Getting Real: Pneumatological Realism and the Spiritual, Moral, and Ministry Formation of Contemporary Christians

by Gary Tyra, Frank D. Macchia (Foreword by)

Overview

Some reputable sociological research indicates that a surprising number of evangelical churchgoers are living out a version of the Christian life that's more informed by the values of the surrounding culture than by the discipleship teachings of Jesus and his apostles. Viewing the cause of this disturbing trend in the church to be a "discipleship deficit" that's exacerbated by a "pneumatological deficit," Gary Tyra has written a book that addresses both. In this work, Tyra encourages evangelical Christians of all stripes to become more fully aware of the tremendous difference it makes when the Holy Spirit is experienced in ways that are real and existentially impactful, rather than merely theoretical, conceptual, and/or ritualistic. Intended to be read by church leaders as well as by students in Christian colleges and seminaries, the message here is that the cure for the ministry malady currently confronting us is the recovery of a robust, fully Trinitarian doctrine of the Spirit. A pneumatological realism, says Tyra, combined with an understanding of just how important a spiritual, moral, and missional faithfulness is to a genuine Christian discipleship, can revitalize the lives of individual Christians and churches, making it possible for them to reach their post-Christian peers for Christ!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498292320
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	02/08/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	218
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Gary Tyra is Professor of Biblical and Practical Theology at Vanguard University of Southern California. He is the author of six previously published works, including The Holy Spirit in Mission (2011), A Missional Orthodoxy (2013), and Pursuing Moral Faithfulness (2015). In addition to his work in the academy, Tyra has pastored three churches over a thirty-year period, one of which was a church plant.

Table of Contents

Foreword Frank D. Macchia ix

Introduction 1

Part 1 Theological And Ministry Foundations

1 Pneumatological Realism: Theological Corrective/Ministry Cure 15

2 Functional Deism: A Surprisingly Pervasive Theological/Ministry Malady 36

Part 2 The Spirit and the Threefold Faithfulness God Desires and Deserves

3 Pneumatological Realism and a Spiritual Faithfulness 61

4 Pneumatological Realism and a Moral Faithfulness 81

5 Pneumatological Realism and a Missional Faithfulness 100

Part 3 Getting Real About Getting Real

6 Encouraging a Pneumatological Realism in the Local Church 121

Conclusion 137

Appendix: From Sola Scriptura to the Sacramental Sermon: Karl Barth and the Phenomenon of Prophetic Preaching 141

Bibliography 183

Author Index 191

Subject Index 195

Scripture Index 203