Getting Real: Pneumatological Realism and the Spiritual Moral and Ministry Formation of Contemporary Christians

Some reputable sociological research indicates that a surprising number of evangelical churchgoers are living out a version of the Christian life thats more informed by the values of the surrounding culture than by the discipleship teachings of Jesus and his apostles. Viewing the cause of this disturbing trend in the church to be a discipleship deficit thats exacerbated by a pneumatological deficit Gary Tyra has written a book that addresses both. In this work Tyra encourages evangelical Christians of all stripes to become more fully aware of the tremendous difference it makes when the Holy Spirit is experienced in ways that are real and existentially impactful rather than merely theoretical conceptual and/or ritualistic. Intended to be read by church leaders as well as by students in Christian colleges and seminaries the message here is that the cure for the ministry malady currently confronting us is the recovery of a robust fully Trinitarian doctrine of the Spirit. A pneumatological realism says Tyra combined with an understanding of just how important a spiritual moral and missional faithfulness is to a genuine Christian discipleship can revitalize the lives of individual Christians and churches making it possible for them to reach their post-Christian peers for Christ! Back Cover: In this well-written volume Gary weaves together the themes of discipleship missional thinking and the Holy Spirit to come up with a book that will serve to strengthen the church and enhance our witness to Jesus and his kingdom. --Alan Hirsch Author of The Forgotten Ways 5Q and Untamed Once again Gary Tyra has delivered the goods! His long experience as a pastor and the years he has spent teaching university students have led to this significant work. He calls us to anticipate a life-transforming encounter with the triune God through the Holy Spirit. --Cecil M. Robeck Jr. Senior Professor of Church History and Ecumenics A superb pastoral theology--theologically and biblical informed but accessible and geared toward ministry leaders. Tyra contends that the tangible experience of the Holy Spirit can renew the church from the vacuous moralistic deism and cultural Christianity so widespread in contemporary North America. --Steve Studebaker Associate Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology Gary Tyra has given us a timely treatise to effectively address a great need in the Church today--a theological reflection that will undoubtedly stimulate the disciplined mind of academia while being practical from a wealth of pastoral experiences . . . It would be a great addition to the library of the serious student of Gods Word. --Dan deLeon Senior Pastor at Templo Calvario Church Inside Cover: Pastor-Theologian Gary Tyra encourages a real dependence on the Holy Spirit to produce fully formed disciples--for mission morality and spirituality. He pushes back against pastoral practice that inadvertently fails to seek the presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the care of souls. --Bill Dogterom Professor of Pastoral Ministries and Spiritual Formation Gary Tyra has written a perceptive instructive and much-needed clarion call to leaders of the theological academy and of the church . . . Getting Real does path-clearing prolegomenon kind of work for pastors and theologians alike as they seek to root and nurture a faithful moral-spiritual formation and maturation of Jesus whole-life learners. --Joseph E. Gorra Co-author of A Reasonable Response: Answers to Tough Questions on God Christianity and the Bible I think the church in North America today is entering into the age of the Holy Spirit. It is a time when we must learn to engage in listen to and experience the life and ministry of the Spirit in new and concrete ways. This book provides important theological and practical guidance to the church in this new age. It is very much attuned to what God is doing in the churc