HOLINESS

This title is slightly misleading. HOLINESS is not about righteousness or purity of spirit, but rather the need to fear and avoid sin. An old-fashioned jeremiad, it judges the community of the faithful and points out how they've strayed from God's path. The work will appeal to a limited audience; even many fundamentalist Christians will take issue with some of Blackaby's judgments. His stance in no way reflects upon Mel Foster's superior delivery. Foster understands the rhythms of the pulpit and the rhythms of this text in particular. His narration moves smoothly back and forth between a measured pace and a rousing call to salvation, and can powerfully evoke both anger and compassion. G.T.B.
(c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 04]