claim is not longer just "weak" but is now teaching "doctrines of devils." Thus, in a twist of irony, the Paulinist becomes the "set apart" one, and their "weak brethren" who are careful to observe God's dietary restrictions are "doomed." Do you see the same mentality on display in Paul as we see in those "Holier Than Thou" workers of iniquity in Isaiah? It's clear as day! They claim to be the truly “set apart” ones, condemning those who strive to keep God’s commandments as legalistic or misguided. In doing so, they repeat the same error: glorifying their sin while rejecting God’s standard of holiness. And what do they say? "Your righteousness are as filthy rags if you attempt to keep those laws! I'm saved by grace through faith alone! I DON'T NEED THE LAW."
Conclusion of Series
Moses, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and, especially, Jesus give clear warnings against this kind of hypocrisy. These true Prophets are inspired by God and agree that works of righteousness is the way of life, contrary to the doctrine of the Paulinists who blaspheme and trample on God's law. Isaiah's terminology in particular, of "righteousness are as filthy rags" and "holier than thou," are not an attack on lawful obedience but is a condemnation of those who justify their rebellion and look down on those who seek to follow God’s ways. True holiness is not found in self-righteous arrogance but in humble submission to God’s law. Those who ignore this truth, while claiming to be holy, deceive themselves and face the same judgment as the hypocrites Isaiah denounces.