The Holy Spirit: Works Gifts

by Donald G. Bloesch

Overview

In The Holy Spirit: Works Gifts Donald Bloesch aptly brings together his grasp of historical and systematic theology as well as his deep concern for spirituality. The fruit of a lifetime of study and devotion, this book masterfully interweaves biblical study, historical overviews and reflection on contemporary developments and issues to shed light on faith in God, the Holy Spirit. On a topic that sadly threatens to divide the church, Bloesch strives to build bridges between the various traditions of Christian faith, especially between Reformed theology and the Pentecostal movement.This wide-ranging and in-depth reflection on the presence, reality and ministry of the Holy Spirit serves as a landmark guide to those seeking a faithful theological understanding of the Holy Spirit as well as those searching for a renewing and empowering hope for the church of Jesus Christ.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830827558
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	12/02/2005
Series:	Christian Foundations , #5
Pages:	415
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Donald G. Bloesch (Ph.D., University of Chicago) is professor of theology emeritus at Dubuque Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. He has written numerous books, including Essentials of Evangelical Theology, The Future of Evangelical Christianity, The Struggle of Prayer and Freedom for Obedience. He is also a past president of the Midwest Division of the American Theological Society.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Foreword: A Dialogical Approach

1. Introduction
The Collapse of Modernity
A Theology of the Christian Life
Appendix A: Evangelical Rationalism Propositional Revelation

2. The Contemporary Debate
The Person of the Spirit
Baptism and Conversion
Baptism and Confirmation
Assurance and Evidence
Aspects of Salvation
Word and Spirit
Spiritual Gifts
Gender of the Spirit
Outreach of the Spirit

3. The Descent of the Spirit in Biblical Understanding
Divergent Views
Transmission of the Spirit
Dimensions of the Spirit's Activity
Eschatological Significance
Complementary Emphases

4. Fathers, Enthusiasts Mystics
The Church Fathers
Later Development in Catholicism
Religious Enthusiasm
Christian Mysticism

5. Reformation Perspectives
The Twofold Baptism
A New Kind of Confirmation
The Gifts of the Spirit
Call to Holiness
The Decisive Role of Experience

6. Post-Reformation Renewal Movements
Puritanism
Pietism
Evangelicalism
The Holiness Movement

7. New Challenges to Traditional Faith
Definitions
Quakerism and Kindred Movements
Swedenborgianism
New Light from Russia
The Inspirationists
Mormonism
Restorationist Sects
Seventh-day Adventism
Jehovah's Witnesses
The Unification Church
The New Age Movement
Dispensationalism
Postscript

8. Pentecostalism
Theological Background
Historical Development
Pentecostal Distinctives
The Phenomenon of Glossolalia
Dangers in Pentecostalism
Enduring Contributions
The Spirit of Self-Criticism
Appendix B: Battling the Demons

9. Recent Developments in Theological Thought
H. Wheeler Robinson
Karl Barth
Paul Tillich
Rudolf Bultmann
Jürgen Moltmann
Yves Congar
Regin Prenter
Clark Pinnock
Paul Evdokimov
Other Voices
Postscript

10. The Holy Spirit: Person Mission
The Spirit in the Trinity
Spirit and Word
Water and Spirit
Works of the Spirit
Charisms and Ministries
Rethinking Pentecost
Appendix C: Some Difficult Texts

11. The Highway of Holiness
A Life of Battle
Holiness and Justification
Stages on Life's Pilgrimage
The Paradox of Sanctity
Appendix D: A Theology of the Cross

Notes
Index of Names
Index of Subjects
Index of Scripture