The Silent Shepherd: The Care, Comfort, and Correction of the Holy Spirit

by John F. MacArthur Jr.

The role of the Holy Spirit in a Christian's life is often misunderstood. Some believers focus solely on spiritual gifts, some emphasize the practical over the spiritual, and others avoid the subject altogether. Yet in spite of the apparent confusion, the truth is surprisingly simple: God's Spirit is a vital part of our relationship with Him.

The Silent Shepherd offers a balanced, scripturally sound look at the personality, works, and deity of the Holy Spirit. Drawing from over 40 years in ministry, pastor and author John MacArthur, Jr. clears away misconceptions, offers fresh insights, and shares how God's Spirit can guide, lead, and empower every believer. This revised and updated edition includes a guide for both personal and group study and features discovery questions, suggestions for prayer, and activities, all designed to connect life-changing truths with everyday living.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Christianity

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1996

About the author

John F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.

Reviews

[Harlem Raudales · Rating 5 out of 5]

No hay necesidad de exponer tanto error que las personas han cometido con respecto a la persona y obra del Espíritu Santo, conocer la verdad es suficiente.
Y es admirable que en tan pocas páginas y de una manera práctica se pueda adquirir tanto conocimiento sobre la verdadera función de la tercera persona de la trinidad.
Gracias a Dios por este material.

[Josh Rathmell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very nice and proper little primer on the Holy Spirit! Very good John MacArthur book!

[Deborah-Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a book by John MacArthur, but I really enjoyed it. This book is all about the Holy Spirit not from the angle of the Charismatic movement where the Holy Spirit literally becomes everything, nor from the perspective of many groups which believe that the gifts do not continue today, but from a healthy and balanced perspective. This book explores the themes of the Holy Spirit: who exactly is He and what does He do? It discusses His role throughout the entirety of Scripture and finishes with practical ways He is moving today (for example in our need to exhort and encourage one another). This book uses a lot of Bible passages as well as draws from other key theologians. It is a relatively easy to read book for anyone regardless of how long they have been a Christian or of their educational background. I thought it was a great primer for a healthy discussion on this particular topic.

[Deeps George · Rating 4 out of 5]

The power and presence of the Holy Spirit is a critical part of who we are in Christiandom or more importantly it is through the Holy Spirit we are able to live the gospel and reflect Jesus’s light in all we do.
John Macarthur defines the truth of the Holy Spirit through this book helping us to see over the many misconceptions that have risen about the Holy Spirit.
An excellent book that would help Christians on any level to understand , live and glorify God because of the Holy Spirit that lies within us.

[Sara Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gracias a la lectura de este libro en mi corazón el Pastor silencioso, el Espíritu Santo, cobró una personalidad única y maravillosa. Ahora puedo pensar con claridad en la obra del E. S. en el Antiguo Testamento, en qué es el bautismo del E. S. y qué es ser llena del Espíritu con total libertad.

En mi búsqueda por no ofenderlo, me di cuenta de que lo había estado ignorando, ahora espero cada día someterme a su dirección y reconocer el grandioso don que Dios nos ha dado como iglesia 💜✨

[Pat Lentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provided a lot of sound, Biblically solid teaching and insight about the Holy Spirit. I appreciated the chapter about the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament leading to our appreciation and knowledge of that same Spirit today. I feel like I have a more thorough understanding of what the Holy Spirit is and how it fits together into the trinity.

[Clara Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

The silent Shepherd is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is first mentioned in Gen. 1:1-2. The Spirit is portrayed as a dove, as fire, as wind, as one who sends, as a pledge, as water, and a clothing.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting and moving book on the Holy Spirit. I found MacArthur's writing style so welcoming and easy to follow, and the way he described things was so helpful. I also really appreciated his use of scripture, both in quotes and in simple reference.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much more to the Holy Spirit than we are taught. This book includes a personal/ group study to encourage continued growth and understanding. I intend to use this resource individually for continued spiritual growth.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid theologically sound book on the Holy Spirit.

[Andrew Scholes · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent discussion of the Holy Spirit and His role in our lives.

[What · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Loved the insight and the stewardship.

[Sydney Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, clear information on the Holy Spirit, always backed up with Scripture.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great living theology

[Justin Blackwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good study on the role of the Holy Spirit

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful book by John MacArthur which is different than many books on the Holy Spirit because the role of Holy Spirit is predicated on the difference between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. This key distinction will help any Christian navigate the difference between Charismatic, Continuationist and Cessationist understandings of the spiritual gifts, which is a topic that is not directly addressed in this book.

[Chris Maguire · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was good but seemed to deal mostly with the old and new covenants rather than with the Holy Spirit. The parts that did deal with the Holy Spirit seemed shallow and basic.

I'm glad I read it because the parts on the covenants were great, but that wasn't what the title led me to believe I'd be reading about.

This book was not well edited.

[Kendra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I had avoided "The Silent Shepherd" by John MacArthur. The book presents rigid and dogmatic views on the Holy Spirit that may not resonate with many modern readers. The approach lacks the nuance and empathy found in more inclusive theological works. If you're seeking a more balanced and compassionate perspective, there are better options available.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book dealing with the Holy Spirit. Non-charismatic and gives a proper view of the function of the Holy Spirit in a Christian's life. The copy that I had includes a study guide for group Bible study in teaching other Christians.

[Don Hobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best I have read from MacArthur. He does a great job of applying scripture to the major points. He causes you to really reflect on what you have just read.

[Jacob O'connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've found one of the more powerful things I can pray is simply to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  I thought about this as I read Silent Shepherd.  


John MacAurthur was a tremendous help to me when I was a young believer.  I remember locking myself away for days reading through his commentaries on Romans.  I get less out of his writings these days.  He's good, but I think his books are retrofitted from his sermons.  The result is so homiletic that it's frustrating.  Looking for a little more meat on the bone.  



Notes:


1) The better a mediator is able to represent both sides, the better a mediator he is.  Therefore is was necessary that Christ be both God and man.  (517)