The Holy Spirit

What can we learn about the Holy Spirit from the historical teachings of the church? In The Holy Spirit, Robert Letham develops a holistic and canonical view of the Spirit in the context of the Trinity, the person and work of Christ, and redemption.

Historical Discussions

Chapters 1-4 deal with the Holy Spirit and the Trinity by presenting the historical discussions in the church. The Spirit and the Son were subjects of critical questioning throughout church history, and Letham concludes: “The relation between the Spirit and the Son is not one-directional but mutual and reciprocal.”

I was most interested to read how the Holy Spirit does just create and then leave it alone. Instead, he continues to give it life: “The Holy Spirit gives life to the vegetation, the trees and plants around us, and sustains it by his mighty power, in accordance with his immanent causes, such as sunshine and rainfall.” Of course, “this leads on to the reality that the Spirit is the source of the new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).” Letham is logical and precise in his presentation.

The Executive of the Godhead

The ordering of the Godhead is given time, and Letham summarizes: “This internal order is from the Father through or in the Son and by the Holy Spirit.” While Letham is concerned with teaching proper doctrine, he also educates on different heresies that have crept into the church. I learned about adoptionism, and how Jesus was supposedly not the preexistent Son of God but began to be at conception, was totally dependent on the Holy Spirit, and exalted to divine status at the resurrection.

The rest of the book looks at the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible. Chapter 5 examines the wide range of ways in which the Spirit of God is said to have acted in the Old Testament. I was interested to read B. B. Warfield’s writing that the Spirit of God is described in the Old Testament as the “executive of the Godhead within the sacred nation.” He “represents the presence of God with his people.”

New Testament Gifts

I was most moved to read how throughout the history of the people of God in the Old Testament, the Spirit was at work in producing a written record of the great redemptive acts of God. Chapter 6 looks at the role of the Holy Spirit in conception and life of Jesus, while Chapter 7 studies his work in the resurrection, the ascension, and at Pentecost.

Chapter 9 tackles the role of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament gifts. I found it fascinating to read Letham’s writings on the interactions between Grudem, Thiselton, Clowney, and Turner. Letham concludes that prophecy is different from preaching in that prophecy is a direct message from God, whereas preaching expounds that message. In regards to speaking in tongues, Letham cites Charles Hodge while explaining that the position rests on the nature of the tongues to be interpreted or translated. While prophecy and tongues I was encouraged to read of the Spirit’s empowerment of other spiritual gifts such as helps, service, administration, and government. Letham’s writing remains encouraging throughout.

Discerning the Spirit’s Redemptive Work

Letham states that Chapter 11 is the most important chapter: Discerning the Spirit’s Redemptive Work. He lists five expectations: (1) Where Christ is glorified, (2) where the Biblical gospel is preached, taught, believed, and confessed, (3) where the fruit of the Spirit is evident, (4) where there is love, demonstrated in service of others, (5) where there is hard work. I was especially inspired to read: “According to Paul, spiritual warfare begins in the library (2 Cor. 10:3f.), as the base from which the godless opinions of the world can be cast down and those who hold them brought into submission to Christ.”

This book is an excellent study on the Holy Spirit. It is academic yet accessible. It will educate you on church history and give you a rigorous study on the Holy Spirit. I am challenged to have greater dependence on the Holy Spirit’s work in my life, and to seek him wholeheartedly in prayer and worship.

I received a media copy of The Holy Spirit and this is my honest review. Find more of my book reviews and follow Dive In, Dig Deep on Instagram - my account dedicated to Bibles and books to see the beauty of the Bible and the role of reading in the Christian life. To read all of my book reviews and to receive all of the free eBooks I find on the web, subscribe to my free newsletter.