The Surprising God

This post continues a series presenting "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit" by Dr. Gary Deddo, President of  Grace Communion Seminary . For other posts in the series, click a number:  1 ,  2 , 3 , 4 , 6 ,  7 . In this post, we'll explore the Holy Spirit's ministry viewed corporately (in the church) and personally (in individual lives). Let's start with a question: Why does any group or individual repent instead of hanging on to their self-justifying pride? The answer is that the Holy Spirit is at work in them, though that work is often unseen. Let me explain. The Descent of the Holy Ghost (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) The Spirit's often unseen work We typically do not see the Holy Spirit working in a direct way -- most of his ministry among us is deep and internal, working directly with our human spirits (1 Cor. 2: 9-11). Thus, we don't see the Holy Spirit acting. However, we do see the results. When we're repenting, when we...

This post continues a series presenting "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit" by Dr. Gary Deddo, President of  Grace Communion Seminary . For other posts in the series, click a number:  1 ,  2 , 3 , 5 ,  6 ,  7 . Why say anything about the Holy Spirit beyond simply acknowledging him? One reason is to overcome the tendency to disconnect the three divine Persons. We see this in churches where one Person is emphasized to the near exclusion of the other two. But this fragmented approach trips us up in our faith and in our lived relationship to the Triune God. So, our goal is to have an understanding of the Trinity that is faithful to and coherent with the reality of who God actually is in the fullness of all three divine Persons. Our understanding of the Holy Spirit, and our ability to join more fully in what he is doing, will grow as we view him theologically --in relationship to the Father and the Son. The Holy Spirit by Giaquinto (public domain via Wi...

This post continues a series presenting "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit" by Dr. Gary Deddo, President of Grace Communion Seminary . For other posts in the series, click a number:  1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 . You have probably heard the triune God referred to as  one in three and three in one . Though not incorrect, this statement is easily misunderstood. Why? Because it can sound as if we're saying that God is both three and one of the exact same thing. But that makes no sense. God is not one being and three beings; nor is God one person and three persons. To avoid misunderstandings, it's better to say that the triune God is  one in being and three in divine Persons . Let's explore what this means as we continue this series on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.  Perichoresis (source unknown) Fundamental to the discipl...

This post continues a series presenting "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit," an essay by Dr. Gary Deddo, President of Grace Communion Seminary . For other parts, click a number: 1 ,   3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , 7 . Last time , we noted that every act of God, whether in creation, redemption or bringing about the perfection of creation itself, is done together as one God . But how then are we to understand those places in Scripture that ascribe certain acts of God to one of the divine Persons? Take, for example, the Incarnation. The Father and the Spirit are never said to be incarnate, as is the Son. Note also that the Spirit seems to descend on Pentecost and indwell the believing church in a way distinct from the Son and the Father. The explanation in these two and similar examples is that all three of the divine Persons are involved together in all the acts of God, but often in different (distinct, unique) ways. Holy Trinity (public domain via Wikimedia Comm...

This post begins a series presenting "The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit," an essay by Dr. Gary Deddo, President of Grace Communion Seminary . For other parts, click a number: 2 , 3 , 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 . Seeking to understand and know the Holy Spirit is a wonderful, rewarding endeavor that ties in with every aspect of the Christian faith and life . But if ever there was a topic we are likely never to get to the bottom of, the doctrine of the Holy Spirit would qualify. The very name of this Divine Person, the Holy Spirit, already tells us that we’re in pretty deep. But we do have a good amount of insight given  us in Scripture that can inform our understanding and help us stay away from pure speculation. God has seen fit to reveal himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and has provided and preserved teaching about the Holy Spirit. Because he wants us to know, trust and worship him, we by faith can dare to pursue understanding on that basis. But we procee...

Some mistakenly view salvation as an external, legal transaction . In doing so, they fail to appreciate the full depth, mystery, beauty and glory of all that Jesus is (in his being as the God-man), and all he has and will yet do for our salvation. In Communion with the Triune God , Dick Eugenio helps us understand the full scope of the doctrine of salvation (soteriology) by reviewing what Thomas F. (T.F.) Torrance taught on the topic. Eugenio notes that T.F. was critical of transactional, truncated views of salvation that tend to give priority (or even sole place) to the cross. According to T.F., when it comes to salvation, there is much more to understand than what occurred on Good Friday, as important and central to salvation as that was. For T.F., the biblical account of salvation leads us to view the cross as one part of a larger, integrated whole, though T.F. does emphasize that the cross has a unique, central and distinct significance that other redemptive experiences of Jesus d...