The Holy Spirit

The Gospel Coalition Booklets

by Kevin DeYoung, D.A. Carson (Series Editor), Timothy J. Keller (Series Editor)

The Holy Spirit is perhaps the least understood, and least acknowledged, member of the Trinity, but his work in the gospel is indispensable. In this new booklet from the Gospel Coalition, Kevin DeYoung looks to Scripture to outline fundamental doctrine about the personhood and work of the Holy Spirit.  DeYoung describes the Holy Spirit as our ultimate gift. Jesus promised his followers that a “helper” would be given to them. It is through this helper that we actively experience the power and presence of God. In this booklet DeYoung notes the activity of the Holy Spirit in our lives, including his role in conviction, conversion, glorification, and the imparting of spiritual gifts.  The Holy Spirit  offers a thoughtful explanation for point 9 of the Gospel Coalition’s confessional statement. The Gospel Coalition is an evangelical renewal movement dedicated to a scripture-based reformation of ministry practices. 

Genres: Theology, Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Audiobook, Spirituality, Faith

30 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2011

About the author

Kevin DeYoung is the Senior Pastor at University Reformed Church (RCA) in East Lansing, Michigan, right across the street from Michigan State University.

Reviews

[Daniel]

It is a useful booklet, but it contributes nothing to the debate over cessationism.

[Ian]

This is a short introduction to the Holy Spirit and is very useful for anyone who is uncertain of the Spirit's role in relation to the Father and the Son.

The majority of the booklet covers the work of the Spirit which DeYoung has divided into seven categories: the Holy Spirit convicts, converts, applies, glorifies, sanctifies, equips, and promises. Filled with relevant Scripture references, these serve to provide a good outline as to the work of the Spirit.

[Gabriel]

This booklet gave me what I hoped to receive from reading it, but in a way that I did not expect. I had to read till the end though, which was easy because it is short and there wasn’t a part that dwelled longer on a topic than it should (in fact I wished he wrote more on the spiritual gifts part but I can see what he did not).

There’s surely more comprehensive books written about the Holy Spirit but I found this really helpful for me.

[Paul Halbeck]

Excellent book on the person of the Holy Spirit

The book tells of the necessary of the Holy Spirit for every believer. It is short and scripture based, should be a must read for every believer.

[Bryan Kuranaga]

I have been challenged to accept that the Spirit gives particular gifts to particular people for the building up of God's church. My flesh so craves and desires the praise of men and I want all of the gifts so as to be complimented by others. This is sin and I readily confess it with tear-stained eyes. The Spirit has gifted me with the right gifts for what God has called me to do. The other takeaway from this book is the encouragement at the very end of it to ask God unashamedly for a deeper and consistent filling of the Holy Spirit. I will definitely be doing this every time I pray!

[Chase Dougherty]

Good overview

I enjoy how organized Kevin is in his writing. Short concise and simple. I would have liked if he would have included common questions about the Holy Spirit, however it was still a great book!

[Chris Partyka]

Clear. Precise. Thorough.

“The Holy Spirit” is very basic introduction to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit that is ideal for discipleship or teaching.

[Mathew Nix]

A very clear and concise Reformed overview of the nature, role, and activity of the Holy Spirit

[Taylor Rollo]

A good, short introduction to the theology of the Holy Spirit.

[Josiah Richardson]

A decent treatment on the Holy Spirit. Too short to get into the meat of pneumatology, but what is included is good.

[Michael]

An excellent booklet on the Holy Spirit.

[Adam Bloch]

Tiny, but good, book on the Holy Spirit. Short enough there's nothing much to disagree with! ha

[Curby Graham]

Excellent short introduction to the role of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life.

[Samuel]

The problem with writinga review eleven days after you finish a book is that you forget somewhat why you rated it as you did. Especially if those intervening eleven days contain Christmas and New Year's.
So the booklet was solid in many ways, but it didn't particulary grab me, and DeYoung's humour didn't win any stars either. Three stars. Which, according to Goodreads means; 'I liked it'.

[Becky]

If I could get away with it, I'd simply say that the book was short but oh-so-good. But one sentence does not a review make. (Though at times, I wish it could be just that simple.)

Kevin DeYoung's book is on the Holy Spirit. Chances are that if you read Christian nonfiction, you've probably read dozens of books about Jesus, about salvation, or, about the attributes of God. But you've probably not read all that much about the Holy Spirit. (I think less is probably written about The Holy Spirit. And not all that has been written is worth reading.) DeYoung's book addresses WHO the Holy Spirit is, WHAT the Holy Spirit does (also what he has done, what he is doing, what he will do), and WHY the gift of the Spirit was such a GREAT, AMAZING gift to the world, to the church.

I've read longer books on the Holy Spirit, but, this short one does just as good a job, in my opinion. And perhaps its conciseness will encourage readers to pick it up.

[Laura]

This little booklet does what it set out to do: provide a simple overview of the Holy Spirit.
Who is He? What does He do? How are we to engage with Him?
Crisply and clearly written.

Although it contains a truly horrible illustration of glaze on a Krispy Kreme donut....I recommend this as a super-quick, basic introduction.
(With a request: let's agree to let the Krispy Kreme reference die an unrecognized death. Never to be forwarded or reused. )

[Mark A Powell]

This entry in the series of Gospel Coalition booklets highlights the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Much more than an impersonal, vague force that has little more than mystical effects on feelings, the Holy Spirit is God Himself, personally working in the lives of His people. Constrained by the format of this series, DeYoung nevertheless manages to convey several of the main ideas about the identity and activity of the Spirit within His church.

[Katie]

In a word, amazing.

[JD Veer]

Good wrap up of the subject. Short, sweet and biblical (as DeYoung always is!)

[Kate]

Great little booklet on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Great to give to a new believer, short and sweet.

[Wilma]

Very comprehensive

I like this book! Easy to understand with everyday language and great analogies. It is short and comprehensive without stirring up controversy.

[James Brixey]

A truly excellent, balanced and helpful read. Well worth while