Gift and Giver: The Holy Spirit for Today

by Craig S. Keener

In Gift and Giver, leading New Testament scholar Craig Keener takes a probing look at the various evangelical understandings of the role of the Holy Spirit in the church. He explores topics such as spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit, the Spirit's power for evangelism, and hearing God's voice. His desire is for Christians to "work for consensus, or at least for unity in God's work despite our differences on secondary matters."

Employing a helpful narrative approach and an ample number of stories, Keener enters into constructive dialogue with Pentecostals, moderates, and cessationists, all the while attempting to learn from each viewpoint. He seeks to bridge the gap between cessationists and Pentecostals/charismatics by urging all Christians to seek the Holy Spirit's empowerment. His irenic approach to this controversial issue has been endorsed by charismatics and non-charismatics alike.

Sure to provoke helpful dialogue on a topic that has caused unfortunate divisions within the church, Gift and Giver will be a valuable addition to college and seminary courses on pneumatology. It will also be helpful to lay readers interested in a balanced discussion of spiritual gifts. This repackaged edition includes an updated preface and a substantive new afterword.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Christian, Faith, Discipleship

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2001

About the author

Craig S. Keener (PhD, Duke University) is professor of New Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of many books, including Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, the bestseller The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, The Historical Jesus of the Gospels, Gift and Giver, and commentaries on Matthew, John, Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, and Revelation.

Reviews

[Alexandru Croitor · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Holy Spirit, like the Father and the Son, is not just a doctrine, an idea, or an experience to be tagged on to the other doctrines and experiences of our Christian life. He is the God who has invaded our lives with his transforming presence."

"Only if Christians listen to one another's reasons for holding different views will we be able to work for consensus, or at least for unity in God's work despite our differences".
Well, that is certainly true and this book lives up to its stated expectations. Keener is such an irenic writer, even when he (lovingly) challenges the non-charismatic (cessationist) position.

While I do think "revelatory" - a proper qualification to point out their teleological purpose - gifts have ceased, I grant that I might err and wouldn't find this to be a "theological hill" to die on. Ironically, as Michael Horton said in a great conversation he had with Dr. Keener, the "spoils of war" our ascended Lord had won and shared with us are being used as "throwing grenades" - even Keener points this out: "In Western Christianity today, people are often far more eager to attend to controversial issues such as Spirit baptism and spiritual gifts than discussions about the Spirit's character."
Ergo, I would recommend this book even to cessationists, for there's plenty of good stuff in here (especially in the beginning - his laying down of the main tenets of the biblical doctrine of the Holy Spirit is splendid) and also for charismatics *willing to mature* (to use Keener's phrase).

(Some of) his stories are really encouraging, not in arguing for a case but simply to point out how God really, providentially, works out His will in the world - no respectable cessationist would deny this fact: God does miracles even today; miracles and God's providential 'ordering of steps' have not ceased.

There's, obviously, disagreement - in the way he deals with historical narratives and also in his discussion on 1 Cor 13 -- I am inclined not to see the "canon" in the "perfect" (wouldn't so easily disqualify this, tho) and to go for the eschatological interpretation but with more of Gaffin's observations that this, in light of the eschaton, shows the nature of the gifts (i.e temporary), not exactly until when will they be active -- and Ephesians 2:20: he gives credit to (and even commends) Gaffin's exegesis (and his overall attitude towards charismatics) but diverges (a bit unjustified, if you ask me) at some points.

Charismatics tend to downplay the importance of the Scripture, but Keener isn't one of them and his love for the Bible taken as a whole, in its proper context is extremely encouraging.
It's been a great read and helpful, I think, in positively advancing the discussion (and relations) between charismatics and non-charismatics.

[Bryce Beale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a cessationist, and this is a book on the Holy Spirit by a continuationist. Its arguments did not change my view. I believe that God-inspired phenomena today should not surprise us, but that they fall short of the descriptions of the revelatory sign gifts which were commonplace in early Christianity. God can lead by impressions, certainly; but I am hesitant to equate that to God's leading of the apostles in the book of Acts. So, I remain a cessationist. That said, this is the best book on continuationism by a continuationist that I have read.

Keener is an admirable mixture of scholar and devotion. His passion for evangelism and frontier missions comes through; at the time this book was first published in 2001 he was unmarried and seemed to possess that gift named by Paul: "undivided devotion to the Lord" (1 Cor. 7).

What is more, Keener is careful. Much of this book consists of caveats and corrections of charismatic excesses.

If Keener were a cessationist, I do not doubt this book would earn five stars from me. As it stands, I retain two, but I do appreciate the warmth and heart and Scripture-focus of the work.

[David Perde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where to begin with this book? Long story short, Craig Keener's "Gift and Giver" is a marvelous treatment of the theology of the Holy Spirit. Though it may seem short (a bit over 200 pages), this book is jam-packed with numerous insights regarding the works of the Holy Spirit and the distribution of spiritual gifts today.

Keener makes a case for the continuation of all spiritual gifts and sings and miracles, whilst also presenting numerous arguments from both views (cessationists and continuations).

In the case of miracles and signs, Keener argues that they are still occurring today, though not every believer must experience the same amount of miracles and signs as Elijah, Elisha, or the believers in Acts. Miracles are not issued by God to make a believer feel more spiritual. The Spirit empowers us to witness Christ. God does not call all of us or does not equip us to witness in the same way.

Regarding the spiritual gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit, Keener states that skepticism about gifts (and miracles too) can be understandable to some extent. Throughout the Bible, we can see moments of waning and growth of God's intervention, but spiritual gifts were never absent. Some people may be inclined to believe that spiritual gifts have ceased because they have not witnessed some of the more "popular" spiritual gifts (prophesy, tongues, healing, etc.), thus identifying as a cessationist. In contrast, people who practice spiritual gifts will be definitely more inclined to affirm that spiritual gifts are for today!

Another subject that Keener treats is the baptism with/in the Holy Spirit. On one hand, Keener treats the subject of baptism with the Spirit, mainly in light of the texts of Luke (Acts) and Paul. Regarding Acts, Keener focuses on passages such as the day of Pentecost, Cornelius's conversion, and that of the Samaritans. The exegetical treatment of these passages is superb. Though the passages discussed offer different views regarding the baptism in the Spirit, Keener proposses that the conflict regarding the moment of the baptism (at conversion or afterward) must be reconciled because it has divided the Church of Christ for too long (though this may be very difficult to achieve...)

In conclusion, Craig Keener's "Gift and Giver" is a wonderful book for studying the matter of spiritual gifts, miracles, and the theology of the Holy Spirit.

[Jeff Winkelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so appreciate his thoughtfulness in describing the ways in which the church has taught and experienced the holy spirit and his gifts. His main thrust by the end is beautiful - the gifts were given to build up the body, not create divisions. He is honoring and challenging, winsome and yet unafraid in speaking truth to a disconnected body on this topic. And throughout is deeply rooted in scripture. A great read for the entire body of Christ, not just pentecostals or charismatics.

[Brandon H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gifts and Giver is a theologically rich, Biblical-grounded look at the subject of the Holy Spirit and the gifts He gives. As a Charismatic believer who enjoys going deeper than what is popular in many Charismatic circles, this book was FAR from disappointing for me!

Besides the stories from his personal life, the insightful background of the Jewish culture in the days of the gospels and Acts, and his ability to get to the heart of the matter on what he writes about, I thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Keener's humble attitude and irenic approach to the often divisive topics. His call to the Body of Christ to unity and peace was refreshing. His call to Biblical interpretation with integrity is greatly needed in all denominations and especially in the subject matter he addresses in this book.

If you don't know much about the subject of the gifts of the Spirit or if you've been around people who teach and flow in the gifts most of your life, this a great book to read.

Some quotes I liked -

"An important step in getting to know God is to realize how available he is to us. In learning to hear God, it helps us to take on faith the fact that we are already in his presence. If we must make ourselves worthy of his presence first, we will never get there."

"God is consistent with his nature and declared purposes in Scripture, but he is not limited to our finite understanding of him or the ways we think he should work."

"Imagine visiting a town at night that appears to have no lights, no televisions—not even alarm clocks. And then imagine learning that the town’s power supply is virtually infinite, but that no one in the town had thought to turn any of their electrical appliances on. Wouldn’t that town seem like a silly place to you? Yet the Church is all too often like that town. God has given us the power of His Spirit to fulfill His mission in the world, yet few Christians have even begun to depend on His power."

"Because I am committed to the truth of Scripture, I must try to understand what Scripture says, even if it transcends my own experience."

"Satan does not mind trotting forth his power. If the world is to recognize that God’s power is greater, God’s representatives must believe it and act accordingly."

"Unity does not mean that we agree on all details, but it does mean that we love each other and work together for the good of the gospel in spite of our differences."

"God will judge us for our character and obedience, not for how much power he gave us (compare Matt. 7:15–23; 1 Cor. 3:6–15; 4:1–5)."

"Although some who claim to be spokespersons of the Spirit today emphasize how many possessions they can get from God, true people of the Spirit emphasize how much they can give to serve their brothers and sisters and the cause of Christ."

"So pervasively has Enlightenment culture’s anti-supernaturalism affected the Western church, especially educated European and North American Christians, that most of us are suspicious of anything supernatural."

"...the early church fathers provide abundant evidence that gifts such as prophecy and miracles continued in their own time, even if not as abundantly as in the first century.[4]Christians in the medieval and modern periods continued to embrace these activities of the Spirit.[5] It is in fact cessationism that is not well documented in earlier history; it seems no coincidence that it arose only in a culture dominated by anti-supernaturalism.[6]"

[Virginia Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful

I love this book. I’m grateful to see how influenced Keener was by the Word, and how that influenced his experiences. It was a powerful call to unity in the midst of confusion. I want to reread it soon. A gift for the church.

[Josh Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1996, Craig Keener wrote a book called 3 Crucial Questions About the Holy Spirit. Five years later, that content got significantly reworked into the first edition of Gift and Giver: The Holy Spirit for Today. And about twenty years after that, Baker Books and Dr. Keener are revisiting that text to ensure that the “today” element in still relevant as we march through the twenty-first century. I mention the book’s history simply to show how the topic has remained consistently relevant across the decades and how Keener has been regarded as an academic authority on the issue for just as long.

The bulk of the text is largely unchanged from the first edition, as Keener has remained committed to his exegetical conclusions and not found any better arguments for his continuationist position or heard any stronger rebuttals from the cessationist position. That’s interesting to me because, usually theological arguments like this have a firm grounding where the peripherals shift over time as nuances of the debate change. Keener seems convinced that the debate has virtually gone nowhere in twenty years and—looking around at the scholarship—he appears to be right.

The Charismatic/continuationist “side” often has the misfortune of being categorized with television evangelists, Word of Faith practitioners, and others who misuse or overemphasize the supernatural. It’s also, and I say this carefully, largely academically deficient. The most well-known Charismatics aren’t academically pedigreed (sometimes looking down upon such training) and have been known to spout some wild and unorthodox theories. The academic rigor with which continuationism has been defended does not match the rigor with which cessationism has been defended.

Craig Keener almost singlehandedly changes that. Gift and Giver didn’t make me a continuationist (I already was one), but it made me more academically comfortable with that position. It is the book I would go to in order to outline and present a case for the supernatural role of the Holy Spirit today. Keener writes with precision and personality, interweaving his personal journey toward his current beliefs with an accessible and understandable exposition and defense of those beliefs. He is fair and nuanced, has an adept understanding of the cessationist position and the flawed extremes of some within continuationism. His tone is irenic and conversational. His exegesis is excellent. It’s very well thought through and presented and, even when I come down with a slightly different understanding, I’m left with a better understanding of his position.

Pair this book with Spiritual Gifts by cessationist Thomas Schreiner and you have the very best scholarship that each side of the debate can give you presented in a fashion that is both academic and agreeable, absent from the vitriol and extremism that characterizes the debate in popular circles. Gift and Giver is a breath of fresh, calming air on a contentious topic. A true masterpiece!

[Etienne OMNES · Rating 4 out of 5]

Je m'attendais à une défense du charismatisme. J'ai lu bien mieux que cela.

Le but principal de Craig Keener dans ce livre est de dessiner non pas une via media, un compromis entre les deux positions, mais une via commonis, c'est à dire montrer l'ensemble de ce que nous avons en commun entre cessationnistes et charismatiques, et comment nous pouvons travailler ensemble.

Il ne s'agit pas de ce que nous avons en commun en dehors de la question des charismes: on parle bien de ce que nous pouvons avoir de commun sur cette question précise.

En plusieurs chapitres bien ciblés, Craig Keener revisite les détails du débat (les langues, le baptême du st esprit, la prophétie...) d'un point de vue charismatique, mais corrige les excès charismatiques, et s'attache à démontrer que les charismes ne sont pas l'ennemi de la saine doctrine, mais simplement un élément de la vie chrétienne qui a sa place dans l'édification du corps de Christ, pas la place principale, mais une place réelle malgré tout. Il insiste lourdement sur l'autorité suprême de l'Ecriture, et son chapitre sur la distinction des fausses prophéties vaut à lui seule la lecture.

Au final, son message principal est le suivant: les charismes sont d'abord et avant tout des dons de l'Esprit et donc en tant que tel servent à faire grandir l'amour et l'unité dans l'église. Toute utilisation ou rejet des charismes qui ne font grandir ni l'amour ni l'unité sont à proscrire. Il est légitime de ne pas pratiquer les charismes, si ce n'est pas le don que vous avez. De même, il est légitime de les pratiquer, si c'est que Dieu vous donne. Mais quelle que soit la situation, travaillez à l'amour et l'unité du Corps de Christ, et visez l'édification mutuelle. Cela requiert que les séparatistes charismatiques se calment et cessent de faire des dons surnaturels la marque du vrai chrétien. Cela requiert que John MacArthur et ses imitateurs cessent de faire des dons surnaturels la marque de la bête.

C'est aujourd'hui possible, et Craig Keener montre bien que l'on peut aller très loin dans cette via commonis. Il ne reste plus qu'à vivre l'amour et l'unité dans l'église, dans le respect de la "diversité des opérations" du Saint Esprit.

[Jess Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Une bonne défense de la continuation des dons. Keener y est très ouvert et honnête, n'hésitant jamais à confronter les excès des "conti". Et proposant des exemples concret afin de donner un meilleur témoignage.

Le seul vrai point faible est peut-être dans les interactions avec les cessationistes. Si il prend en compte les critiques (notamment de MacArthur), reconnaissant quand elles sont vraies et répondant quand il les juges fausses, il ne répond pas aux arguments plus théologiques. Son but est plutôt de faire une présentation positive. De plus il a une vision par moment un peu simpliste de la chose, se contentant de dire "c'est le rationalisme des Lumières".

Ce qui fait que malgré ses qualités ce livre n'est pas suffisant à lui seul pour traiter la question mais il reste une excellente ressource sur le sujet.

[Nathan Marone]

An excellent book. Keener is an unapologetic continuationist and his exegesis is solid (though I presume you could get a more fleshed out treatment in his commentary on Acts and commentaries on various epistles). This is the first full book I've read of his and I am very impressed with his generosity. He does not reject his cessationist brothers and sisters and is even willing to imagine situations where local bodies of believers are best off not practicing the more controversial spiritual gifts.

Whatever your take on the cessationist-continuationist debate, Keener is highly recommended.

[Eric Blessing · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was expecting the book to be a more academic survey of Pneumatology, going through language and history as I have previously experienced with Keener's work. The book ended up being a more personal testimony. Still good, and still gave me a bit to chew on when it comes to how I view the third person of the Trinity.

[Carissa Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good

This book will help all Christians find common ground and work for unity in the body of Christ. Dr. Keener has some wonderful experience and I look forward to reading more of his works. This work is a good blend of sound teaching and practical experience and insight.

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Keener does a wonderful job here. What I love most is the personal stories! This is hardly a droning textbook on the Holy Spirit. This book also has the capacity to unite folks on different sides of the many issues regrading the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

[Anthony Giles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written and not overly scholarly. It is easy for lay people to pick up and understand. He brings light to many things and address many issues around Gifts, both good and bad. His address of love out the end is convicting. Greatly appreciated.

[starspangledman withaplan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly for the casual reader. You can't cover everything about the Holy Spirit in 224 pages. I found the last chapter's comments against the "separatist"-minded charismatics leaving all the non-charismatic churches in the functionally cessationist ditch to be the most compelling.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A generous and fair treatment of different perspectives. Thorough enough to be a helpful resource and loving enough to serve as an approach to emulate. Thanks for a great book.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading. If you have any questions about the Holy Spirit, start with this one.

[Alex Connell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite read. It's fine.

[Adam Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I disagree with Craig Keener on many points, but I appreciate his approach in this book, for his passion, warmth and humility.

[Josh Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1996, Craig Keener wrote a book called 3 Crucial Questions About the Holy Spirit. Five years later, that content got significantly reworked into the first edition of Gift and Giver: The Holy Spirit for Today. And about twenty years after that, Baker Books and Dr. Keener are revisiting that text to ensure that the “today” element in still relevant as we march through the twenty-first century. I mention the book’s history simply to show how the topic has remained consistently relevant across the decades and how Keener has been regarded as an academic authority on the issue for just as long.

The bulk of the text is largely unchanged from the first edition, as Keener has remained committed to his exegetical conclusions and not found any better arguments for his continuationist position or heard any stronger rebuttals from the cessationist position. That’s interesting to me because, usually theological arguments like this have a firm grounding where the peripherals shift over time as nuances of the debate change. Keener seems convinced that the debate has virtually gone nowhere in twenty years and—looking around at the scholarship—he appears to be right.

The Charismatic/continuationist “side” often has the misfortune of being categorized with television evangelists, Word of Faith practitioners, and others who misuse or overemphasize the supernatural. It’s also, and I say this carefully, largely academically deficient. The most well-known Charismatics aren’t academically pedigreed (sometimes looking down upon such training) and have been known to spout some wild and unorthodox theories. The academic rigor with which continuationism has been defended does not match the rigor with which cessationism has been defended.

Craig Keener almost singlehandedly changes that. Gift and Giver didn’t make me a continuationist (I already was one), but it made me more academically comfortable with that position. It is the book I would go to in order to outline and present a case for the supernatural role of the Holy Spirit today. Keener writes with precision and personality, interweaving his personal journey toward his current beliefs with an accessible and understandable exposition and defense of those beliefs. He is fair and nuanced, has an adept understanding of the cessationist position and the flawed extremes of some within continuationism. His tone is irenic and conversational. His exegesis is excellent. It’s very well thought through and presented and, even when I come down with a slightly different understanding, I’m left with a better understanding of his position.

Pair this book with Spiritual Gifts by cessationist Thomas Schreiner and you have the very best scholarship that each side of the debate can give you presented in a fashion that is both academic and agreeable, absent from the vitriol and extremism that characterizes the debate in popular circles. Gift and Giver is a breath of fresh, calming air on a contentious topic. A true masterpiece!

[Mike E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Keener is to be applauded for his relentless pursuit of fairness in representing opposing views as well as being real with his readers. I appreciated his frank--and sometimes self-deprecating--honesty with personal real life examples.

I recommend:
"Showing the Spirit: A Theological Exposition of 1 Corinthians 12–14"
by D.A. Carson


Were the Spirit to be withdrawn suddenly from the earth today, most of the church's work would continue unabated. (19)

Acknowledging that God has the right to refuse a specific prayer need not indicate a lack of faith, as some suppose. It may simply indicate respect for God's authority *(Gen 18:27, 30, 32).

A comparison of Paul's various gift lists (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:28; 12:29-30; 13:1-2, 8-9; Eph 4:11 see also 1 Peter 4:10-11) demonstrates that his lists are ad hoc – – that is, he's making them up on the spot – – and vary considerably.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book! Thoughtfully written, biblically grounded, theologically generous, and irenic in nature. Keener is strong in his convictions and in his theological conclusions but does so in a manner of grace that is desperately needed in the church. A helpful book that seeks to encourage the pursuit of the Giver and the desiring of the gifts while acknowledging and warning of potential abuses. We must aim for love and unity in the Body of Christ.

[William Chamberlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keener's research on the Holy Spirit adds some great insights to any leader in the church today. This book will go on my shelf as a very good resource for future teachings and sermons on the Holy Spirit.

[Jeremiah P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it. You won't regret it.