The Holy Spirit

The Holy Ghost: A Spirited Comic, by John Hendrix

Mixed bag.

Pros:
illustrations, including consistent side characters like squirrel
honest presentation of real questions, struggles, and feelings
humor–from the Holy Spirit Himself–because he is really funny in real life
each page is its own concept; ability to digest just one idea at a time
some really profound presentations of truths

Cons:
some of the theology felt . . . off

Don’t get me wrong; the Holy Ghost is a great mystery, but I got the impression that the comic was more of a personal response to various questions of faith, rather than a portrayal of the Holy Ghost (beyond just the caricature of the Holy Ghost as a floating blue ghost, which I thought was funny). I think artistic portrayals of internal struggles are really cool and valuable, but when the title is “The Holy Ghost,” it implies that there is some truth behind the ideas about the HG, but some of the comics I didn’t believe were true. Maybe theological differences, or maybe just not researched in a way that I expected, given the title.

So don’t read this to form a formal concept of the Holy Spirit. Read it to see an artistic, humorous glimpse into how it might feel to interact with this person of the Trinity.

The Descent of the Dove, by Charles Williams

I knew I would have to revisit this book, and it was worth the reread. Read it if you want a 30,000 foot view of Church history, without getting bogged down in all the minutiae. Read it if you want to see where the Church could head. Read it if you love Charles Williams, because his writing is beautiful in any format.

This book made me think of the part in Wheel of Time when Aviendha sees the future of her people and is appalled at how they got there. Her journey reveals the small decisions it took to get them to the point where they were no longer a people. Williams’ overview of Church history played out the same. Since day one, the Church has been talking, trying to figure out how to go about what Jesus wants us to be about. Amongst ourselves, we have faced disagreements, formalized language to take sides in the divisions, and made Christianity such a part of culture that it was really irrelevant (mass conversions, etc.). Through it all, the Holy Spirit is in the background, working with the path the Church chooses, dignifying us with our successes and mistakes in the discussion. For it is not for no reason that Jesus did not systematize His plan, and it is a testament to His power that the Church has accomplished His mission to the degree that we have, in various phases of history.

However, a major shift occurred with Voltaire. For the first time, arguments about the Church came from outside the Church. This pivotal moment is one that the Church has never really recovered from, opening the door to Marx and postmodernism since, with the Church in a mildly defensive posture at best. While this is rather depressing, it was encouraging throughout the reading that the Holy Spirit didn’t seem to be too bothered by the Church and her various attempts at various things. For the Church is not the kind of thing that has to be only one kind of thing, or even be “right” all the time. Thank God.

I Believe in the Holy Spirit, by Yves Congar

“Rome cannot change, but she can explain.” My favorite quote in the book and really describes the process that Congar is using to examine the Holy Spirit. While this tome may not be for everyone, it is definitely for anyone seeking any sort of understanding about the Holy Spirit. If it has been brought up, Congar mentions it. Extremely thorough and clear in delving how the Holy Spirit has been talked about for 2000 years.

In tracking this process, Congar addresses a lot of church history and the relevant debates that led to clarifications in creeds and significant meetings. For the purposes of my study, I skimmed some of the history, but I am struck by the Church’s desire to come to an understanding about the Holy Spirit and to seek unity/consistency in itself in the discussion. There was so much care and scholarship involved, a willingness to disagree, talk it out, weigh merits of one’s own side alongside another’s—this process alone provides lessons to the modern church.

In addition to the history of how we have come to talk about the Holy Spirit the way we do, Congar addresses the personhood, role, power, presence, and relationship of the Holy Spirit—to the Church and to the rest of the Trinity. This last, I thought, was one of the strengths of the books. I found this to be an insightful, careful, clear discussion on the Trinity and how it functions and interacts with the world.

Protestants may find portions of this book to be different than the beliefs in their own mainstream. Congar wraps up the book with how the Holy Spirit interacts with the sacraments, and this is obviously a point of divergence between Catholicism and Protestantism. I appreciated the honest glimpses into practices that I may not fully understand, since I practice them differently.

Beyond this, there is simply too much that could be said about a book of this scope. I highly recommend examining the table of contents if you are at all interested in a scholarly examination of the Holy Spirit to determine if any of the content matches your direction. Unparalleled research.

When the Holy Ghost is Come, by Samuel Logan Brengle

Appeal to Christians at a wide range of maturity–informative for someone new to the faith or role of the Holy Spirit, practical for those with a bit more experience.

Brengle approaches the Scriptures with humility but confidence rooted in experience and study. The result is a theology that is refreshingly authentic and knowledgeable. The content in the book covers the role of the Holy Spirit–the kinds of things He does, where He is active, the fact that He is a person, distinct in the Trinity, etc. Coupled with this, though, is discussion and instruction about how the Holy Spirit can become present in your life and how to pursue Him.

This is where the texture shows it connection with reality. Even though this was published over 100 years ago (or, perhaps, because it was published 100 years ago), the teachings and principles still ring true and lend themselves to instant application to our current situations. I walked away with two specific things I can change in my thinking and behavior to be more connected with the Spirit in daily life. There were many more lessons, but I have to start small.

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit, by R.A. Torrey

4.5 stars. Recommended to anyone looking for practical insights into living the Christian life. While I’m sure most readers would deem him a little “old fashioned,” it is hard to contest Torrey’s consistent turning to the Bible for answers to our questions.

As the title suggests, Torrey focuses around the Holy Spirit, providing a solid overview of Him as a person, then examining the actions of this person from the Scriptures. The writing reads like a sermon series, and, in addition to bountiful biblical evidence, contains many personal experiences and testimonies of the work of the Spirit in people’s lives. These firsthand accounts reveal the author’s heart for God and for working to bring salvation to people. Truly beautiful and admirable.

Along with finding a brother to whom I can look up, I was extremely pleased that Torrey frequently answered the “how” question to finish his observations. It was not enough for him to tell about something the Holy Spirit can do for a believer; he looked to the Scriptures to see HOW a believer can gain a partnership with the Holy Spirit in many ways. Since this “how” is pretty much absent from mainstream Christian teachings today, I really valued his insights. On a couple sections near the end, I would seek clarification–how can we both expect immediate baptism with the HS and expect to wait for it? etc. But it is merely clarification I seek, not criticism.

The Spirit of Christ, by Andrew Murray

This would make an excellent devotional tool, as well as being an excellent study on the Holy Spirit, His power, and His involvement in the lives of those who trust Christ.

I love the structure of the chapters–Murray begins with 2-3 Bible verses about a topic that he is going to discuss concerning the Holy Spirit and His work; draws conclusions and makes observations, using the verses as a springboard; addresses his fellow believers to exhort them to take particular steps in inviting the Holy Spirit into their lives; then concludes with a prayer to the Father to accomplish those steps. The prayers were my favorite part, and I think it is these that could make an excellent devotional tool, especially if you became familiar enough with the principles in the book and the Scriptures for the prayers to tie in to the ideas.

The feel of the book is distinctly late-Victorian (which I like). Somewhat repetitive to begin with, but gets better as it goes on. Some really insightful observations about the Church, the gospel, and living out every day life. Some really convicting portions, particularly about loving our brothers through the outpouring of the Spirit’s love.

The Holy Spirit, by Charles C. Ryrie

3.5-3.75 stars. This is a great basic, simplistic overview of the topics that will arise in any study of the Holy Sprit. However, it is basic and simplistic. I appreciated that it was laid out in outline form, broken down by topic and subtopic, with definite supporting Scriptures present throughout. I just felt, though, that many times the answers were underdeveloped. This book is, though, mostly meant to be an overview, so there is reason behind the brevity. So if that is what you want, this is a great read. I wanted just a bit more, thus the rating.

Ryrie makes many points that I agreed with, but I didn’t always agree with how he got there. Many sections I didn’t agree with, but I recognize that he and I are just in different spots in orthodox camps. We can still be friends.

I did appreciate that in the section on being filled by the Holy Spirit, Ryrie did offer some general how-to’s, not just “do’s.” That is never a bad thing within the Church. Also, there is a pretty thorough list of further reading provided at the end, which is another feature that is much appreciated by someone interested in the subject–another reason this book would be a great place to start learning about the Holy Spirit.

How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit, by A.W. Tozer

Super short read. Easy and accessible, as Tozer always is (one of the things I like about him). Practical, displaying experience and insight in dealing with people. Recommended for those who want to challenge themselves to see if they are ready to let go of their life enough to let the Holy Spirit fill that “void” of the world.

Whereas R.A. Torrey and Andrew Murray wrote from experience WITH the Holy Spirit, Tozer is writing from experience of the LACK of the Spirit. He precisely identifies the roots of the fairly lackluster life of American Christianity of his day (and it has continued on that trajectory since he wrote this), and he is able to do so because of both his observations and his own experiences–or lack thereof.

He creates a beautiful case in favor of pursuit of the Holy Spirit, laying out Who He is, what He is and is not, etc.–very clear, simple distinctions rooted in Scripture that are a valuable part of this type of discussion. However, he doesn’t speak from a place where he himself knows the power and filling of the Holy Spirit that he is advocating; he is just advocating it. In this way, I found Torrey much richer, because he has lived with the Holy Spirit, has experience with the rich kind of life that comes from the presence and partnership.

So certainly heed what Tozer said, because he is right. Use this book as a place of self-examination to see, as he says, if you really want to let another Spirit possess you. But what he says is just the very basic building block. Move on to authors that have more experience.

Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit, by Francis Chan, Danae Yankoski

Perfect for a Christian who hasn’t done much thinking about the Holy Spirit but thinks they might want to learn something. Wide age-range of appeal, due to the welcoming, conversational tone. If you’ve already done some thinking and reading about the Holy Spirit, this will probably feel a little elementary, though there are still some good nuggets in there.

Chan is very open and honest about his own observations, experiences, and failures in pursuing life with the Spirit, which I appreciate and think are great starting points for discussion, perhaps in a Bible study/small group setting. However, this also leads the reader wondering what the author actually KNOWS about living life with the Spirit, if most of the experiences are LACK of the Spirit. Again, not that there aren’t some amazing observations, pieces of advice, insights, and tips. Because there are. But the “newness” of this practice and pursuit to the author keeps this book from being shelved among masters like Murray and Torrey. Those guys speak from a place of study–both intellectually and experientially. They have practical tips that teach readers some concrete things to incorporate, whereas “Forgotten God” is much more broad and vague. To be fair, Chan doesn’t claim to do what Murray and Torrey do, but I’m also not sure this is the place to seek how to “reverse our tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit.” This is more the place to see what the fruit of tragic neglect looks like. Chan’s view there is spot on.

My favorite chapter was “Forget About His Will for Your Life!” A lot of what was said needed to be said. This chapter encapsulates Chan’s strength of this book–which is to identify by experience the flaws/problems/limitedness of the American church–but this chapter is paired with some more specifics and how-tos that reflect real experience and engagement.

Throughout the book, I wholeheartedly agreed with the assessment of the spiritual state of lackluster apathy, of fitting Christianity into our American lives, etc. The problem was made very clear. However, the content didn’t offer a lot of specific alternatives or how-tos to move beyond this state. There certainly were some, and the overall message I found uplifting, but I wish there were more specifics. Otherwise, the book could easily read as a sermon attempting to heap guilt or burdens. I did, though, leave the book refreshed, encouraged, and with a few great points to ponder.

Who is the Holy Spirit? by R.C. Sproul

A few shades more Calvinistic than I am myself, but that mostly played out in the process, rather than conclusions. Very informative, good layout of the kinds of things the Holy Spirit is involved in. I appreciated that Sproul did not belabor some of the points that I have seen “overexpanded” in other books about the Holy Spirit. A quick read; nice easy reference.

Spot-on insights about the narcissism that creeps into the Church and the Holy Spirit’s role in reorienting the Church back toward the mission and will for which Christ created her. Very clear explanation of the Trinity, sticking to Scripture while trying to use the tools of philosophy to help address this complex reality.

Interesting connection of the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentacost with the giving of the Spirit in the time of Moses. A portion of the Spirit that had been given to Moses was given to the elders–not the Spirit resting anew on the elders, but they SHARED in the same Spirit. Pentacost was the same, where the Spirit of Christ was shared to the apostles.