scholarly journals A holistic view of the Holy Spirit as agent of ethical responsibility: This view experienced as exciting in Romans 8, but alarming in 1 Corinthians 12

1991 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Vledder ◽  
A. G. Van Aarde

Modern man experiences a crisis which manifests itself across a wide spectrum: ecologically, sociologically and politically. Seen from a holistic perspective, this crisis, caused by the so-called mechanical worldview, calls for a radical change to a new worldview, the so-called postmodern or holistic view. In ecumenical theology, emphasis is also laid on the world in crisis, which calls for renewal on the same levels as in holistic thought. This change and renewal is to be brought about by the Holy Spirit, who is the agent of change in thought, and of involvement in creating a ‘new creation’. It will be argued that the Holy Spirit is indeed involved as the agent of man’s ethical responsibility; in Romans 8:1-17 this is seen as exciting, but, in 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, the alarming danger in ecumenical pneumatology is indicated.

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Carwardine

The early decades of the nineteenth century saw the emergence in American Calvinist churches of a new brand of religious revivalism. Energetic evangelicals successfully challenged the authority of a Calvinist theology which had seemed to emphasise the exclusiveness of the elect, and man's helplessness and inability to act in securing his own conversion. These evangelicals adopted a revivalism which, in contrast, reminded man of his responsibility and power, and which experimented with means to win converts that conservative evangelicals thought an affront to the operations of the Holy Spirit. The ‘new measures’, as they were called, included more direct preaching, often by revivalists who itinerated solely to stir churches and win converts, the ‘protracting’ of services over several days or weeks, and the ‘anxious seat’—the use of a special pew at the front of the congregation where those concerned for their spiritual state could go to be exhorted and prayed for, and where a public commitment might be expected. These measures—and the ‘New Divinity’ which gave them theological justification—became increasingly widespread during the 1820s and 1830s, the climax of the ‘Second Great Awakening’. In large part the impetus for change had come from the rapidly-growing Methodists, Arminian in theology and determined exponents of a high-pressure revivalism; but within the Calvinist churches the single most influential agent of change was the ‘high priest’ of revivalism, Charles Grandison Finney.


1998 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Wright

A TRANSFORMATIVE THEOLOGY of Christian education is defended against reconstructionist alternatives. Any authentic theology of education should be grounded in the ontic reality of the divine economy of salvation. Though important, noetic questions of theological epistemology, together with pragmatic issues of pedagogic strategy, are not to be taken as foundational. Certain traits of Lutheran theology lend superficial support to a reconstructionist theology, but only at the expense of introducing a crippling dualism between faith and creation. The Biblical picture of the completion of the new covenant and new creation through the work of the Holy Spirit lends strong support to a transformative theology.


Author(s):  
Isaac Boaheng

This article focuses on Paul’s teachings on how the believer’s life in the Spirit contrasts the believer’s previous life of sin, with particular reference to Romans 8:1-8. It first employed the exegetical method—comprising contextual analysis, literary analysis, detailed analysis of lexicology (the meaning of words), morphology (the form of words), grammatical function of words (parts of speech), syntax (the relationships of words) and figures of speech—to explore the text. The next step was a systematic theological formulation of pneumatological-ecclesiology based on the results from the exegetical study of the text. The main argument is that the Spirit applies Christ’s salvific work to the believer in a way that does not only put the believer right forensically but also puts him/her right behaviorally. Thus, the believer walking in the Spirit is both justified by the cross and by good deeds performed through the enabling presence of the Spirit. The article contributes to the academic disciplines of systematic theology and biblical studies by exploring what pneumatological-ecclesiology is embedded in the text and applying this formulated theology to the life of the contemporary church, drawing attention to the fact that since the Holy Spirit breathes upon and through the church, the activities of the Spirit in the church should be the plumb line for assessing the nature and conduct of the church. This contribution serves as an effective tool for enhancing ethical and religious renewals in believers in a way that eventually enhances their relationship with God, other humans and the environment. Keywords: Death, Flesh, Law, Spirit


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-29
Author(s):  
Fatony Pranoto ◽  
Ivonne Eliawaty ◽  
Surja Permana

Pastoral service is a spiritual service and should not be ignored in the pastoral ministry. At GBI the Jordan River Surabaya has provided several models of material services: Money / goods to help congregations in need; Spiritually: introducing people to Jesus Christ and to life in the Holy Spirit or led by the Spirit, new born life becomes a new creation (not only identity / without repentance; Healing: making others healthy, both physical, mental and emotional as well as; Prophetic: changing the way of human life in the structure of society. Improve people’s way of life (especially in rural areas).


Author(s):  
Cecil M. Robeck

This chapter traces Pentecostal and related congregations, churches, denominations, and organizations that stem from the beginning of the twentieth century. They identify with activities at Pentecost described in Acts 2 and in the exercise of charisms in 1 Corinthians 12–14. Each of them highlights is the significance of a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit leading to a transformed life. These often interrelated organizations and movements have brought great vitality to the Church worldwide for over one hundred years, and together, they constitute as much as 25 per cent of the world’s Christians. This form of spirituality is unique over the past 500 years, since it may be found in virtually every historic Christian family/tradition, and in most churches of the twenty-first century.


2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Campbell-Lane ◽  
G. A. Lotter

The aim of this article is to establish what perspectives exist on inner change within the “Corpus Paulinum” and how it should be applied in pastoral counselling. The Scriptural guidelines of change that will be examined for the purposes of this article, are found in the following references: Ephesians 4:22-24, Colos- sians 3:8-10, and Romans 12:1-2. The work of the Holy Spirit as “Agent of change” will also be discussed and finally some pointers on inner change and the implications for pastoral counselling will be proposed.


2004 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
B.J. De Klerk

Pneumatological hymns: Basis-theoretical perspectives (according to Romans 8:1-21) and empirical facts In this article Romans 8:1-27 is investigated in order to trace basis-theoretical perspectives on pneumatological hymns and to determine empirically the scope and nature of pneumatological hymns in Psalmboek, Liedboek van die Kerk and Psalter Hymnal. The basis-theoretical investigation reveals that there is a pressing need for appropriate Scriptural hymns on the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. Characteristics and functions of the Spirit that are essential to the church and her creeds are not found in current versifications of certain parts of Scripture. New hymns on the Person and work of the Spirit can preserve and breathe new life into creeds on the Holy Spirit, protect the congregation against fallacies and touch the hearts of doubters and unbelievers in a unique way. From the empirical facts an idea is formed of the state of affairs regarding the hymnology on the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. An investigation into themes on the Person and work of the Spirit not present in current Scriptural hymns also leads to the conclusion that there is scope for new Scriptural hymns.


2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-344
Author(s):  
Daniel Munteanu

AbstractOne of the most important contributions of Orthodox theology to ecotheology consists in its understanding of matter as an expression of the divine rationality. The logoi of the world are connected with the divine Logos and have an inner aspiration towards communion with God. Maximus Confessor’s view of the material world as potential church leads to a cosmic ecclesiology with direct significance for the overcoming of our contemporary ecological crisis. His theology of creatio originalis and of the new creation as transfigurated universe allows us to speak about the theological dignity of matter as the ‘home of God’, as well as a field of dialogue between creator and human beings. The Orthodox spirituality, as spirituality of theosis, of the transfiguration of matter through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is deeply ecological and, at the same time a source for a culture of healing communication, dialogue, love and respect of the ecosystems as expression of God’s rationality.


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