Resources on The Holy Spirit

Mike Leake

A good friend asked me a few days ago to give him a recommended list of books on the Holy Spirit. I had to confess that my reading has been somewhat sparse. It seems that most books that would be filed under Pneumatology (the study of the Spirit) deal more with controversy than actually positively addressing the Spirit. To really get books like that you have to go back about a hundred years before the Pentecostal-type excesses. 

I figure that my friend isn’t the only one that would benefit from such a list. So I’ve tweaked it for your benefit. I will organize it by older books on the Spirit, newer books on the Spirit, and finally controversial issues related to the Spirit. Note: some of these books I have skimmed, some I’ve read thoroughly, others I’m only recommending based upon others I trust.

Older Books:

The Works of John Owen Volume 3 by John Owen. There is a Puritan Paperback called The Holy Spirit that is really beneficial as well. But why not try to snag a copy of Volume 3 from his works and get everything he has written on the topic. Be aware that while this is perhaps the best work on the Spirit it is from John Owen, who can be a bear to read.

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit by George Smeaton. I’ve never read Smeaton but this one comes highly recommended from people that I trust.

The Work of the Holy Spirit by Abraham Kuyper. I haven’t read this particular book by Kuyper but what I have read of him I have found balanced and helpful. I assume (and other’s have noted) that this is a good book on the Spirit.

The Works of Thomas Goodwin Volume 6 by Thomas Goodwin. Again, I haven’t read this particular volume but Goodwin is one of my favorite Puritans. I have this book in my wishlist (with Goodwin’s other works) and hope to purchase it soon.

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit by B.B. Warfield. Warfield is a theological stud. His works are impressive. This will read more like a text book but it is beneficial nonetheless.

If you have Calvin’s Institutes he has some pretty good stuff in there. Just scan the index for the Spirit.

Newer Books:

The Holy Spirit by Sinclair Ferguson. A great summary of the doctrine of the Spirit. It is weighty but also very accessible.

The Forgotten God by Francis Chan. Many people raved about Chan’s book on the Spirit. Personally I thought it seemed like a really awesome looking plane that made a great amount of noise but never really got off the ground. But that’s just me. You might like it. Reading this book will probably make you consult a list like this. It makes you want to know the Spirit more but it doesn’t deliver in doing such.

The Mystery of the Holy Spirit by R.C. Sproul. I have not read this but need to. Sproul is a great teacher. I’d assume this book wouldn’t be any different than his other excellent resources.

Anointed with the Spirit and Power: The Holy Spirit’s Empowering Presence by John D. Harvey. This is one of THE things that is the work of the Spirit. Yet, sadly many books on the topic are concerned with other issues. John Harvey is helpful in this regard.

Issues Related to the Spirit:

Keep in Step with the Spirit by J.I. Packer. This could easily have been in the second list, but I put it here for his section outlining the dangers of Keswick theology’s view of the Spirit and sanctification.

Showing the Spirit by D.A. Carson. This is Carson’s exposition of 1 Corinthians 12-14 and it is a must-have piece on the role of spiritual gifts in the life of the church.

The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts by Sam Storms. Storms is a continuationist and this is a helpful defense. He is balanced and thorough. Looks like it will be updated in 2013.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit by James DG Dunn. Dunn is a quality scholar. This book is written on a more scholarly level but it’s a must-read for issues related to baptism of the Spirit. (Also check out Stott’s book on Baptism and Fullness of the Spirit for a less ivory tower approach).

Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? 4 Views by Grudem, Gaffin Jr., Saucy, Storms. I love these 4 views books. I haven’t read this one but I have read the positions of Grudem and Storms and I think this would be a great introductory book for issues related to the miraculous gifts.

What if I can only get three books: Get Ferguson, Packer, and Owen.

What if I can only get one book: Get Ferguson.

There are many more that I could have listed. Any major books I left off the list that you would recommend?

Why I Use the ESV

Mike Leake

It’s the New Year. People are beginning Bible reading plans afresh. In order to get motivated for a new start, some people like to buy new Bibles and/or use new translations for their Bible reading plan. If that is you allow me to suggest you use the ESV in 2013. (This also serves as an answer to the frequent question I get; which Bible should I use).

When I explain to people why I believe the ESV is the most helpful English translation I use a little illustration. If I had this chart hand I would use it too:

I say if the NASB (New American Standard Bible) had a child with the NIV (New International Version) and the kid was more like it’s dad than it’s mom it would be the ESV. What I mean by this is that it takes the best of the father (word-for-word faithfulness) but is less wooden and reads more like it’s mother.

I love the NASB for it’s faithfulness to the biblical text. Seldom when I am really going in depth in a Bible study will I say, “I think the NASB is way off here”. But it doesn’t translate well. It’s more difficult to preach with and to memorize. In my opinion it is too wooden of a translation. It misses some of the idioms.

The NIV (and also the NLT) is very easy to preach and memorize. It makes for a much easier read. But there are quite a few times that I will shake my head at what the NIV did with a text. That is not to say that you cannot trust your NIV Bible if that is what you use. There isn’t anything that will make you think that Jesus’ name was Clem and the gospel message is a guide to following a comet into another world. It’s faithful—but not as faithful to the original word-for-word as I would prefer.

So, I like their child—the ESV. In my mind it takes the best of both worlds.

“What about the HCSB?” (Holman Christian Standard), my SBC friends with a suit will ask. I like the HCSB. And if I were going to share the same illustration I would say that if the NASB and the NIV had a baby and the child was more like it’s mother but still had prominent characteristics of the father it’d be the HCSB. At the end of the day I prefer the ESV because I’m not a fan of momma’s boys*.

So pick up a copy of an ESV. Or get their tremendous Study Bible and get to reading in 2013.

—

*I think I just sacrificed any shot at ever holding a position within the SBC by calling the HCSB a “momma’s boy”.

Today in Blogworld 01.01.13

Mike Leake

Happy 2013!

Long Sustained Usefulness in Ministry: The Story of William Jay

As a history nerd I love hearing snippets of Christian history and meeting people that I have never really been exposed to before. Zack Eswine provides a quick summary of the ministry of William Jay with a few helpful lessons we can learn.

Gospel-Centered Expectations

“The nature of your expectations will have direct impact on your receptivity of future grace.” Tim Brister explains…

Top 25 posts of 2012

Or you could also call this 25 of the best articles from one of the best blogs. DG has posted their 25 best posts of 2012. Read through them today if you get a chance.

Lessons on Teaching

I’ve mentioned on more than one occasion that Dr. Plummer is one of my favorite professors at Southern. I was excited to see that David Gunner Gunderson had Dr. Plummer answer a few questions about teaching. These are helpful. (HT: Patrick Schreiner)

I think this is serious. In case you didn’t know this isn’t a very fair representation of Calvinism or even John Calvin:

An Idiots Guide to Week 17 #NFL Predictions

Mike Leake

It’s week 17. Only a couple of games matter. But I’m still dedicated to helping you look amazing in your bold NFL predictions. These are the teams to pick in week 17.

Falcons over Bucs
Jets over Bills
Bengals over Ravens
Lions over Bears
Titans over Jags
Colts over Texans
Saints over Panthers
Giants over Eagles
Steelers over Browns
Broncos over Chiefs (I want to pick an upset)
Packers over Vikings
Patriots over Dolphins
Raiders over Chargers
49ers over Cardinals (OT)
Rams over Seahawks (upset of the week)
Redskins over Cowboys

Other Crazy Picks:

No record for AP. In fact he’s almost 100 yards short.
The Browns only manage 125 total yards and get blown out
Big day for Eli and Victor Cruz
Poor day for Romo, key turnover leads to RGIII game winning TD
Megatron goes for 12/225/2
Mark Sanchez looks like he wants his job back
I want to pick a Cardinals upset (it will either be a blowout or OT).
4 turnovers for Russell Wilson
Chris Johnson scampers for 200 yards.
Tom Brady gets hurt.  (Or one of the big starting QB’s)