Excellence in Biblical Terms

While written almost 30 years ago, this poll of Christian leaders provides some interesting fodder for how to define excellence from a Biblical perspective:

What, then, does excellence—as it is described in the Bible—mean for the Christian? Influential Christian scholars and leaders replied to this question in a recent survey that I administered. Their answers are enlightening.

Following out to its end the intrinsic character of a quality, event, or mode of being, and seeing this pursuit in light of…the resurrection—that all things cohere in Christ.—Martin Marty

Doing all to the glory of God, which requires my best.— Hudson Armerding

Discovering who we are as Christ’s people, and committing ourselves to live out his radical servant lifestyle within the body of Christ—Larry Richards

There is no such thing as Christian excellence, just as there is no Christian hamburger; but a Christian will strive for excellence (i.e., integrity) with every task he attempts. It could mean making the very best hamburger you can— with plenty of onion, tomato, and pickle.—Haddon Robinson

Wholism, or seeing the whole of life as subject to the lordship of Jesus Christ: may be at the core of Christian excellence. And at the center of such wholism is wholesomeness.—David Moberg

All of these definitions focus on important elements of what excellence means for the Christian: glorifying God, being servants, seeing things in light of the resurrection, having integrity, and being wholistic and wholesome in attitude. Thus, “excellence” is an umbrella term.