The Mystery of the Holy Spirit (Book Review)

R.C. Sproul, The Mystery of the Holy Spirit, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1990, ISBN 0-8423-4378-4, pp. 191, $15.

I picked up this book with a lot of hope, looking for light to understand the Holy Spirit and to be better informed about his role in my life. What I found was a well assimilated theological presentation about the Holy Spirit, written in layman’s terms. The author in his introduction specifically states that the ‘book is written for the serious layperson and seeks to avoid undue theological technicalities.’ Indeed it doesn’t emphasize on the theological technicalities but it sure doesn’t omit them. In fact, the author presents the theology of the Holy Trinity and of the Holy Spirit, to some extent, in simple language. His source is mostly biblical but he does make references to the writings of John Calvin, whose theology he obviously endorses. Nevertheless, he strives to present as catholic a view as possible.
The book consists of 10 chapters. The chapters are short and focused on the theme. The book is highly readable on account of its simple, colloquial language. Even the theology doesn’t seem too heavy or hard to grasp. In fact the author comments, right at the outset, that ‘Some sections will require deep thought. Some probe the abstract because it is unavoidable…’ The author does a contradictory statement as he gets carried away with his argument in an attempt to emphasize a point but I suppose it is forgivable so long as it doesn't really impact the presentation. 

‘Because the Spirit is mysterious, we are vulnerable to superstitions and distortions of His person and work. Here we must listen carefully to Scripture as it reveals to us the character of God the Holy Spirit.’ The book makes you feel like you are in a theology classroom. It is very didactic and makes quite a few noteworthy points. I would recommend this book to every Christian serious about their faith and about knowing the Holy Spirit. Seminarians will benefit a good deal from this book at might learn a thing or two about simplicity while teaching. 

     

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