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The Holy Spirit
This book on the Holy Spirit is the outgrowth of lectures on the topic given in Dr. Walvoord's classes at Dallas Theological Seminary. Over the years, this book has aroused considerable interest and gone through 23 printings in hardcover before prompting this new paperback edition. The Holy Spirit is an extensive treatment of the entire doctrine of pneumatology, using some 1500 Scripture citations, and is designed for theological students and pastors as well as for laypeople desiring to get a complete presentation of the third person of the Trinity who indwells all Christians.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 7, 2019
"According to Ephesians 1:13 and 4:30, the believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit. No subsequent ministry is traced to this operation. From 2 Corinthians 1:22, it may be inferred that the seal is none other than the Holy Spirit Himself. God in mercy has provided in the presence of the Spirit a seal of greater significance than could be found in anyone or anything else. The figure is that of a finished transaction. As discussed in relation to typology, a seal signifies security, safety, ownership, and authority or responsibility. The seal is provided as the token of what will be brought to its conclusion at the day of redemption." (John F. Walvoord, The Holy Spirit)
This book was a highly theological study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The author does not consult the Bible alone, but refers to various scholars who have written about the Holy Spirit. I found he placed a lot of emphasis on who said what, rather than on what the Word of God says plainly and its authority. We must not rely on man alone to interpret the Bible, as man is subject to error, no matter how scholarly they may be. I would say this book wasn't heresy, but there were errors in it. For example, he wrote chapters entitled: Permanent Spiritual Gifts and Temporary Spiritual Gifts. I have news for you Mr. Walvoord, THERE IS NO SUCH THING! And to teach such thing is leading people astray. It would be good to heed the words James 3:1. All the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today. Jesus said the works He has done, we would do. He operated in the gifts of prophesy, healing, miracles, deliverance...and He said we should do "GREATER"...and that the signs of speaking in new tongues, casting out devils...raising the dead would follow those who believe (See Mark 16:17-18; John 14:12).
The following is a quote directly from this book taken from Chapter 14, titled Permanent Spiritual Gifts that I found to be terrible teaching:
The author basically says that certain sects claim to have these temporary spiritual gifts, but they abuse them, so this brings their authenticity into question. Wasn't that what was happening in the Apostle Paul's days? And the reason why he gave specific instructions on their operation? Did he write all these instructions on spiritual gifts for his health? No. He wrote these instructions so that believers would know how to operate in their gifts decently and in order and he even said "desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy" (1 Corinthians 14:1).
A highly theological book that relies on other men's opinions about the person and work of the Holy Spirit at times (not all the time, but some of the time), rather on what the Bible says plainly.
Not recommended for the novice who wants to study about the Holy Spirit.
This book was a highly theological study of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The author does not consult the Bible alone, but refers to various scholars who have written about the Holy Spirit. I found he placed a lot of emphasis on who said what, rather than on what the Word of God says plainly and its authority. We must not rely on man alone to interpret the Bible, as man is subject to error, no matter how scholarly they may be. I would say this book wasn't heresy, but there were errors in it. For example, he wrote chapters entitled: Permanent Spiritual Gifts and Temporary Spiritual Gifts. I have news for you Mr. Walvoord, THERE IS NO SUCH THING! And to teach such thing is leading people astray. It would be good to heed the words James 3:1. All the gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today. Jesus said the works He has done, we would do. He operated in the gifts of prophesy, healing, miracles, deliverance...and He said we should do "GREATER"...and that the signs of speaking in new tongues, casting out devils...raising the dead would follow those who believe (See Mark 16:17-18; John 14:12).
The following is a quote directly from this book taken from Chapter 14, titled Permanent Spiritual Gifts that I found to be terrible teaching:
"An examination of the sixteen spiritual gifts revealed in the New Testament will disclose considerable differences in the character of the gifts. Certain gifts are clearly the possession of the church today as exhibited in their exercise in gifted men throughout the present dispensation. There is little doubt that some men today have (1) the gift of teaching, (2) the gift of helping or ministering, (3) the gift of administration or ruling, (4) the gift of evangelism, (5) the gift of being a pastor, (6) the gift of exhortation, (7) the gift of giving, (8) the gift of showing mercy, and (9) the gift of faith. In contrast to these, as their individual exposition will demonstrate, stand other spiritual gifts known by the early Christians, which seem to have passed from the scene with the apostolic period. Some of these are claimed for today by certain sects, whose neglect of the Scriptural instructions for use of these gifts is in itself a testimony to the spurious quality of their affected gifts. Among these temporary gifts the following can be named: (1) the gift of apostleship, (2) the gift of prophecy, (3) the gift of miracles, (4) the gift of healing, (5) the gift of tongues, (6) the gift of interpreting tongues, (7) the gift of discerning spirits."
The author basically says that certain sects claim to have these temporary spiritual gifts, but they abuse them, so this brings their authenticity into question. Wasn't that what was happening in the Apostle Paul's days? And the reason why he gave specific instructions on their operation? Did he write all these instructions on spiritual gifts for his health? No. He wrote these instructions so that believers would know how to operate in their gifts decently and in order and he even said "desire spiritual gifts, especially prophecy" (1 Corinthians 14:1).
A highly theological book that relies on other men's opinions about the person and work of the Holy Spirit at times (not all the time, but some of the time), rather on what the Bible says plainly.
Not recommended for the novice who wants to study about the Holy Spirit.
February 15, 2024
Enjoyed Walvoord's Biblical study on the Holy Spirit.
April 27, 2024
I taught a class using this book as my main references. one of the best on the person of theHoly Spirit.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews