Holy Power, Holy Presence: Rediscovering Medieval Metaphors for the Holy Spirit

by Elizabeth A. Dreyer

Criticism has frequently been leveled at western theology that the Holy Spirit has been neglected in the history of the Christian tradition. In response to that criticism, Elizabeth Dreyer, examining genres rarely studied such as spiritual treatises, letters, sermons, and prayers, documents the creative use of metaphors from the Bible and everyday life that were used to describe the Holy Spirit. The book highlights the centrality of the doctrine of the Trinity and the intimate relationship among the three persons. The author reviews recent developments in the theology of the Holy Spirit and, with questions for reflection in each chapter, helps readers explore ways in which this material might be used today by individuals, parish groups, sacramental preparation, preaching, the classroom and theology. Authors Augustine, Hildegard of Bingen, Bernard of Clairvaux, Bonaventure, Catherine of Siena and Julian of Norwich. †

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 3, 2007

Reviews

[Victoria Gaile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conventional wisdom has it that pneumatology withered away in the West until its recent revival over the past few decades. Dreyer's most interesting finding is that this is true in the formal writings of systematic theologians, but that the Spirit was present in the preaching and devotional writings of medieval Christians in the West.

I focused on the chapter on Hildegard for a school presentation I was doing, but the introduction and conclusion were interesting and I'd like to come back and read the chapters on the other medieval writers she highlights.