| Title | : | The Holy Spirit (Contours of Christian Theology, #6) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0830815368 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780830815364 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 288 |
| Publication | : | First published August 16, 1996 |
The Holy Spirit (Contours of Christian Theology, #6) Reviews
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Many people talk as if the Holy Spirit were the neglected person of the Trinity, the "forgotten" person of the Trinity. Christian theology apparently focused so exclusively on the Father and the Son that it took almost 2000 years for Pentecostals and Charismatics to come around and give the Spirit the attention He deserves. This is not true.
Sinclair Ferguson presents here the clear teaching about the Holy Spirit's person and work from the Scriptures beginning with the Old Testament and moving through the life of Christ, the life of the church, and the last days. Throughout the book he draws on insights from great theologians from the past and addresses current issues in Pneumatology. The Holy Spirit has not been neglected by Christian theology over the last 2000 years, and anyone who believes otherwise has simply neglected the rich legacy of theological reflection from our Christian forebears. -
Masterfully done. His emphasis on the christological and eschatological aspects of the Spirit’s work were really helpful.
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Sinclair Ferguson was a speaker at the 1997 Ligonier National Conference. RC Sproul introduced him. In doing so he shared a story that he had read in a book by Charles Allen many years prior. It went something like this: There was once a speaking contest between two men. Their topic was the 23rd Psalm. The first man took the podium and was something of a modern day Demosthenes. He was so eloquent, so inspiring, that when he finished the audience stood and cheered. The second man then came up. He was an unskilled speaker, quiet, a bit nervous perhaps, but there was something so powerfully compelling about his message that a stunned silence fell over the crowd. After the second speaker had left the stage, the moderator of the contest walked up to the microphone and said, "The first man knows the Psalm. The second knows the Shepherd."
Sproul then offered the reason for sharing that anecdote.
"I tell that story because our next speaker is a distinguished theologian of the highest magnitude...but when you hear Sinclair speak the thing that comes through is that he not only understands the depths of theology, but he knows God."
There was one more thing.
Sproul then mentioned that Ferguson had a new book out. It was called The Holy Spirit and was published as part of the Contours of Christian Theology series. Here was Sproul's opinion of it: he said it was the finest work on the Holy Spirit since Abraham Kuyper's The Work of the Holy Spirit was first published in English in the year 1900. -
An outstanding book by one of the best theologians of the modern age. I particularly liked his discussion of the "Spirit of Christ", and the argument that Christ's power to work miracles should be ascribed of the Holy Spirit enabling him to perform wonders and cast out demons. The view, prevalent among Fundamentalists and conservative evangelicals, that the miracles should be attributed to Christ's divine nature probably reflects their inadequate understanding of Christ's humanity. For instance, did Christ know about the woman of Samaria's marital history because he was God or because the Holy Spirit endowed him with a prophetic insight. It was the latter, because otherwise you would have to assume that Christ was omniscient in his human mind, which is an impossibility as a human mind cannot be omniscient. Dr Ferguson also interacts well with the modern charismatic movement, and especially with moderate continuationists such as Wayne Grudem. This is a book which every serious Reformed thinker should read - sooner rather than later.
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All too often, Reformed theology is accused of diminishing the Holy Spirit. Ferguson does an excellent job of proving the opposite true. Whether it be through the sacraments, our union with Christ, or our sanctification, the Spirit is at the center of our Christian lives. The chapters "The Spirit of Christ," "Spiritus Recreator," and "The Sanctifying Spirit" were personal highlights.
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Not scintillating, but solid.
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A masterful exposition of the work of the Spirit. Ferguson rightly positions pneumatology as being necessarily coupled with Christology, as the Spirit most of all seeks the glorification of the Son by accomplishing the proper union between him and his saints. Most of all, Ferguson proves that the Spirit accomplishes the comprehensive application of redemption, and Ferguson’s appreciation of those various soteriological components throughout demonstrates the Spirit’s uniqueness within the Trinitarian economy of salvation.
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There’s no doubt that Sinclair Ferguson is a savvy theological writer. There’s no doubt that the Contours of Christian Theology series by IVP is a theological heavyweight either. While I couldn’t exactly call this my favorite Ferguson title, it did dig deep as the series is known to do. Books in this series don’t merely regurgitate the main tenets of a doctrine but linger where it makes sense to look under stones where treasure might be found. I always reach for this series when I’m starting a detailed study of a particular doctrine.
Chapter 1 introduces the Holy Spirit in an effort to shorten the distance that stands between Him and most believers while explaining all kinds of theological perspectives. Chapter 2 looks at the Spirit of Christ by explaining “Paraclete” and scoping out the relationship between Christ and the Spirit. Chapter 3 looks at the gift of the Spirit by examining Pentecost. Chapter 4 tackles the ongoing aspects of Pentecost. Chapters 5 through 7 wades through the Spirit’s role in salvation. I felt the author bogged down in a pet subject here. His theological positions are well known, and whether you agree or not, perhaps some of this would have fit better in a different book. Chapter 8 looks at other issues involving the Spirit and salvation like first fruits and sealing. Chapter 9 reviews the relationship between the Spirit and the body before chapter 10 dives into the explosive territory of gifts. The final chapter on the “Cosmic Spirit” serves as a great conclusion.
Ferguson always stretches my mind. Whether I agree with him or not, I always find a warmness of one who loves Christ as he writes. There’s no way I’d study the Spirit and not see what he has to say.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. -
Comprehensive treatment of the third person of the Godhead, well worth reading. I can see this one being referred to again and again.
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"Christ has become 'life-giving Spirit'. Having the Spirit is equivalent, indeed the very mode, of having the incarnate, obedient, crucified, resurrected and exalted Christ indwelling us so that we are united to Him as He is united to the Father. (...) The trinitarian union and communion of the Father and Son in the Spirit is the analogy for the union and communion between Christ and his people (John 14:20)"
Christ became a life-giving Spirit! *ergo* pneumatology is not to be separated from Christology in any shape or form - Dr. Sinclair Ferguson presents a timely systematic work of theology in which the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, is the main "character" and Whose identity is tied to that of being The Spirit of Christ!
The first chapter deals with introductory matters and also with the Old Testament witness of the Spirit. He then proceeds to show how Christ is *the Man of the Spirit par excellence* and how, through the Gift of the Spirit, believers are united to the incarnate Messiah! Chapter 4 deals with the meaning of Pentecost and its unrepeatability.
The role of the Spirit in the so-called ordo salutis is treated; the trait of *Spiritus recreator* (the sixth chapter, which is arguably the best chapter) is presented;
the ministry of the Spirit in producing, in believers, the *telos* of the law through the fruit of the Spirit; in helping the believer pray; in baptizing them *into one body*; in making Christ known through the sacraments; in giving His church gifts for ministry (another great chapter, especially on the issue of cessation-continuation) are all facets of His work that the author skilfully handles.
The last chapter deals with the Spirit's endowing of gifts to "the just and the unjust" (i.e common grace) -- while also making it clear that such gifts (of design and craftsmanship Ex. 31:1-15) should not be confused with the marks of the covenant bond of salvation -- and the eschatological aspect of the Holy Spirit's ministry.
A standard Reformed take on pneumatology that's been extremely profitable! -
Simply magnificent. Sinclair Ferguson is, in my estimation, the greatest living theologian. His explanation of the Christian teaching about the Holy Spirit is balanced, scholarly, and thoroughly edifying.
As his focus, Ferguson considers the Person of the Spirit and then His distinct work (and, indeed, the work He accomplishes together with the Father and the Son).
Broadly, the book can be split into two main sections: how God the Holy Spirit is revealed in Scripture, and how the Holy Spirit of the Scriptures communes with us, the bride of Christ.
Of particular highlight in an all - over superb work, was his thorough deconstruction of the modern charismatic movement (while, at no point, being uncharitable) - showing how well - meaning, and otherwise orthodox folk, make serious category errors in their approach to multi - levelled prophecies.
Another highlight was Ferguson showing the Spirit's role in Christ's ministry on Earth: specifically, how the mircales and supernatural events of Christ's ministry cannot simply be attributed to the fact that He had a Divine nature, as such formulations tend to deify the human nature of Christ, making Him into a pseudo - human, pseudo - divine being with one mixed nature. Rather, Ferguson argues that supernatural, insightful knowledge was imparted by the Spirit of Christ.
The book stands as a work of great honour to the Holy Spirit, wiritten with great clarity in a time where the subject of God the Holy Spirit is in great confusion. -
Diria que é leitura obrigatória para todos os que desejam conhecer o que a Escritura tem a dizer sobre a Pessoa e obra do Espírito Santo de Deus. Essa obra magnífica junta exegese sã, teologia bíblica e sistemática sem perder o enfoque pastoral, sempre nos remetendo a Cristo, uma vez que o Espírito sempre nos aponta para Ele. Recomendadíssimo!
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This is a very academic and Biblical dissertation on the Holy Spirit. Not a light read but a very challenging and thought provoking one!
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R. C. Sproul calls Sinclair Ferguson the world’s leading expert on the person and work of the Holy Spirit today.
Sinclair Ferguson is one of those rare authors that gives you MUCH more than you bargained for.
In reading Ferguson, you’re not just learning about the Holy Spirit, but so much more - Union with Christ, sanctification, what it means to be made in the image of God, the history of sacraments, what it means to fall short of the glory of God. In reading great authors you reap the benefit of decades of wisdom compressed into a few hundred pages.
It's not a fast read. And you'll have to look up a few words in the dictionary. But great for reading a few pages every day in your Quiet Time.
Very Biblical and Christ-centered book.
"The center of the Spirit’s ministry: to illumine the person and work of Christ."
I've been a Christian a long time and have heard the Holy Spirit taught on many times. Reading this book made me feel like I had never understood the Holy Spirit before. -
Sinclair Ferguson's biblical-theological treatment on the Holy Spirit is a rich and sumptuous theological feast for any serious-minded believer who wants to know more about the so-called "shy member of the Trinity." In eleven meaty chapters, Ferguson gives a comprehensive, if not exhaustive, biblical overview of the person and work of the Holy Spirit, all along the way drawing on historical theology and charitably interacting with perspectives different from his own.
Chapter one, "The Spirit and His Story" surveys the Old Testament's more shadowy teaching on the Holy Spirit with a careful biblical-theological approach. "The Spirit of Christ" (chapter two) is an exceptionally rich chapter on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus. Christ is seen as the quintessential "Man of the Spirit." Because his entire life was lived in the Spirit's power (Ferguson starts with his conception and moves through the various aspects of Jesus' life all the way to exaltation), Jesus is now the "Lord of the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:18) - the One who sends the Spirit to his church to reproduce the "human holiness" of which he (Jesus) is the pattern.
This moves into the next two chapters, which focus on "The Gift of the Spirit" and "Pentecost Today?", exploring the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost and its significance in redemptive history and for believers today. "The Spirit of Order" (chapter five) discusses the ordo salutis (order of salvation) and how the Spirit applies the redemptive work of Christ to the individual believer. This is an excellent chapter which focuses on union with Christ as the central motif for understanding how the Spirit applies salvation in our lives. Throughout both this chapter and the entire book, Ferguson writes with a solid understanding of the inaugurated eschatology of the New Testament, allowing the "already/not yet" tension to inform his treatment of the various aspects of the ordo salutis (i.e. justification, regeneration, adoption, sanctification, glorification).
"Spiritus Recreator" (chapter six) discusses the Spirit's role in the new creation, while the next chapter, "The Spirit of Holiness," explores his role in sanctification. These were two of the most helpful chapters in the book for me personally. Ferguson maintains the Christ-centeredness with which he began the book as he shows how the Spirit reproduces the image of Christ in believers through his definitive act and progressive work of sanctification. Also very edifying is chapter eight, "The Communion of the Spirit," which deals with the personal ministry of the Spirit in the life of the believer as seal, firstfruits, and earnest/guarantee.
Chapters nine and ten talk about "The Spirit and the Body" and "The Gifts of the Spirit," the former discussing the role of the sacraments under the Spirit in the life of the church and the latter addressing the issue of spiritual gifts - with Ferguson taking a firm, though gentle, cessationist position. His critiques of Wayne Grudem deserve careful reflection from all who hold a continuationist perspective. The final chapter, "The Cosmic Spirit" discusses the Spirit's work in what we might call common grace and points us forward to the eschatological fulfillment of the Spirit's work in the world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book (the best book I read in 2008) and learned much from it. Ferguson's articulation of a Reformed view of the Holy Spirit is intelligent and persuasive. Theologians, biblical scholars, pastors, and serious layreaders would all benefit from this book. -
This was an incredible book. I only found objectionable that which any Baptist would find objectionable when reading any Presbyterian. What I particularly found helpful was Ferguson's discussions on:
- the Spirit's role in the Ordo Solutis
- repentance and faith
- the centrality of union with Christ
- Spiritual Christology (this particular discussion helped to scratch some itchiness that has been driving me crazy as of late).
This is definitely my favorite book of 2017 so far. Embarrassingly, this is the first Sinclair Ferguson book I have read all the way through, but it most certainly will not be the last. -
Sinclair Ferguson has put together a masterful work on the Holy Spirit. His knowledge, age utilization of the original languages are incredibly insightful for shedding light on the third member of the Trinity. He can be quite technical, but technicality is necessary for conveying the deep truth that Sinclair is addressing. For those who want their knowledge of the Holy Spirit depended, and challenged, this is the book for you.
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Masterful, thorough, and Biblical. Ferguson covers every aspect of the Holy Spirit in this theologically packed volume. I'd recommend any book in this "Contours of Christian Theology" series.
Ferguson's contribution is balanced. He covers the Spirit's work in individual regeneration and in the church corporately, and in the regeneration of all things, without prejudicing one over the other.
His view of the gifts of the Spirit was an especially helpful chapter. He is a cessationist, which is just fine with me. The gifts of the Spirit centered on the proclamation of the Word right from the very start of the New Testament, and the gifts of tongue speaking and prophecy ended with the close of the apostolic age. We are now in a post-apostolic age, where those gifts are not operating. Ferguson does not exclude the miraculous and supernatural working of God through the Spirit today, however, as the cessationist position is constantly accused of holding.
This work was spiritually edifying, especially in seeing the Spirit's work on behalf of the believer personally and sacramentally. The one down-side is that he uses very academic terminology, which will turn away most believers. Re-writing words like "repristinization" and "eschatologization" (on the last page!) would have been helpful to the reader. -
What a gift this book is to the church! The Holy Spirit may be one of my favorite books I've read in recent years. While I do not agree with everything Ferguson contends for, this book is a theological goldmine. His explanation of the Spirit's relationship to the Son is breath-taking. In commenting on 1 Corinthians 15:45, he says,
"Thus, to have the Spirit is to have Christ; to have Christ is to have the Spirit. Not to have the Spirit of Christ is to lack Christ. To have the Spirit of Christ is to be indwelt by Christ (Rom. 8:9-11). There is clear ontological distinction, but economic or functional equivalence. In this sense, through the resurrection and ascension, Christ ‘became life-giving Spirit’" (Ferguson, The Holy Spirit, 54).
Deep insights like this are scattered throughout the book. By God's grace, I love Jesus more after reading The Holy Spirit. Highly recommend! -
A very well done discussion about the Holy Spirit, though the author does seem to get off topic rather easily. I especially enjoyed his discussion on the role of the Holy Spirit in the Lord's Supper.
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Excellent. Not in full agreement with Ferguson on his view of the gifts of the Spirit, but he is charitable even where he disagrees. And his overall grasp of the Spirit's role in the New Testament is brilliant.
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Combines the best of historical and systematic theology. I think his defense of the Filioque could have been a lot stronger and more convincing.
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This is one that I've started a few times but never followed through on all the way. Donald MacLeod's book in the same series, on the person of Christ, is one of my favorite theology books I've ever read, and this one by Ferguson on the Holy Spirit is also quite good—very clearly written, and a great blend of exegetical work with systematic and historical theology tie-in.
I particularly liked the first chapters where he discusses the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and the doctrine of the Trinity, and the last chapters where he deals with the charismaticism, and recent moves toward universalistic understandings of the Holy Spirit's work. His discussions seem fair, even-handed, and insightful. He probably is a bit more of a hard-line cessationist that I'd be comfortable with, but he makes some helpful distinctions that I think could go a long way toward bridging the gap between Pentacostal and the more traditional evangelical understanding of charismatic gifts. When it comes down to it, the argument for hard cessationism to me just has too little explicit exegetical warrant (it's really based more on broader thematic considerations). But as I said, Ferguson is perfectly sensitive to the complexities of the issue.
Regarding the universal reach of the Holy Spirit's work, he just makes the distinction between the Spirit's activity in creation as God and his specifically redemptive/saving activity. When that difference is recognized, much confusion can be cleared. There is certainly mystery and room for us to just admit there are things we don't know, but at least we can be clearer about where the mystery actually lies. -
I bought this book after reading so many theology books by various authors yet never coming to a strong foundation in my Pnuematic theology. I was recommended this book on a website and quickly ordered it as I was already a fan of Sinclair Furgeson.
In this book Furgeson puts forth his knowledge and wisdom in fine form and fashion creating a read that by far has exceeded many other books I've read discussing the "Who" of the Holy Spirit.
Another note I would like to add is that many of the other books I have read on the Holy Spirit try and stay away from certain topics such as gifts of ministry, but Ferguson artfully masters this topic is a way so as not to offend or displease those of us Spirit filled Christians who equally love Christ but disagree on other minute theological points.
I did have one minor setback, I was really hoping to get more into the old testament Spirit ministry but overall I am not displeased at all with this book. Well done Mr. Ferguson. -
I think this is very important reading as the Holy Spirit is extremely misunderstood.
Our understanding of the Holy Spirit has an immense impact on not only our reading of Scripture but how we live our lives.
Sinclair clearly explains how we should understand the Holy Spirit through the redemptive-historical story of the Bible and his relation to Christ. This flows on to how we should understand Pentecost, Acts and the mentions/appearances of the Spirit in the gospel accounts.
Although academic in nature, it is written clearly and answers directly most of the common (popular) questions about the Spirit. In this way, the teaching is clearly applied to our lives and for me, many mistakes or errors were challenged and corrected.
Highly recommend with the caveat that it probably should not be the first book you read on the Holy Spirit. -
Written with the seminarian in mind, this work uses a lot of technical language, including Greek and Latin terms. Because I have been under strong biblical teaching for most of my Christian life, this book introduced me to little new knowledge about the Holy Spirit and His unique work. I have a four-year college education, but was forced to read this with an open dictionary to be able to understand what the author was trying to convey much of the time. It is not a bad thing to expand one's vocabulary, but, as I've told my children when reviewing their written work, if the reader cannot understand what you have written, you have failed to communicate, which is the point of communication. Your average layman would likely face the same challenges I did.
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Is the Spirit a force or a person? Is the Holy Spirit only for Christians, or for anyone, like King Cyrus? Does the Holy Spirit change in the New Testament from the Old? How does the giving of the law on Mount Sinai relate to the giving of the Spirit at Pentecost? What is the central task of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life? Is the Spirit making me more divine or more human? How does the Holy Spirit’s ministry better help me articulate the gospel message? Does the Spirit belong to Christ? What role does the Spirit play in the Lord’s Supper? Ferguson carefully guides the reader through Scripture to consider questions like these and many more. I highly recommend it.
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outstanding book. It will remain my chosen desert island book on the Holy Spirit. My only one caveat is that I do wish Sinclair didn't feel it necessary to write with such difficult and sometimes really obscure English words - on a couple of occasions they weren't even in the Oxford Concise Dictionary - and not just theological words either - just obscure English. HOWEVER the work is brilliant. Thank you Dr. Ferguson.
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Ferguson, not exhaustively, offers quite a comprehensive explanation of the identity, history, and workings of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, my feeble brain had a difficult time tracking with a lot of it. This is the kind of book one needs to take slowly and accompany it with a good dictionary and thesaurus. With that said, I believe this book was definitely beneficial in broadening my understanding of the Spirit.
