The language of perfection crops up regularly in the Bible, from Noah (“a just man and perfect in his generations,” KJV) to Jesus (“be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect,” NRSV). Is flawless behavior what God expects, the only standard of righteousness that can satisfy him? Jewish tradition has long questioned this Christian assumption. Since Sanders and the New Perspective on Paul, it has come under increasing challenge from many directions. In Reclaiming Human Wholeness , Kent Yinger provides an in-depth examination of what the Bible intends with this perfection-wholeness language and of its impact on theology and spiritual life. Rather than calling to an unreachable perfection, the God of the Bible desires our flourishing and wholeness. "Kent Yinger's latest publication is a fine contribution to the field of biblical scholarship generally and in particular to the subject under investigation--perfection. Yinger demonstrates that the popular conception of perfection as sinlessness is unbiblical and needs to be adjusted in light of the pertinent exegetical data. The volume surveys the history of the doctrine, examines the biblical materials, and concludes with a consideration of the church's pursuit of perfection. All in all, one need look no further for an all-around treatment of this important topic." --Don Garlington, author of The Obedience of Faith "Kent Yinger's work is more than a well-researched supplementary study of the topic of biblical perfection. It is a must read that will change how one thinks about faith, righteousness, sanctification, and Christian living. It clarifies the biblical presentation of the response that God desires to God's offer of grace. This work has historical-reconstructive, theological, and pastoral ramifications for understanding the nature of faith and righteousness--that is, living by a wholehearted response to God." --Rodney Duke, Professor of Religion, Appalachian State University "'Be perfect' (Matt 5:48)--this little command in the Bible has always perplexed me. Who can be perfect? Yinger has convincingly argued that here, and elsewhere in the Bible, 'perfection' language is not about obeying God without mistakes or errors, but rather about wholehearted love and loyalty to God. All students of the Bible will benefit from Yinger's important book." --Nijay K. Gupta, Associate Professor of New Testament, Portland Seminary Kent L. Yinger, retired Professor of New Testament at Portland Seminary (George Fox University), is the author of The New Perspective on Paul: An Introduction (2011) and God and Human Wholeness: Perfection in Biblical and Theological Tradition (2019).