Description
Karl Barth argued for a more satisfactory theology of the Holy Spirit, yet classical theism has so far failed to meet this demand. Pneumatology has been treated as a mere appendage to the doctrine of God, neglecting the fact that “an understanding of the unique personhood of the Spirit is … decisive for the understanding of God in general” (Jürgen Moltmann).
The Lord is the Spirit addresses these gaps in Trinitarian theology by reconsidering the doctrine of God from a pneumatological vantage point. This approach recovers an emphasis on divine immanence – God’s interaction with humanity – which has been marginalised in favour of divine transcendence. This critique tackles the need to account for the Trinity in its totality by stressing the identity of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit from an evangelical and Pentecostal perspective, while engaging in ecumenical dialogue with a wide spectrum of historical and contemporary theological voices. In a much-needed revision to classical theism, Gabriel convincingly argues that the integration of pneumatology into the doctrine of divine attributes will retrieve divine immanence from the theological margins it has so far occupied.
About the Author
Andrew Gabriel is Assistant Professor of Theology at Horizon College and Seminary, an affiliated college of the University of Saskatchewan. He has published a number of articles in journals including Religious Studies and Theology and The Journal of Pentecostal Theology.
Contents
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Classical Theism
3. Contemporary Responses to Classical Theism
4. Making Room for the Holy Spirit
5. The Passion of the Holy Spirit and Divine Impassibility
6. The Presence of the Holy Spirit and Divine Immutability
7. The Power of the Holy Spirit and Divine Omnipotence
Epilogue
Bibliography
Scripture Index
Author Index
Subject Index
Endorsements and Reviews
Towards the end of a fruitful life, Karl Barth sensed the need for a more satisfactory theology of the Holy Spirit. He could not write this work himself or even indicate its shape, but this work by Andrew Gabriel comes reasonably close to doing so and points a way forward. This young pentecostal scholar lays out a profound vision of the Trinitarian Spirit, incorporating some of the fresh thinking which becomes possible when full justice is done to this subject matter. I think it not too rash to see this volume marking a new phase in the development of Pentecostal systematic theology.
Clark H. Pinnock
… plenty of provocation for thought. The discussion of omnipresence is particularly worth while.
Revd Dr Andrew Davison, in Church Times, May 2013
The value of his book is its specificity … His discussion of classical theism is nuanced and informed … Gabriel is especially effective in showing how the Spirit is present with and in Jesus but also has its own incarnational forms, as with the dove, tongues, and the church.
Stephen H. Webb, in Reviews in Religion and Theology, Vol 21, No 1
Broadly conceived, the project has much to commend it, and Gabriel’s circumspection is admirable …
Jonathan Hicks, University of Otago, in Theological Book Review , Vol 25, No 1
