Life-Changing Teaching on the Helper, the Holy Spirit Sarah Bowling, daughter of healing ministry pioneer Marilyn Hickey, learned about a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit early in life. But she feared excesses and emotionalism, and remained skeptical until she was a young woman, facing many unanswered questions about this mysterious Person. With candor about her extraordinary upbringing, Bowling shares her personal journey to find answers. Working from the Bible's original languages, she addresses essential characteristics of the Holy Spirit, including many qualities often overlooked. Basing her study on Jesus' teaching during the Last Supper, Bowling offers refreshing insights for skeptics, new believers, and mature Christians alike. As you grow in understanding from Jesus' own words about the Holy Spirit, you can embrace the comfort, guidance, and power he is ready to give you every day.
I have no words to just explain how this book has transformed my life. Sarah has used simple clear allegories that have helped me understand how wonderful my relationship with my God can be. I love it so much. I have read many books on the topic but this book is top of my list!! It's a must read for you.
Would really have appreciated an introduction to the book whereby Bowling would, at the start of the book, clearly highlight the allegorical nature of the fictional storyline of Ruth and Naomi. Somehow I had missed that part and had a rude shock when I found out in the last chapter. What I had thought to be an amazing and authentic recounting of a real life friendship turned out to be just a fairy tale. While I did feel cheated (although due to my own fault of not reading more conscientiously), I really did enjoy the story though!
The book's primary thesis would probably be the importance and joy of living a life that is sensitive and obedient to to Holy Spirit. As Bowling does not attempt to engage in complicated theological discussion, the book is suitable for readers with sparse bible knowledge, i.e. new believers or even Christians who have yet to receive formal theological/seminary training.
While easy to read and not too lengthy, I was bothered by the many attempts at lexical theology, i.e. trying to explain the Greek meaning of a word to illustrate a point. As my hermeneutics professor pointed out, the non-Greek and non-Hebrew students/scholars often give themselves away by doing that; those well versed with the bible languages are able to explain and persuade using english words. For an important caution, see D A Carson's Exegetical Fallacies (http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59...).
I am concerned why Bowling had to use fictional stories when personal testimonies would have added so much more credibility and encouragement to those who struggle with listening to and obeying to the voice of the Holy Spirit. This and coupled with the problematic lexical theologies, make me hesitant to recommend this book. Hopefully in subsequent revisions, Bowling would be able to share more of her real-life testimonies and experiences.
p.s. If I could think of a person who walks and talks and lives a life in tune with the Spirit's voice, Sis Margaret Seaward comes to mind. While you probably would not be able to find books written by her, she ministers and lectures in churches and bible schools in Singapore and Malaysia. Hopefully she would be able to pen down her testimonies and real-life encounters with the Holy Spirit so that generations across the world would be blessed and encouraged.
I received this book from Baker Publishing Group's Chosen Books Blogger Review Program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.
Because I am one of those people more sensitive to learning and changing my opinions and attitudes by stories found in fiction, I don’t read much nonfiction. So, when a friend who knew my preferences urged me to read Heavenly Help, I was resistant. I’m glad I gave Heavenly Help a chance. Sarah Bowling based her book on Jesus’s teaching during the Last Supper. I found Sarah’s insights into the Holy Spirit and her practical approach in leading you on a journey into a deeper relationship with the Helper refreshing and exciting. I also loved that the illustrations given on each point in the book were told through a fictional friendship, something that is more relatable to me. Easy to read and encouraging, Heavenly Help was just the right book to read at this time for me (leading up to Easter Sunday).