Here in Spirit - by Jonathan K Dodson (Paperback)

About the Book

Sizing up the Holy Spirit based on a few of his gifts is a big mistake. He should be known for much more. Who is the Spirit? Is he a person or a spiritual force? How are believers meant to relate to him? What does being filled with the Spirit look like? Instead of relating narrowly to the Holy Spirit, this book will broaden Christians' engagement with him by touring aspects of his vast character often unexplored.

Book Synopsis

"I'll be there in spirit."We say this knowing it isn't really possible. Yet we often find ourselves dislocated from the present, inattentive to things in front of us: people, work, culture, ministry opportunities, prayer, and even the Spirit himself. The Holy Spirit, however, relocates us in the present, motivating us to fully engage whatever God puts before us. Instead of relating narrowly to the Spirit based on just a few of his gifts, this book broadens our engagement with him, touring aspects of his vast character that often go unexplored. It turns out, living here in the Spirit is the source of the most meaningful, creative, satisfying life possible.

Review Quotes

"As its name suggests, Here in Spirit is a thoughtful discussion of why Christians should not only live in the moment, but in the Spirit as well. Each chapter unveils another revelation of what the Father wants for and from the followers of his Son and why his Spirit is key to it all. Well organized and illustrated, Dodson has gifted the church with a user-friendly pneumatology (doctrine of the Holy Spirit) that seeks to motivate church members to grow in their understanding and experience of the third member of the Holy Trinity. An important book, I heartily recommend it!"

--Gary Tyra, professor of biblical and practical theology, Vanguard University, author of Getting Real: Pneumatological Realism and the Spiritual, Moral, and Ministry Formation of Contemporary Christians

"I've lost count of the number of books I've read on the Holy Spirit. I've even written a few myself. After a while they all start to sound the same, and I lose interest. Trust me when I say that this will most assuredly not happen to you on reading Jonathan Dodson's excellent book, Here in Spirit. It is a surprisingly fresh, exquisitely written, biblically rooted, and experientially honest presentation of the Spirit of God as a person with whom we commune right here, right now. Dodson doesn't avoid the controversial elements in the Spirit's work, but that isn't his focus. His aim is to help us grow in our relationship with the Spirit and to open our eyes and hearts to the multifaceted ministries of the third person of the Godhead. I can't recommend this book too highly."

--Sam Storms, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City

"In Here in Spirit, Jonathan Dodson invites us to look up from the usual squabbles over the role of the Holy Spirit and drink in a grander, richer view of the third person of the Trinity. From the cosmic span of the Spirit who sustains all creation, to his involvement in the ordinary rhythms of our daily lives, this book offers us a deep and yet readable account, which invites us not just to learn about the Spirit but to fall deeper in love with him."

--Mark Sayers, senior leader at Red Church, Melbourne, author of Strange Days and Disappearing Church

"Warm, pastoral, and filled with scriptural truth and wisdom, Here in Spirit reintroduces us to the Holy Spirit so that we come to love him as a person and depend ever more on his power."

--Trevin Wax, Bible and reference publisher at LifeWay Christian Resources, author of This Is Our Time

About the Author

Jonathan K. Dodson (MDiv, ThM) is the founding pastor of City Life Church in Austin, Texas, which he started with his wife, Robie, and a small group of people. He is also the founder of Gospel-Centered Discipleship and author of Gospel-Centered Discipleship, The Unbelievable Gospel: Say Something Worth Believing, and Raised? Finding Jesus by Doubting the Resurrection. He enjoys listening to M. Ward, smoking his pipe, watching sci-fi, and following Jesus.