The Spirit of Truth: Reading Scripture and Constructing Theology with the Holy Spirit

Among the theological loci pneumatology is one of the most stimulating, exciting, and difficult topics to study; it is also one of the most rewarding. The identity and mission of the Holy Spirit is pervasive throughout Scripture and the Great Tradition, and within contemporary Christianity it is one of the most popular topics currently being explored. Here ten scholars present twelve essays spanning biblical, hermeneutical, theological, and practical disciplines. The result is not an evangelical pneumatology in systematic fashion, nor is it a comprehensive theology of the Holy Spirit. Rather, this volume presents explorations in pneumatology from a variety of evangelical scholars working in varying contexts (mostly the South Pacific basin) but each wrestling equally with what the Spirit of Truth is saying to the churches today. This is a work of outstanding scholarship with essays by Canadian theologian Gary Badcock and a cast of established and emerging Kiwi- or New Zealand-theologians, which gives the work a unique contextual flavor alongside its ecumenical and evangelical commitment.

"This `pneumatology from below'-not in the methodological but in the geographical sense: from New Zealand---extends the contemporary renaissance of the discussion on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit across the theological loci and disciplines. A veritable pneumatological contribution indeed by Myk Habets and his colleagues from Down Under."---Amos Yong J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology Regent University

"There has been a resurgence of interest in the Holy Spirit in recent years and this wide-ranging book edited by Myk Habets, who is quickly becoming a major contributor to discussions of the Spirit in contemporary theology, offers reflections that are profoundly theological and sometimes provocatively challenging but always helpful in pushing theologians to think more precisely about the pneumatological dimensions of theology."---Paul D. Molnar Professor of Systematic Theology St. John's University, New York

"The theology of the Holy Spirit has undergone something of a renaissance in recent times: this collection reflects a valuable contribution to that cause. These are stimulating essays on a range of vital topics in biblical, dogmatic, and practical pneumatology---scripturally responsible, historically informed, and justly conscious of the potentially transformative significance of their theme for Christian existence in the world."---Ivor J. Davidson Professor of Systematic & Historical Theology University of St. Andrews

MYK Habets is Director of the RJ. Thompson Centre for Theological Studies, Carey Baptist College, New Zealand. He is the author of Theosis in the Theology of Thomas Torrance (2009), and Towards the Recovery of Spirit Christology (Pickwick, 2010).