The Holy Spirit - (New Studies in Dogmatics) by Christopher R J Holmes (Paperback)

About the Book

The Holy Spirit offers a constructive systematic and contemplative account of the metaphysics of the Holy Spirit in conversation with Augustine's, Thomas Aquinas's, and Karl Barth's engagements with the Fourth Gospel.

Book Synopsis

Who is the Holy Spirit and how does the Spirit come to be in relation to the Father and the Son? What is the mission of the Spirit and where does it come from?

Chris Holmes takes up the questions surrounding the Spirit's procession and mission with the help of three of the church's greatest teachers--Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Karl Barth.

Drawing on their engagements with the Fourth Gospel, Holmes presents an account of the Spirit's identity, origin, and acts, to show how the acts of the Spirit derive from the Spirit's life in relation to Father and Son--and the extent to which the Spirit's mission testifies to the Spirit's origin.

Holmes presents a way forward for pneumatology. Housed within the doctrine of the Trinity, pneumatology's joyful task is to describe the Spirit's acts among us in light of their source in the Spirit's acts in God. The end of this inquiry is our beatitude--knowledge of the Trinity that yields to love of the Trinity.

-ABOUT THE SERIES-

New Studies in Dogmatics seeks to retrieve the riches of Christian doctrine for the sake of contemporary theological renewal. Following in the tradition of G. C. Berkouwer's Studies in Dogmatics, this series provides thoughtful, concise, and readable treatments of major theological topics, expressing the biblical, creedal, and confessional shape of Christian doctrine for a contemporary evangelical audience.

The editors and contributors share a common conviction that the way forward in constructive systematic theology lies in building upon the foundations laid in the church's historic understanding of the Word of God as professed in its creeds, councils, and confessions, and by its most trusted teachers.

Review Quotes

'An excellent companion for those who would like to accompany Barth and Aquinas through their rigorous and biblical accounts of the Holy Spirit.'--Eugene F. Rogers Jr., The University of North Carolina, Greensboro

'Guided by such luminaries as John Webster and Kevin Vanhoozer, Reformed dogmatic theology has been powerfully revitalized in recent years. Professor Holmes's exploration of the glorious mystery of the Holy Spirit is a fruit of this renewal and a most welcome fruit indeed.'--Matthew Levering, Mundelein Seminary

'Here is adventuresome dogmatic theology at its best. Holmes's vibrantly Christological, exuberantly Trinitarian engagement with the Holy Spirit is demanding, invigorating theological engagement.'--Will Willimon, Duke Divinity School

'This is a worthy contribution that enriches our understanding of the Holy Spirit's person and work by upholding the centrality of Christ.'--George Hunsinger, Princeton Theological Seminary

'With its scriptural alertness, its generous appropriation of elements of classical Christian thought, and its dogmatic intelligence and scope, this is a rewarding study of the lordly and life-giving Spirit.'--John Webster, St. Mary's College, University of St. Andrews

About the Author

Michael Allen is assistant professor of Systematic Theology at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.