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Engaging with the Holy Spirit: Real Questions, Practical Answers

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'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' Acts 19:2. The rise of the charismatic movement and the growth of Pentecostal churches worldwide soon made their comment, out of date.' p 15

Cole, author of He Who Gives Life: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, approaches the practical difficulties dutifully faced when presented with the theological minefield of Christianity: the Holy Spirit.

The reason why he interacts in this book with questions pertaining to the practical outworking of our understanding of the Holy Spirit, is that more and more Christians appear to be returning to the Gnosticism of the 2nd century church. Paul had not yet named it, or labeled it as such, for it was a new phenomenon to the church, presumably originating through a lack of sound teaching, and one which 'represent[s] the infusion of heathen modes of thought into the church.' BB Warfield, Counterfeit Miracles p 61. By logical extension the church throughout its history had to contend with various strains of Gnosticism - always from within its own ranks.

The Question & Answer format therefore seeks to pose troubling, penetrating and recurring questions, as if asked by the faithful Bible-reading believer him or herself. This then settles into an informed, scholarly and orderly presentation of the correct expectations to have with regard to the function, work and interaction of the Holy Spirit as God.

'The problem is the human heart settled in opposition to God.' p 30

'The doctrine of the internal, effectual call is the way Reformed theology explains different reactions to the heard Word as portrayed in the book of Acts. It does so in terms of the sovereign grace of God at work through the Holy Spirit, in some but not all.' p 50

'The NT presents not only an evangel, but also an ethic. So when Paul preached to the Thessalonians and then moved on, he left behind the Word of God and instruction in how these new Christians ought to live and please God (an ethic as in 1 Thess 4:1-8). Moreover, the gift of the Holy Spirit means a sanctified life. Christians are expected to be a community characterized by moral integrity.' p 86

Graham Cole combines a very keen intellect and a high view of God's Word to register, then rework his pneumatology, which is not in favor of cessationism:

'1 Cor 1:4-8 places the Corinthians and the exercise of their gifts in the framework of life between the Cross and the second coming of Christ - and not that of the Cross and canon closure.' p 82

This remarkable insight diverges from the orthodox view (propounded by the brilliance of BB Warfield) of apostolic and post-apostolic revelation, and is drawn from Jon Ruthven's On the Cessation of the Charismata. Though the discussion has taken on varied interpretative dimensions, John W Stott has shown convincingly in his 'The Cessation Of Revelatory Gifts' that 'However, the thorn can now be painlessly removed. The key insight is that Paul is speaking of the cessation of revelatory gifts in the personal experience of individuals who possess them, not in the history of the church (1 Cor 1:7-8). The passage 13:8-12 indicates only that the people in his day who possessed spiritual gifts would continue to possess them through their lifetime, unless Christ returned first.' p 27

God is always around us, and one's relationship with Him depends on one's actions. "Engaging With the Holy Spirit: Real Questions, Practical Answers" is a book dedicated to helping those who have lost their way to return to the path of wholeness and stop blaspheming. Answering questions on prayer, just what blasphemy is, why some resist God's love, and more, "Engaging with the Holy Spirit: Real Questions: Practical Answers" is a essential pick for any Christian and for community library Christian studies collections.

I would tend to agree with one reviewer on the author's Calvinist viewpoint regarding the person and work of the Holy Spirit. There is no doubt that Graham Cole is a Calvinist and he does spend much of his time quoting from Calvinist theologians such as John Calvin or John Owen. As an Arminian I would disagree with some of the aspects of Cole's views regarding the Holy Spirit such as the Calvinistic doctrine of effectual calling. Yet I had no trouble reading this book. The quotes that Cole cites from various Calvinists such as Calvin, Owen, Edwards, Packer, or even Grudem was not troublesome for me as I know that as an Arminian I would quote from Arminians if I wrote the same book.

This book is a "short" study of the Spirit in that Cole doesn't spend much time dealing with some aspects of the Spirit's nature or work such as His divinity. Cole simply tells us that the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). Cole also takes some other assumptions as well such as that his readers would be familiar with Calvinism. He also touches on the issue of the cessation of the revelatory gifts but not as detailed as I would like. Like another reviewer stated, it seems some cessasionists have given in to the argument over this issue though I feel that they need not to.

Overall this is a worthwhile book on the Holy Spirit. A deeper study from a Calvinist viewpoint would be Dr. Larry Pettegrew's book, "The New Covenant Ministry of the Holy Spirit". For a good Pentecostal study see Anthony Palma's book, "Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Perspective."

To respond in detail would require far more time than I can afford right now. A summary response to the whole book will have to do for now. This book was written basically for Calvinists. Who else would buy into such conclusions? If you are an Arminian this book will feel like a theological slap in the face. You will not find "objective" in the glossary of this book. It is not surprising that the author's favorite theologian is John Calvin, who appears to be infallible. Aside from those of the pre-Calvin era there is no serious consideration of any non-Calvinist theologian. Gordon Fee and Wayne Grudem are mentioned, even quoted when they agree with Cole, but then ignored or merely footnoted on the controversial issues. Their scholary input apparently unworthy of consideration. All kinds of linguistic and theological gymnastics are used to promote Calvinistic outcomes. Sure, Cole concedes on the issue of cessationism because no scholar worth his salt could possibly hold this position today. But the defeat of cessation is so 20th century. For the most part that issue is dead and buried in the world of scholarship. On one hand the book is a testimony to the cleverness of the author, but on the other it is just another example of denominational or sectarian scholarship, i.e. you know generally the conclusions before you read the chapter. I don't doubt the sincerity of the author. He truly wants us to believe he is shooting at the target called "objectivity." But when we look at the backside of the target we find the stamp: CALVINISM. The author needs a greater experience of the Holy Spirit so he can write a more objective pneumatology and offer us more convincing practical answers.

Gave this item as a gift to a dear friend who heard about on a radio show.