The Holy Spirit—In Biblical Teaching, through the Centuries, and Today

by Anthony Thiselton

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2013

Overview

This book by eminent scholar Anthony Thiselton is a detailed biblical, historical, and contemporary study of the Holy Spirit. Thiselton presents an up-to-date account of biblical teaching on the topic, including exposition of passages and hermeneutics; offers a comprehensive historical survey from the Apostolic Fathers to Jonathan Edwards; and engages a host of modern theologians.

Thiselton closes by discussing a remarkably wide range of writings on the Holy Spirit from the nineteenth century to the present day. He interacts with Pentecostals and the Renewal Movement in a positive, yet critical manner. The book as a whole is at once scholarly and readable, comprehensive and practical.

Key Features

• Presents an up-to-date account of biblical teaching on the Holy Spirit
• Offers a comprehensive historical survey from the Apostolic Fathers to Jonathan Edwards
• Discusses a remarkably wide range of writings on the Holy Spirit from the nineteenth century to the present day

Contents

• The Spirit of God in the Old Testament
• The Spirit in Judaism
• The Holy Spirit in the Synoptic Gospels
• The Holy Spirit in Acts
• Key Themes in Paul
• Further Gifts of the Spirit and More Controversial Themes That Involve Hermeneutics
• The Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, in the Johannine Writings
• 1 and 2 Peter, Hebrews, James, Jude, and Revelation
• The Apostolic Fathers and Early Christian Apologists
• The Ante-Nicene Fathers
• The Post-Nicene Western Fathers
• The Post-Nicene Eastern Fathers
• The Earlier Medieval Period
• The Later Middle Ages: From Bonaventura and Aquinas to Julian of Norwich and Walter Hilton
• The Major Reformers
• The Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries: From Owen to Edwards
• The Nineteenth Century: The Parting of the Ways
• The Earlier Part of the Twentieth Century
• The Later Twentieth Century to 1985
• Three Pentecostal or Renewal New Testament Scholars: Fee, Stronstad, and Turner
• Five Major Theologians: Congar, Moltmann, Pannenberg, Lossky, and Zizioulas
• Other Writers from the End of the Century: 1986-2000
• The Twenty-First Century
• Summary, Conclusions, Mutual Dialogue, and Personal Reflections

Top Highlights

“(1) The work of the Holy Spirit is Christ-centered.” (Page 70)

“The notion of the Spirit as an Agent of revelation persists in rabbinic thought, and into the New Testament and Church Fathers.” (Page 14)

“The lesson to be learned is that we should approach ‘prophecy’ with openness but also with extreme caution.” (Page 18)

“A second major theme in Rabbinic Judaism is that the canonical prophets were inspired by the Holy Spirit.” (Page 27)

“(2) Second, the Holy Spirit begins to be associated more distinctly with holiness or purification.” (Page 22)

Endorsements

Respectfully engages a wide range of literature. Even cessationists and classical Pentecostals, who will argue with various elements, will find numerous points valuable for reflection and exegesis. All will appreciate and profit from the helpful engagement with secondary literature and survey of historical perspectives.

—Craig S. Keener, professor of New Testament, Asbury Theological Seminary

I have often thought that I would like to round off my writing career with a fuller or more complete study of the Holy Spirit. Rather to my relief I need no longer champ at that bit. Tony Thiselton has already done it and left me nothing to do. Thank you, Tony.

—James Dunn, Lightfoot Professor of Divinity Emeritus, University of Durham

Magisterial! Brilliant! Erudite! Anthony Thiselton offers a sure-handed overview of the biblical teachings on the Spirit, maps the major historical streams of pneumatological reflection, and charts the important trajectories going forward. . . . This book bridges heretofore divergent polemics and opens up new dialogical horizons and possibilities for the contemporary theological task.

—Amos Yong, dean of the School of Divinity, Regent University

In this crucial and practical work Thiselton provides expert guidance through the variety of topics pertinent to a theology of the Holy Spirit. . . . I know of nothing comparable. This volume is something every pastor and student should have in his or her library.

—Klyne Snodgrass, professor of biblical literature, North Park Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: The Holy Spirit—In Biblical Teaching, through the Centuries, and Today
• Author: Anthony Thiselton
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2013
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Era: era:Contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Holy Spirit
• ISBNs: 9780802868756, 0802868754
• Resource ID: LLS:HOLYSPIRITTHISELTON
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:34:20Z

About Anthony Thiselton

Anthony C. Thiselton was professor of Christian Theology at the University of Nottingham. He held three doctorates (Ph.D, D.D., D.D) and published important works on 1 Corinthians, hermeneutics, and did research on modern theology, philosophy of religion, and the application of philosophy of language to biblical studies.