Anthony Thiselton: A Shorter Guide to the Holy Spirit
The “guide” nature of the book is also seen in the massive number of references to other scholars. In a work of 191 pages of content, the index of authors is five, two-column pages. For the reader with a deeper background this will pull a great number of views together. For the reader just undertaking a study of the Holy Spirit, there are many hours of study trails to follow here.
Not only is A Shorter Guide rich in its coverage of academic topic; it is also rich in pastoral content. In the chapter on eschatology Thiselton states:
Sometimes waiting may seem tedious. We may wait for trains, buses, or taxis. Waiting rooms often seem drab, colorless, and static. However, the OT may more positively speak of waiting for God’ timing [author’s emphasis]. In Ps. 39:9, “Those who wait for … the Lord shall inherit the land.” The Psalmist again enjoins, “Wait for the Lord, and keep his way” (37:34). It would be disastrous to preempt God’s timing by impatience (p. 132).
What Sunday sermon is there, dealing with the Christian virtue of patience, into which the pastor could not drop this quote?
This is a volume that deserves a place on the student’s, the pastor’s or the scholar’s book shelf. While not having read the larger volume it is this reviewer’s thought that, even if the larger volume is already purchased, this will provide a quicker, more concise reference.
Reviewed by John K. Crupper
Preview A Shorter Guide: https://books.google.com/books/about/A_Shorter_Guide_to_the_Holy_Spirit.html?id=fIHGCwAAQBAJ
Publisher’s page: http://www.eerdmans.com/Products/7349/a-shorter-guide-to-the-holy-spirit.aspx
Category: Spirit, Winter 2017