French Arrington: Encountering the Holy Spirit
“Arrington’s new book is one I would heartily recommend to any Pentecostal or charismatic believer who desires to gain a more complete understanding of how the Spirit works in the life of the Christian and the church.”
The only two criticisms I would offer are not really criticisms, but observations. First, I felt that Arrington’s apologetics of the Pentecostal theology of the baptism of the Spirit could have been filled out more (especially in a volume dedicated to describing the work of the Holy Spirit). As a Pentecostal reading the book, I found myself developing unanswered questions that a non-Pentecostal may also have in mind. (However, I do recognize that Arrington’s book is not meant to be an exclusively apologetic work, but rather a systematic introduction to the work of the Spirit. Perhaps he may consider a more defensive work in the future.)
Second, his chapter on the personal testimonies of individuals could have been shortened, while still possessing the same edifying qualities. His desire to present multiple testimonies for the various works of the Spirit resulted in some seemingly repetitive and redundant stories. Perhaps giving one testimony for each work of the Spirit may have been a possibility for consideration in preparing this chapter.
All in all, Arrington’s new book is one I would heartily recommend to any Pentecostal or charismatic believer who desires to gain a more complete understanding of how the Spirit works in the life of the Christian and the church. I pray that Brother Arrington continues to be used by the same Spirit for years to come in providing us with wonderfully edifying works.
Reviewed by Mike Knowles.
Category: Spirit, Summer 2004
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