The Holy Spirit (Contours of Christian Theology) [Paperback]

Sinclair B. Ferguson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 1997 | Series: Contours of Christian Theology

The Holy Spirit, once forgotten, has been "rediscovered" in the twentieth century--or has he? Sinclair Ferguson believes we should rephrase this common assertion: "While his has been recognized, the Spirit remains to many Christians an anonymous, faceless aspect of the divine being." In order to redress this balance, Ferguson seeks to recover the of the Spirit fully as much as the and

Ferguson's study is rooted and driven by the scriptural story of the Spirit in creation and redemption. Throughout he shows himself fully at home in the church's historical theology of the Spirit and conversant with the wide variety of contemporary Christians who have explored the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

Foundational issues are surveyed and clarified. Hard questions are explored and answered. Clarity and insight radiate from every page. Here is the mature reflection of a Reformed theologian who will summon respect and charity from those who disagree.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This series has been around for over a decade now and has established itself as providing learned yet accessible treatments of key topics in systematic theology. The authors are not only fine theological thinkers, they are also passionate churchmen with a love for God's people and a desire to see the church grow in her knowledge of grace. Each volume blends exegesis, theological synthesis and judicious dialogue with the history of theology to provide an excellent treatment of the chosen topic. Highly recommended for thoughtful Christians who want to deepen their knowledge of Christian theology." (Carl R. Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary)

"Read everything in the IVP Contours of Theology series. Pure gold." (Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan)

"This excellent volume takes its place in the Contours of Christian Theology series between The Work of Christ and The Church. It is a very able exposition of the orthodox Reformed understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The style is attractive without losing accuracy; thus the book is more readable than many theological volumes that tend to be skeletal. The wholehearted commitment to Scripture is manifest through abundant references and crisp exegesis of some difficult passages. One can see here the valuable combination of a mind permeated with revealed truth with a sense of the profound unity in diversity of the various administrations of the covenant of grace. We might note the insights concerning the correlation of the three Persons of the Trinity, the relationship between the Old and New Testament in the unity of the redemptive purpose of God, the connections between the various elements of soteriology, the modern discussions about cessation or continuation of supernatural gifts, not to mention many other topics. The author is well informed, lucid in the presentation of his views and in the discussion of alternative positions. More than many other theologians he is serene in his conscious obedience to the teaching of Scripture and therefore generous toward those with whom he differs." (Roger Nicole, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida)

"Sinclair Ferguson has done an extraordinary piece of work. This is the most comprehensive treatment of the person and work of the Holy Spirit from a Reformed perspective since Abraham Kuyper." (R. C. Sproul, Ligonier Ministries)

"In characteristic fashion Sinclair Ferguson has once again provided thoughtful readers with a wise, comprehensive, balanced and thoroughly biblical treatment of an important area of theology--the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. All the major questios and texts are treated, and the chapter on 'The Cosmic Spirit,' which deals with universalism, is itself worth the book's price." (James M. Boice, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

"Because this book is thorough and reliable, fresh and full of insight, and its tone is pastoral and constructive, it is among the best treatments of this subject." (David Wells, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary)

About the Author

Sinclair B. Ferguson is senior minister at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina, and serves as professor of systematic theology at Westminster Seminary in Dallas, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (August 22, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830815368
• ISBN-13: 978-0830815364
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding and Necessary December 8, 2003

By J. F Foster

Format:Paperback

This book by Ferguson is now 7 years old, but it remains an essential treatment of the Holy Spirit from a Reformed perspective. As Ferguson aptly notes early on, fascination with the work of the Holy Spirit has greatly increased in the last 100 years in Christian circles, but knowledge and understanding of the Spirit Himself remains more elusive than ever it seems. This book is a wonderful remedy to this starvation.

Ferguson takes a very mild mannered tone throughout his presentation. Even the section of the book where he registers his sharpest theological disagreement (in this case, with Grudem), he is charitable and properly recognizes the importance of theology's role to increase understanding and knowledge, but also the depth of Christian community.

As is to be expected from a book written by a professor from Westminster Seminary, the reader can expect to get a healthy dosage of Vos/Ridderbos Biblical theology in here. Ferguson adopts the favored Westminster view that the New Testament needs to be seen within the context of redemptive history, and particularly eschatology. As a result, Ferguson's treatment of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit is seen within an eschatological context that stresses His role in the 'already/not yet' period of the coming of the Kingdom. What this means is that a reader who picks up this book who is enamored more with a systematic theological approach will find a different approach undertaken here. Particularly in Ferguson's treatment of the ordo salutis, the scholastic approach is mostly spurned in favor of a Biblical Theological approach that stresses the believer's unity in Christ within redemptive history as the predominate motif of the Spirit's work....

Ferguson's early detail on the Person of the Holy Spirit is highly informative and a needed premise to analyzing the work of the Holy Spirit. In this respect, Ferguson does retain elements of a more traditional systematic theological approach, but also employs a literary approach as well which is the latest thing in theological formulation. In addition, Ferguson's section on sanctification is outstanding and should aid believers in the perennial dilemma of what to make of the old self/new self imagery in the Bible, as well as the inner personal struggle we experience that frustrates and even perplexes us at times. Lastly, Ferguson's section on the Spirit's ministry gifts is outstanding. He comes to this discussion from a cessationist perspective, but is very charitable in his critique and seeks not to minimize or dismiss personal experience, but to incorporate such experience within what he believes is a Biblical framework.

Overall, this book is definitely a worthy successor to Kuyper's work a century ago, and is a book that is much needed in Reformed circles to regain the appreciation and dependence we should be feeling toward the Holy Spirit in all phases of our living. Highly recommended. Read more ›

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rich and Sumptuous Theological Feast May 10, 2008

By Brian G Hedges

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Sinclair Ferguson's biblical-theological treatment on the Holy Spirit is a rich and sumptuous theological feast for any serious-minded believer who wants to know more about the so-called "shy member of the Trinity." In eleven meaty chapters, Ferguson gives a comprehensive, if not exhaustive, biblical overview of the person and work of the Holy Spirit, all along the way drawing on historical theology and charitably interacting with perspectives different from his own.

Chapter one, "The Spirit and His Story" surveys the Old Testament's more shadowy teaching on the Holy Spirit with a careful biblical-theological approach. "The Spirit of Christ" (chapter two) is an exceptionally rich chapter on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus. Christ is seen as the quintessential "Man of the Spirit." Because his entire life was lived in the Spirit's power (Ferguson starts with his conception and moves through the various aspects of Jesus' life all the way to exaltation), Jesus is now the "Lord of the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:18) - the One who sends the Spirit to his church to reproduce the "human holiness" of which he (Jesus) is the pattern.

This moves into the next two chapters, which focus on "The Gift of the Spirit" and "Pentecost Today?", exploring the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost and its significance in redemptive history and for believers today. "The Spirit of Order" (chapter five) discusses the ordo salutis (order of salvation) and how the Spirit applies the redemptive work of Christ to the individual believer. This is an excellent chapter which focuses on union with Christ as the central motif for understanding how the Spirit applies salvation in our lives.... Throughout both this chapter and the entire book, Ferguson writes with a solid understanding of the inaugurated eschatology of the New Testament, allowing the "already/not yet" tension to inform his treatment of the various aspects of the ordo salutis (i.e. justification, regeneration, adoption, sanctification, glorification).

"Spiritus Recreator" (chapter six) discusses the Spirit's role in the new creation, while the next chapter, "The Spirit of Holiness," explores his role in sanctification. These were two of the most helpful chapters in the book for me personally. Ferguson maintains the Christ-centeredness with which he began the book as he shows how the Spirit reproduces the image of Christ in believers through his definitive act and progressive work of sanctification. Also very edifying is chapter eight, "The Communion of the Spirit," which deals with the personal ministry of the Spirit in the life of the believer as seal, firstfruits, and earnest/guarantee.

Chapters nine and ten talk about "The Spirit and the Body" and "The Gifts of the Spirit," the former discussing the role of the sacraments under the Spirit in the life of the church and the latter addressing the issue of spiritual gifts - with Ferguson taking a firm, though gentle, cessationist position. His critiques of Wayne Grudem deserve careful reflection from all who hold a continuationist perspective. The final chapter, "The Cosmic Spirit" discusses the Spirit's work in what we might call common grace and points us forward to the eschatological fulfillment of the Spirit's work in the world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned much from it. Ferguson's articulation of a Reformed view of the Holy Spirit is intelligent and persuasive. Theologians, biblical scholars, pastors, and serious layreaders would all benefit from this book. Read more ›

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent synthesis of biblical and sytematic theology. March 23, 2000

By Paul

Format:Paperback

Ferguson provides a refreshing study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. His approach is neither topical nor controversial, but rather a biblical-theological development of the Spirit as He is revealed in Scripture. Unlike so many speculative studies of the Holy Spirit, this book evidences a balanced exegetical approach. Highly recommended.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Unduly Recondite - very difficult to follow that is... February 8, 2011

By A.Raj Rao

Format:Paperback

I found this book to be very difficult to follow. Perhaps this is because it is as the Preface states, the book was written for students in academia. I would suggest that for those who are newbies to theology or this issue, that they might consider starting with say ... another book (e.g. see Graham Cole) and then move on to this book later.

Ok. That said... some comments about what you can find discussed in the book.

The book starts off with two prefaces. One by Gerald Bray and another by Ferguson itself. Then what follows are 11 chapters.

In chapter 1, we find mostly a discussion of Pneumatology (doctrine of the Holy Spirit(HSP)) as found in the the Old Testament(OT). A discussion of some Greek and Hebrew terms such as ruach and pneuma is given. Ferguson suggests interestingly enough that of the various possible meanings that can be suggested for the terms, the most dominant one is Scripture is that of power. The OT emphasis is "overwhelming energy."

Chapter 2 is concerned with tracing the ministry of the HSP in the life of Jesus Christ. One question that Ferguson raises and answers is: Why was there any need for a coming of the HSP at Jesus' baptism if Jesus was born full of the Spirit? Good question. Read it to find out what Ferguson says.

Chapter 3 concerns the pouring out of the Spirit on Pentecost. Ferguson also points out that there are four aspects to the HSP's ministry that help us to understand who He is and what He does. Also included in this chapter, is a discussion of Filioque.

Chapter 4 has to do with the continuities and discontinuities associated with Pentecost. Can Pentecost or Pentecost-like events be repeated today? Ferguson's answer is no.... There is only one unrepeatable Pentecost, yet there are aspects to Pentecost that one may find repeated today.

In Chapter 5 we find a discussion of the post-Pentecost activity of the Spirit. Justification, the ordo salutis and a very important topic - union with Christ - are taken up. An important Pneumatological question is taken up, viz. "How did the Spirit apply the blessings of Christ to the individual?"

Chapter 6 discusses the controversial issue of faith and regeneration. What is interesting is that according to Ferguson, faith and repentance in fact are the phenomenological (experience related) side of the Spirit's work in regeneration.

Chapter 7 has to do with the topic of sanctification or Christlikeness which is the outworking of our union with Christ. Sanctification is a big issue, and the discussion here is quite involved.

Chapter 8 discusses the fellowship that we have with the Spirit. Eschatologically speaking, it has an already-but-not-yet aspect to it.

Chapter 9 takes up a big and controversial issue: The Baptism of the HSP. Ferguson also discusses baptism, proper. Here he does so in relation to God's covenants, such as the Abrahamic and Noahic. Surprisingly Ferguson does not get into Covenant Theology here. (My assumption is that this is his background.)

Chapter 10 is also about another big and controversial issue: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Here Ferguson interacts with Grudem's two levels of prophecy. Healing, tongues and prophecy are discussed. Ferguson will come out as a Cessationist of course. (I used to be one for several years myself, btw.)

Chapter 11 begins by raising the question of the relationship between the created order and the redeemed order. The notion of the cosmic Spirit akin to the notion of the Cosmic Christ is discussed. In recent times, Pneumatology has been deployed in support of Universalism. Ferguson points out what is wrong with this. The very interesting issue of the Creation and its renewal by the HSP is then taken up.

Ok. That said... some thoughts: pluses and minuses.

Pluses:
1. If you can swallow this book, then you have learned a lot! It is a veritable learning experience.

2. The book is solidly exegetical and redemptive-historical(tracing a theme through the Bible from OT to the NT). You are not going to be sitting around scratching your head, wondering how Ferguson arrived at his points.

3. The book is deep and it will expose you to issues that you may not have been exposed to before and provoke you to thought in other areas of theology.

Minuses:

1. It would be good to see more interaction with Pentecostal writers besides Grudem. There are folks within the Continuationist and the Open-Yet-Cautious camp who do not buy what Grudem has to say. In chapter 10, what is interesting is the amount of space given to discussing Continuationism and Cessationism specifically. The section subtitled "A Case for Continuation?" is roughly 2 pages in length, whereas the corresponding section, "A Case for Cessationism?" is 14 pages in length.

2. In my mind, there are certain weaknesses. For example, I do not buy the 3-fold division of the Mosaic Law. (I come from the stand point of New Covenant Theology, btw.) I was not convinced by his arguments against Continuationism. (I am not saying that Cessationism is wrong, btw. I have a lot of reading to do. Given the little I know, that is the position that I have come to currently.)

3. Language: I found his style and prose difficult to get my head around.

~ Sometimes it was the spray of Latin found here and there. What is a floruit btw?

~ Sometimes it was getting used to thinking of things in certain ways, like the hypostatization of Spirit. What does that mean? Nobody ever hears of that.

~ Other times it was just ... I don't know clunky, difficult language.

For example, in Chapter 6, when Ferguson adumbrates on union with Christ, he says that it is multi-dimensional and ... bilateral in nature having faith as its other polarity. Polarity? Quoi? Here and there his language is like that. You have to re-read a few times before you get what he is saying.

Ok... Bye. Read more ›