Canaletto, Warwick Castle, the East Front (1752)
PhD Edit
Pneumatology
Pneumatology is the aspect of Christian doctrine dealing with the Holy Spirit. The word comes from the Greek words pneuma (πνεῦμα) and is defined as ‘A current of air, breath, a spirit, vital principle, mental disposition, ghost, life, spirit, mind.’ Strong (1890)(1986: 78). Breath or spirit. Browning (1997: 298). As spirit. Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 185). And logos (λόγος) defined as Word, reason or meaning. Browning (1997: 230). Logos is also noted as ‘something said’ and ‘the divine expression’ in general terms. Strong (1890)(1986: 59). Pneumatology discusses the divine person and work of the Holy Spirit, including its work in human salvation. The Holy Spirit, provides persons with the ability to know Christ, that was previously unknown. The Spirit speaks as the authority concerning Christ, and this is done freely by human beings through a gift of the Spirit. Williams (2007: 120).
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit possess one divine essence and nature. The Holy Spirit played a key part in the transformation of persons into Christian believers. It is in fact an aspect of God’s participating in his creation and human salvation. It proceeds from the Father and the Son, and is the supreme agent of grace. Whale (1958: 124). In the context of salvation. Calvin suggests outward human preaching ‘strikes only the ears’ while the inward instruction of the Holy Spirit is how a person is enlightened in Christ. Calvin (1543)(1996: 233). Human preaching is valuable in that it works at times in conjunction with the Holy Spirit transforming individuals. Calvin (1543)(1996: 233). The Holy Spirit works directly upon a human mind, in a sense remaking a person and creating a person after the image of Christ. Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 171).
Within Reformed thought the Holy Spirit definitively relates to the Biblical, Scriptural witness. Weber (1955)(1981: 228). Lindsell (1976: 30). The presentation of Biblical witnesses is considered to exist by the virtue of the work of the Spirit and this legitimizes the Scripture as God’s word. Weber (1955)(1981: 229). This is a doctrine of Biblical inspiration as the Holy Spirit testifies through the witness of Biblical writers. Weber (1955)(1981: 229). Inspiration is supernatural divine influence from the Holy Spirit upon the writers of Scripture. The Biblical writers were reasoned to somehow be part of a miraculous procedure. Weber (1955)(1981: 230).
Thiessen dismisses the idea of a dictation theory of Scriptural inspiration, as the writers of Scripture were not persons that merely had divine information dictated to them. Thiessen (1956: 106). The writers of Scripture were not ‘mere secretaries’ that wrote words dictated to them by the Holy Spirit. Lindsell (1976: 32). It can therefore be reasoned it is not the Holy Spirit’s grammar being used. Thiessen (1956: 106). The distinctive style of Biblical writers based on the study of original languages makes the dictation theory quite unlikely. Erickson (1994: 207). The concept of Biblical inspiration, with the Holy Spirit serving as guidance for the Biblical writer, seems both orthodox and reasonable. The Biblical authors had full use of their intellect and used their own grammar, but were guided to write God’s word without error and omission. Thiessen (1956: 106). Shedd names this basic theory of Biblical inspiration as ‘plenary inspiration’ meaning writers were moved by the Holy Spirit in respect to thought and language and were kept from error. Shedd (1874-1890)(1980: 72 Volume 1). Modern theology needs to correctly discern what the Spirit is stating through the Bible and this needs to be done through proper research techniques.
John Murray (1937-1966)(1977) explains that the Holy Spirit ‘summons men into union and fellowship with his Son so that, united to him in whom all spiritual blessings are treasured, they come to posses Christ and all that belongs to him in his capacity as Saviour and Redeemer.’ Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 167). Elected people are summoned. Regeneration takes place which is a powerful change in the human being via the Holy Spirit, which transforms one corrupt and in sin in opposition to God, to one pleasing to God and trusting in God. It is a new ‘vital principle, a new habit, the law of God, and a divine nature’ are framed in a human heart. Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 172). Herman Bavinck (1918)(2006) equates the term regeneration with rebirth. Bavinck (1918)(2006: 46). In John 3, Jesus does not literally speak of one being born a second time, but literally insists one be born from above. Bavinck (1918)(2006: 46). Regeneration consists of a person being converted from a life of giving in to temptation to one living in relationship with God. At the instance of regeneration the Holy Spirit begins a new inclination within the fallen human will. Shedd (1874-1890)(1980: 136 Volume 2). The human being is given a divine inclination, not of self, as it is contrary to the his or her fallen inclination, by the Holy Spirit. Shedd (1874-1890)(1980: 136 Volume 2). Within Reformed theology, regeneration is viewed as an initial one time act of the Holy Spirit in a person, and a person is therefore understood to be converted and therefore able to freely believe. Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 172).
My view is that it is indeed God’s choice alone to regenerate and therefore he alone is active in regeneration, but simultaneously as a person is regenerated they believe in Christ. Therefore although I view God as the initiator of regeneration I reason that logically, in order to avoid any suggestion of force or coercion, as God regenerates the saved person, he or she simultaneously believes. There is ‘no compulsion of the will in regeneration.’ states Shedd. Shedd (1874-1890)(1980: 136-137 Volume 2). Calvin reasons that a person is not forced or coerced to believe in the gospel. Calvin (1543)(1996: 68). I would view conversion as taking place simultaneously with regeneration in a person, although again I state that God alone via the Holy Spirit causes the regeneration process. Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 172). This means as God chooses to regenerate a person he simultaneously persuades one to freely believe. Murray states that regeneration is logically antecedent to any conscious response, and I reason that God’s choice to commit the act of regeneration must be antecedent due to the corrupt and sinful nature of persons. Murray (1937-1966)(1977: 168-169). The work of salvation was confined to God’s part in the calling. Bavinck (1918)(2006: 53). This does not prohibit God from causing a compatibilistic human choice within conversion at the moment that God’s initial eternal choice to regenerate becomes a divine act of regeneration. As persons were regenerated they would hear the call of salvation, repent and believe in Christ. I would view conversion as an aspect of regeneration, which is the beginning of the Christian experience.
BAVINCK, HERMAN (1918)(2006) Reformed Dogmatics Volume 2: God and Creation, John Bolt (gen.ed.), Translated by John Vriend, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
BAVINCK, HERMAN (1918)(2006) Reformed Dogmatics Volume 3: Sin and Salvation in Christ, John Bolt (gen.ed.), Translated by John Vriend, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Dictionary of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
LINDSELL, HAROLD (1976) The Battle for the Bible, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
MURRAY, JOHN (1937-1966)(1977) Collected Writings of John Murray, Vol. 2: Select Lectures in Systematic Theology, Edinburgh, The Banner of Truth Trust.
SHEDD, WILLIAM G.T. (1874-1890)(1980) Dogmatic Theology, Volumes 1 and 2, Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
STRONG, J. (1986) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Pickering, Ontario, Welch Publishing Company.
THIESSEN, HENRY C. (1956) Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, Grand Rapids, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
WEBER, OTTO (1955)(1981) Foundations of Dogmatics, Volumes 1 and 2, Translated and annotated by Darrell L. Guder, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
WHALE, J.S. (1958) Christian Doctrine, Glasgow, Fontana Books.
WILLIAMS, ROWAN (2007) Wrestling with Angels, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids.
Abstract: This is just outside where I live.
Propaganda posters account for quite a bit of my traffic on this blog. Here are some more.
Please note: I am a moderate conservative and I am not a communist or fascist. I am against totalitarian government. I present these posters for educational and artistic purposes.
Soviet Posters 176
February 23 Day of the Soviet Army and Navy GLORY! V.Volikov 1963
Soviet Posters 232
Agitation poster (stencilled) V. Briskin 1958
Red Iceberg
A 1960 comic book cover.
Laughing Squid WWIII
By Brian Moore
Brian Moore
WWII
By Siebel 1942
WWII
Office of War Information 1943
WWI
US Bonds
WWI
US Bonds
