Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit [Paperback]

Clark H. Pinnock (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 27, 1999

Voted one of Christianity Today's 1997 Books of the Year! In what may be regarded as his magnum opus, Clark Pinnock here turns attention to the vital Christian doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Writing out of wide learning and deep personal passion, he shows us the way to restore the oft-neglected Spirit to centrality in the life and witness of the church. Pinnock explores the doctrine of the Spirit in relation to other key doctrines such as the Trinity, creation, Christology and the church. Never one to duck the difficult or sensitive questions, he also examines issues of the Spirit's universality, gender language for the Spirit, and charismatic gifts. Pinnock intends his book to be catholic (in the sense of respecting the beliefs and worship of the historic church) and evangelical (drawing particularly on the heritage of the Reformation). Always in sight is the mission of the church, for "people want to meet the real and living God and will not be satisfied with a religion that only preaches and moralizes." He concludes, "Only by attending to the Spirit can we move beyond sterile rationalist religion in the direction of recovering the sense of intimacy and immediacy for which our generation--and every generation--longs."

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Pinnock's reputation as an "open" Evangelical is sure to be enhanced by this book. The catholicity of his approach--he draws on Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox sources--is evident and is likely to deepen discussion even where it evokes suspicion. At the heart of Pinnock's theology is a social conception of the Trinity that recovers the understanding of spirit as active in transformation of the world. In his discussion of gender and language, he at least nods toward feminist criticism--but still opts for masculine pronouns. That is one of several limits to openness that will remind readers of the historical tension between Christianity's "universal" proclamation and its "exclusive" claims--appropriate territory for a theology of spirit in a theologically and religiously plural society. Steve Schroeder --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"I greet Clark Pinnock's book with praise for his seriousness and intellectual courage. Flame of Love is evangelical: a biblically grounded systematic theology for our time with an ecumenical openness to the truth about the Holy Spirit in other Christian traditions and the newer Pentecostal movements." (Jürgen Moltmann, University of Tübingen )

"Recently a rapprochement has been occurring between evangelical Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy. Flame of Love advances the meeting and is bound to deepen understanding. . . . Pinnock's book is not only a comprehensive and profoundly trinitarian work, it is also beautifully written, filled with grace and a joy to read." (Vigen Guroian, Loyola College in Maryland )

"Clark Pinnock's Flame of Love is a timely book for American evangelicalism, bringing its doctrines into the mainstream of classical Christian faith and teaching. . . . It reaps a vast harvest of recent developments in theology--trinitarian doctrine, Spirit-Christology, theosis-soteriology, sacramental spirituality, charismatic renewal and interreligious dialogue, among others." (Carl E. Braaten, Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology )

"At last the Christian community has a sound Pentecostal theology to guide the still growing renewal movement of the Holy Spirit. Flame of Love is solidly biblical, ecumenical in appeal, evangelical in spirit. . . . Most important, it prophetically challenges tendencies toward quenching of the Spirit and toward excessive enthusiasm that have plagued this spiritual renewal." (Roger E. Olson, George W. Truett Theological Seminary )

"This is an impassioned, yet reasonable and sometimes lyrical tribute to the Holy Spirit. In surely his most important and ecumenical work, Clark Pinnock picks up the Spirit-longings of a culture. . . . This work will stand as an important contribution to a neglected subject and may well become a theological bridge between mainstream, evangelical and charismatic understandings." (Linda A. Mercadante, Methodist Theological School in Ohio )

"Flame of Love is vintage Clark Pinnock. . . . Above all, the book reveals his passion for the triune God, and it shows how deeply he has drunk from the well of the Spirit about whom he writes. It provides a way not only into Pinnock's head--indeed it is the best summary to date of his entire theological odyssey--but also into his heart." (Stanley J. Grenz, Carey/Regent College )

"Drawing upon Eastern Orthodox, Wesleyan, Roman Catholic and Reformed traditions, Clark Pinnock forges an ecumenical, evangelical theology of the Spirit that deserves serious consideration by the whole church. Even those who take different positions on some of these questions will appreciate the author's willingness to dialogue in the spirit of Christian love." (Donald G. Bloesch, emeritus professor of theology, Dubuque Theological Seminary )

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (April 27, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830815902
• ISBN-13: 978-0830815906
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #253,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Clark H. Pinnock is professor of theology at McMaster Divinity College.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pinnock's Systematic Theology, April 9, 2007

By 

Climacus (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit (Paperback)

Written by Clark Pinnock, 'Flame of Love' is a mini systematic theology written with a pneumatological emphasis. Theology, Cosmology, Christology, Ecclesiology, Soteriology, Eschatology, and the doctrine of the Word are all covered, each seen through the lens of the Spirit. Pinnock has tried to emphasize the dynamism of the Spirit's presence in the world, and the importance of a relational understanding of God's communion with man.

When I first read this book, for some reason I dismissed it. Perhaps because the style is somewhat stilted. But having returned to it several times over the course of two years, I find myself being edified by it again and again. Pinnock brings out observations about God's character that I had not thought about before, through Scripture passages I had not considered. And so, the more I read 'Flame of Love' the more I am impressed by the depth of his theology, and the personal challenges it presents to me as an evangelical struggling to make sense of my relationship to God. I've read my share of theologians, many of whom I have read with an academic interest that has rarely touched the core of my being, but somehow Pinnock's works actually edify my mind and my soul, and each book I've put down has palpably helped me reach greater intimacy with God.

One of the things that struck me most about Pinnock's theology is its orthodox character. Many Reformed people criticize Pinnock as an innovator whose beliefs stand outside the pale of Christian orthodoxy (small 'o'). But it was remarkable to compare 'Flame of Love' with Bishop Kallistos Ware's 'The Orthodox Way', or his open theistic views with those of Richard Swinburne (a recent convert to Eastern Orthodoxy). The same emphasis on a dynamic relational presence of the Triune God in the world is present in both works, which leads me to believe that while Pinnock may be beyond the pale of Calvinist orthodoxy, he is in good company with other Christian traditions, especially Eastern Orthodoxy. In short, I would highly recommend this work.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Theology meet devotion - refreshing to intellect and spirit, September 17, 1999

By 

Loffers - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit (Paperback)

I was deeply encouraged by this book.

It is well written and includes the scholarly depth (including a wealth of notes an references) that I was looking for in a theological text of this nature. I was also keen to read first hand some of the work by this much talked about (good and bad) writer.

The surprise to me was also the beauty of this work. It is devotionally enjoyable and really communicates to both the intellect and the heart something of the passion and joy of Holy Spirit's pervasive work among a much loved creation.

I heartily commend it and it provides a good platform from which to consider some of the more controvertial statements for which Pinnock is famous. It certainly convinced me that here is a man with a theological model which is worthy of further consideration. It really does encourage both a more biblical and a more spirit-led life from what might be branded a post-modern theology.

Read and enjoy.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flame of Love -- Indeed, August 25, 2004

By 

M. G. Maness "[e-mail]" (Woodville, Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit (Paperback)

____Clark Pinnock is one of the most productive theologians in the 20th century. Contrary to some of the other critics, this book is less about open theism and more about God's dynamic relationship with us. It is a master work that no classical theist has to date come up to with respect to raw theologizing in defending God's dynamic work "through" His Spirit in our world in "classical" theism. Many classical theists can complain--and they do with a vengeance--but let them provide some substance. On open theism itself, Pinnock has now weighed in with his Most Moved Mover that blasts through the settled God of classical theism with far more kindness, erudition, finesse, and "Christian" spirit than Pinnock's adversaries (Bruce Ware and John Frame in particular, and I take these two to task in the appendices of my own book, Heart of the Living God, seen at www.preciousheart.net).
____What Pinnock has done, as one author has said, is look seriously as all of the Bible believing traditions. Pinnock is certainly not Roman Catholic (RC), but that also does not mean that RC theologians do not have a lot to contribute (even classical Protestant theologians quote and profit from sterline RC theologians). We don't have to agree on every point to see God working in many traditions, and the Bible is the authoritative guide. Pinnock takes us to new levels of sophistication--even daringly so--with just what the Holy Spirit's activity means in our lives today.
____I say some of this to my own chagrin, for in my schools (Criswell College, SWBTS, NOBTS, from 1978 to 1997) Pinnock's work was not given a fair shake. I know now why. I read his Flame of Love for the first time just a little while ago, AFTER having been taken in and hugged by his Most Moved Mover (and sloppily slapped around by Ware's and Frame's lackluster critiques). I had to see more. One does not have to be a full open theists to appreciate those to defend our living, real-time, and dynamic relationship with God--my goodness no--and the classical critics should be ashamed that they have not come up to speed themselves in just what is open or truly dynamic in our relationship besides their own complaining about openness.
____Having said all of that, even though Flame of Love is already a little dated--it is still ground breaking in many ways and deserves far more the mere tribbling complaints. Most especially since the critics of it have hardly weighed in with ANYTHING as substantial on what "dynamic living relationship" with our heavenly Father means.
____What is Love? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in Love? This book gives some insights from a master theologian's hands, punctuated throughout with solid quotes from other masters. Heck fire and tickle my innards, read this book just for the quotes and references--that would be worth the price--but Pinnock has a pithy, rich and direct voice all his own.