1 Theological Synopsis: Number Three Topic: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit Megan Friend Systematic Theology BR415 Dr. Kent Eilers 18 October 2013
2 Doctrine of Holy Spirit: The Works Scripture The Holy Spirit is in and throughout the Scripture. There are many passages that discuss the Spirit s specific works in and throughout God s creation. The Spirit is active and is the mediator between God and his creation. The Spirit would speak on God s behalf through the prophets, to inform others about what God wants them to hear (Ezekiel 11:1 5). The Spirit gives power and is power through God (Micah 3:8). Transitioning into the New Testament, John describes the Spirit as our advocate that is within us. The Spirit guides and teaches us in Christ s place, for God. He also assisted the writers of Scripture to write the truth and remember what they had witnessed with Christ (John 14:15 31). Again, we see in John that the Spirit convicts and guides us to the truth. He proves to us what Christ taught the disciples. He is the light and understanding to what Christ has told us (John 16:1 15). In Romans, Paul writes that the Spirit is intercessory, our advocate on God s behalf. The Spirit is pulling us back to the Father (Romans 8:18 30). Paul informs us that the Spirit is entirely necessary to understand and believe the wisdom of the Gospel. The Spirit reveals to us the wisdom of God and the knowledge about God (1 Corinthians 2:6 16). Our spiritual gifts are given to us by the Spirit for God s working in his kingdom. All of these spiritual gifts are from the same Spirit and are used for the good of the whole body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:1 11). In 2 Corinthians, Paul describes the Spirit as an agent that transforms us to be more Christ like and removes obstacles for us. When the Spirit is at work, God s glory will shine through (2 Corinthians 3:12 18). The Scripture is a part of the Spirit of the Lord to train us and to help us to be properly prepared to teach it to others (2 Timothy 3:10 17). Theologians: Grenz, Horton, Bloesch Grenz Stanley J. Grenz first discusses the Holy Spirit in light of creation and God s creative action. He states, the Spirit mediates the universal presence of God to his creatures (p. 362). Grenz then takes a look into the Holy Spirit s work in the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit fulfills the function
3 in creation and within creation, in comparison with Horton and Bloesch. The Spirit is the agent of God s creative work and the one by whom God sustains the world (p. 363). The Spirit is the source and renewal of life. One specific work of the Holy Spirit that Grenz looks at is how the Spirit mediates to the prophets on behalf of God. He provides resources to help the prophets fulfill the tasks that God ordained to them. Grenz then transitions into the Spirit s function in Christ s ministry and mission. The Spirit anointed Christ to preach, proclaim, recover and release the broken, lost, and poor. In this, the Spirit provided Christ with guidance and power in his mission. The Spirit is also a mediator for Christ s ongoing ministry (p. 365 367). Similar to Bloesch, the Spirit empowered the disciples and empowers us now to teach and continue the ongoing ministry of Christ. Grenz then leads us into the works of the Spirit in the church and community. In comparison to Horton and Bloesch, Grenz discusses the works of the Spirit in Scripture. The Spirit chooses to speak through Scripture, and he illuminates it. He continues to speak to us from the Scripture. The Spirit inspired the writers to write these truths that are from God (p. 383). Finally, Grenz takes a peek into the Spirit s function in sanctification. Similarly to Bloesch, the Spirit sanctifies us and fosters Christ s likeness in us. He provides the necessary power to overcome temptation and sin (p. 444). Horton Michael Horton discusses the works of the Holy Spirit throughout his book, The Christian Faith. One idea Horton looks at is the Spirit creates a new world through the Gospel (p. 655). He also states that all things were created and renewed by the Spirit (p. 553). The Spirit cleanses us by the holiness of Christ and makes us partakers of it. He gives us faith in Jesus and creates faith in our hearts to receive it (p. 157). Horton quotes Calvin on the function of the Spirit and mentions the Spirit grants sinners faith through the Gospel (p. 656). He also discusses how the Spirit works within creation and with creation, which is similar to Bloesch and Grenz. The Spirit breathed Scripture and gives light to its listeners to help them receive it as the Word of God. He also inspired the Scripture (p. 157). Horton also approaches the Spirit on a broad level and states, Though distinct from the Father
4 and Son, the Spirit searches, speaks, testifies, commands, reveals, strives, creates, makes intercession, raises the dead and engages in numerous other activities (p. 277). Some of these works are very similar to what Grenz has to say about the Spirit s works. The Spirit propels creation towards its end goal and orchestrates the unfolding plot of redemption through the Son for God s glory (p. 290, 553, 350). In comparison to Grenz, the Spirit is the mediator between God and us, then us and God. Also similar to Grenz, Horton lays out the works of Spirit in the ministry and mission of Christ. Horton references Calvin another time in the book and states, Wherever goodness, truth, and beauty flourish in this fallen world, it is because the Spirit grants wisdom, health, and other benefits that we do not deserve (p. 556). Calvin also mentions that the Spirit accomplishes Christ s work with us and within us. In comparison to Bloesch, the Spirit is a hearer and speaks whatever he hears (p. 557). The Spirit works throughout the Scripture, Christ s ministry, and us in his ongoing ministry. Bloesch Donald G. Bloesch first considers the Spirit s works as being inseparable with the works and mission of Christ. He states that the Spirit s works are surprising and unexpected and it has many forms (p. 285). One aspect that Grenz and Horton do not mention up front is Bloesch refers to the Spirit s revealing work as a key component to faith and salvation. He reveals the truth of Christ which gives us freedom from the bondage of sin and a terrible death 9p. 285). The Spirit brings life and power to the Scripture. Similar to Grenz and Horton, the Spirit inspires the prophets and apostles in their writings. He is the mediator for the Word of the Lord. Bloesch also states that the Spirit illumines the minds of the readers to view a redemptive knowledge (p. 286). The Spirit guides the church to understand the Gospel the correct way. He gives assurance to the church that if they remain faithful to the truth, they can be empowered by the Spirit to preserve this truth. The Spirit also will speak whatever it hears and declare what is to come, which is similar to Horton (p. 286). The Spirit plays a large part in human creation and creates within us the faculty for receiving this knowledge (p. 286). Bloesch discusses the Spirit enabling us and motivating us to seek God after we have been converted.
5 He gives us a new life and energy and he dwells among us. With that, the Spirit convicts us of sin and empowers us to believe and obey (p. 287). The Spirit consoles us to guide others into truth, teaches us, acts as an agent of rejuvenation, purifies and cleanses of sin and unrighteousness, sanctifies us, empowers us and makes us Christ like and holy (p. 287). These are also very similar to how Horton and Grenz describe the works of the Spirit. Bloesch also discusses the baptism as a part of the Spirit s works and giving us new lives. My Statement After reading and understanding the Scripture, reading these texts and some discussions in class, I believe that the Holy Spirit works in and throughout creation and all of God s creative actions. It is hard to pinpoint the exact works of the Spirit because the Spirit is a part of so much. The Spirit mediates, is active, empowers, fulfills, and much more. I believe the Spirit was active in the work of creation and continues to be active in God s continuing creative actions. I also believe the Spirit was active in Christ and his ministry. The Spirit is a part of Christ s ongoing ministry as well. He guides us into truth so that we may teach the truth to others. He helps us remember what we have been taught by the Word to teach to others. I believe the Spirit is an advocate and mediator on God s behalf. He inspired and illuminated the Scripture on God s behalf. The Spirit brings light and understanding to what the Scripture has taught us. I believe the Spirit brings us back to the Father as much as he brings the Father to us. I also believe the Spirit transforms us to be more Christ like. Doctrine as Direction The doctrine of the Holy Spirit seeks to direct our participation in worship, our relationship with the Creator and the Son, and our communication with the Father. This doctrine, especially when we think about the works of the Spirit, can change how we worship and our desire to want to know more about the Creator and the Trinity. Knowing that the Spirit is our guide and our advocate on behalf of God might make us think more about who we pray to in situations in need of guidance. Who do we
6 pray to? In most situations, we pray to the Father for everything. Do we need to start praying to the Spirit? The Spirit provides and so we need to praise the one who provides. The Spirit was apart of creation and the creative works, so it should lead us into worship with the Spirit, not just the Father. He leads us into a better worship with the Father, so we need to overflow ourselves with the Spirit to worship the Father. The Spirit brings us together in unity and when we worship, we need to remember that we are one body in the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Our worship should be overflowing with praise to all three persons and we should reach out to our brothers and sisters to join with us, to have a collective Amen. Bloesch, Donald G. The Holy Spirit: Works and Gifts. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1971. Grenz, Stanley J. Theology for the Community of God. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2000. Horton, Michael S. The Christian Faith: A Systematic Theology for Pilgrims on the Way. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.