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The Spirit. I believe in the Holy Spirit. Basic Theology, Part 6. Pneumatology: the study of the Spirit. Biblical models of the Holy Spirit. Spirit (Ruach) Wind Breath Charism. Spirit as wind
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The Spirit I believe in the Holy Spirit Basic Theology, Part 6
Pneumatology: the study of the Spirit
Biblical models of the Holy Spirit • Spirit (Ruach) • Wind • Breath • Charism
Spirit as wind Although we don’t want to reduce God to a natural force, this image reminds us of the power and dynamism of the God who had called Israel out of Egypt Here, “ruach” conveys both the power and the redemptive purpose of God God is both judge (east winds which brought fine hot sand) and the one who refreshes the chosen people (west winds which brought rain and coolness Biblical models of the Holy Spirit
Spirit as breath God breathes into Adam the breath of life “Ruach” is often linked with God’s work of creation Biblical models of the Holy Spirit
Spirit as charism Refers to the filling of an individual with the Spirit of God This is understood to enable the individual to perform tasks which would otherwise be impossible Gideon, Samson, Saul, David, etc. Relates to the ability to prophesy A prophet’s credentials rest upon an endowment with the Spirit which authenticates the prophet’s message Biblical models of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit in the New Testament For Paul, the Spirit has been poured out on all believers, and dwells in their hearts The Spirit provides a proof that believers are indeed children of God The Spirit is the source of spiritual gifts in the life of the individual and the church Biblical models of the Holy Spirit
Irenaeus insisted upon the distinct yet related roles of Father, Son, and Spirit within the economy of salvation He affirmed his faith in: God the Father, uncreated The Word of God, the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ The Holy Spirit “In the fullness of time, [the Spirit] was poured out in a new way on our human nature in order to renew humanity throughout the entire world in the sight of God.” Irenaeus on the role of the Holy Spirit
The 2nd Century Church saw the Spirit primarily as God’s means of renewing and restoring human nature, and as the inspiration of prophecy “Word and Spirit” are the two hands of God in creation They often spoke of the Holy Spirit in terms of “wisdom” which binds all things together Irenaeus on the role of the Holy Spirit
For Irenaeus, God brings the created order into being through Jesus Christ Yet he is clear that the Holy Spirit has a role in this process “For the Word and Wisdom, the Son and the Spirit, were always present with [God], by whom and in whom, all things were made Irenaeus on the role of the Holy Spirit
The debate over the divinity of the Holy Spirit • Serious theological debate and discussion regarding the Holy Spirit really didn’t take place during the first 2-3 centuries of the Christian Church • That doesn’t mean it wasn’t important, but rather that there were other things to work out first.
Athanasius and Basil of Caesarea (330-379) made a powerful case for the recognition of the divinity of the Holy Spirit using the baptismal formula Christians were baptized, “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:18-20) Still, many patristics were hesitant to speak openly of the Spirit as God The debate over the divinity of the Holy Spirit
Council of Constantinople Described the Spirit as “the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, and is worshipped and glorified together with the Father and Son The debate over the divinity of the Holy Spirit
The debate over the divinity of the Holy Spirit • 3 Factors in establishing divinity of the Holy Spirit during 4th Century • Scripture applied all the titles of God to the Spirit, with the exception of “unbegotten”
The debate over the divinity of the Holy Spirit • 3 Factors in establishing divinity of the Holy Spirit during 4th Century • The functions which are specific to the Holy Spirit establish the divinity of the Spirit • He is responsible for creating, renewing, and sanctification of God’s creatures
The debate over the divinity of the Holy Spirit • 3 Factors in establishing divinity of the Holy Spirit during 4th Century • The reference to the Spirit in the baptismal formula of the church was interpreted as supporting the divinity of the Spirit
The filioque debate • Nicene Creed • Originally referred to the Spirit “proceeding from the Father.” • By the 9th Century, the western church had unilaterally altered this phrase, speaking of the Holy Spirit “proceeding from the Father and the Son.” • So, what is the difference?
The filioque debate • Greek patristic writers insisted that there was only one source of being within the Trinity • The Father alone is the source of all things • The Son is begotten of the Father • The Spirit proceeds from the Father • Both the Son and Spirit derive from the Father, but in different ways
The filioque debate • Greek patristic writers insisted that there was only one source of being within the Trinity • The Son is the Word of God • The Spirit is the breath of God • Within this context, it is unthinkable that the Holy Spirit should be thought of as proceeding from the Father and the son • This would compromise the principle of the Father as the sole origin and source of all divinity
The filioque debate • Western writers took a different position • Augustine of Hippo • Argued that the Spirit had to be thought of as proceeding from the Father and the Son (double procession) • Cites John 20:22 where Jesus breathes on the disciples and says, “Receive the Holy Spirit”
The filioque debate • “Nor can we say that the Holy Spirit does not also proceed from the Son. After all, the Spirit is said to be the Spirit of both the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit proceeds not only from the Father, but also from the Son” - St. Augustine, On the Trinity
The filioque debate • For Augustine, the Spirit is the “bond of love” between the Father and the Son • The Father is only the Father of the Son, and the Son only the Son of the Father; the Spirit, however, is the Spirit of both Father and Son, binding them together in a bond of love. • The same Spirit is also the bond of unity between God and believers and believers and each other
The filioque debate • Advantages of single procession: • This position avoids “Christomonism,” which limits God’s work of revelation and salvation to Christ • It serves as a defense against dualism, modalism, and subordinationism • It safeguards a panoramic vision of the work and activity of the Spirit
The filioque debate • Advantages of double procession: • Explicit recognition that the Spirit is a personal being rather than an impersonal force • Power or activity • A defense against pantheism and imprecise forms of mysticism • Provides a specific Christological criterion for the evaluation of allegedly “spiritual” phenomena
Basil of Caesarea “Through the Holy Spirit we are restored to paradise, led back to the Kingdom of heaven, adopted as children, given confidence to call God ‘Father’ and to share in Christ’s grace, called children of light, and given a share in eternal glory.” The functions of the Spirit
4 broad areas of the Holy Spirit’s work God’s activity in the world Revelation Salvation The Christian life The functions of the Spirit
God’s active presence in the world The Spirit is seen as active in the world, preparing hearts and minds for an encounter with God The functions of the Spirit
The revelation of God to humanity Irenaeus: “The Holy Spirit, through whom the prophets prophesied, and our forebears learned of God and the righteous were led in the paths of justice.” The task of the Holy Spirit is to lead the faithful into God’s truth This includes the inspiration of Holy Scripture as well as the responsibility of the church to interpret and apply Scripture The functions of the Spirit
The revelation of God to humanity The Spirit is also widely regarded as being involved in the human response to that revelation He also enables us to see beyond the limits of natural human vision The functions of the Spirit
The appropriation of salvation The Holy Spirit plays a critical role in illuminating, healing and enabling humanity to take hold of Christ, and thus benefit from his identity and his work The functions of the Spirit
The appropriation of salvation Belgic Confession of Faith (1561) “We believe that, to attain the true knowledge of this great mystery, the Holy Spirit creates in our hearts an upright faith, which embraces Jesus Christ with all his merits, takes hold of him, and seeks nothing more besides him.” The functions of the Spirit
The energization of the Christian life Brings unity in the church The “making real” of God in personal and corporate worship and devotion The enabling of believers to lead a Christian life, particularly in relation to morality The functions of the Spirit
Dove Appeared as a dove at Jesus’ baptism Dove has been used since 5th Century to represent the Holy Spirit, especially in the context of baptism Symbols of the Spirit
Fire Holy Spirit appears as tongues of fire at Pentecost This symbol is used to show how the Holy Spirit purifies or sanctifies individuals, by burning off impurities Symbols of the Spirit
Oil Oil was used to anoint kings and priests of Israel and was a symbol of divine acceptance or endorsement Symbols of the Spirit