What Does the Bible Really Say About Perfection?

God told Abraham, and Jesus told His disciples, "Be perfect." Is perfection essential to salvation? Or is it an unreachable moral ideal attained only by Jesus? Does it involve complete victory over sin? J. R. Zurcher analyzes the Greek and Hebrew words involved, examines the lives of other Bible characters who are called "perfect," and deals with the major Ellen G. White statements on the topic. The author concludes that the perfection to which we are called is attainable, but is relative and not absolute. "More than repentant sinners," we may be come "dedicated saints."

"Christian Perfection is simple and clear, easy to read, and leaves the reader with no doubt about the conclusions you draw. . . . I believe it would be of benefit to many readers who are troubled and perhaps confused. They have been told that no one is perfect and never can achieve this high goal, but they also believe that somehow perfection is a Christian requirement. They need a simple, biblical, and convincing explanation."-Neils-Erik Andreasen.

"In recent years the concept of perfection has been bad-mouthed by liberals, and our people need to have it put in proper perspective, as set forth in the Bible and Ellen White's writings. This book does that in a nonapologetic way."-Kenneth H. Wood.

J. R. Zurcher, a citizen of Switzerland, has a Ph.D. from the University of Geneva. The newly founded Adventist university in Madagascar bears his name. He has been a trustee of the Ellen G. White Estate and a member of the Biblical Research Committee. He has served many years as a professor of theology and also as a secretary of the Euro-Africa Division.

As a professor and administrator, Zurcher taught in Collonges, France; Tananarive, Madagascar; and South Lancaster, Massachusetts. Previous books include The Nature and Destiny of Man, So Spoke Jesus, Christ of the Revelation, and Touched With Our Feelings.