Tuesday, August 13, 2013
The Work Of The Spirit
Adrian Warnock links to Frank Viola on what the Holy Spirit does. Warnock apologizes on Viola's behalf for this:
The Holy Spirit is God as we experience Him most directly. He is, in fact too often ignored or turned into talisman.
In fact, if anything is "wrong" with what Viola has to say it is that by discussing the Holy Spirit in terms of action instead of relationship, He is reduced in some fashion. Performer rather than person.
"Person" is, I think, the magic word. That's all the Holy Spirit is, and if we keep that in mind so much else falls in line.
Holy Spirit
In some denominations and movements, the Holy Spirit is overemphasized, leading to a Christless Pentecost — putting the Spirit exclusively on the throne and losing Jesus in the temple. In other denominations and movements, the Spirit is but a footnote, an afterthought, even a stranger.For the life of me, I cannot understand what an apology is needed - those are pretty true words. Few things have been as abused and ignored as the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is God as we experience Him most directly. He is, in fact too often ignored or turned into talisman.
In fact, if anything is "wrong" with what Viola has to say it is that by discussing the Holy Spirit in terms of action instead of relationship, He is reduced in some fashion. Performer rather than person.
"Person" is, I think, the magic word. That's all the Holy Spirit is, and if we keep that in mind so much else falls in line.
Holy Spirit
