The Lord Is the Spirit: The Holy Spirit and the Divine Attributes

Synopsis: The Lord is the Spirit (2 Cor 3:17) . . . and yet one might be excused for thinking otherwise when reading studies on Gods attributes--omnipotence omniscience omnipresence immutability impassibility and the like. Although Christians throughout the ages have defended the deity of the Holy Spirit theologians have not adequately taken the doctrine of the Holy Spirit into account when formulating a theology of the divine attributes. The resulting understandings of God fall short of being fully Trinitarian. Gabriel builds on contemporary Trinitarian theology by advocating for the integration of insights from pneumatology into the doctrine of Gods attributes. Three case studies are presented: impassibility immutability and omnipotence. Gabriel writes from an evangelical and Pentecostal vantage point as he engages in ecumenical dialogue with a wide spectrum of historical and contemporary theological voices. Endorsements: Towards the end of a fruitful life Karl Barth sensed the need for a more satisfactory theology of the Holy Spirit. He could not write this work himself nor even indicate its shape but this work by Andrew Gabriel comes reasonably close to doing so and points a way forward. This young Pentecostal scholar lays out a profound vision of the Trinitarian Spirit incorporating some of the fresh thinking which becomes possible when full justice is done to this subject matter. I think it not too rash to see this volume as marking a new phase in the development of Pentecostal systematic theology. --the late Clark H. Pinnock author of Flame of Love Evangelicals in North America are deep into a dialog and controversy concerning the nature and attributes of God sparked in no small part by the openness of God debate. Into this conversation steps a fine young Pentecostal theologian joining a welcome new generation of scholars in the tradition of Azusa Street. Gabriel engages biblical and theological resources on the attributes of God from a fresh perspective one that is Trinitarian but with an emphasis on the Holy Spirit. Theologians of all stripes should take note of and learn from this important new study on the doctrine of God. --Alan G. Padgett author of God Eternity and the Nature of Time Andrew K. Gabriel offers a new critique of classical theisms account of the divine attributes from a Pentecostal pneumatological perspective. Comprehensive in scope Gabriel is as constructive in his proposal as he is critical of the received tradition. Widely read he engages more than the usual suspects and by his own original contribution has permanently enlarged the conversation table at which Pentecostals now sit. --Ralph Del Colle author Christ and the Spirit Author Biography: Andrew K. Gabriel is Assistant Professor of Theology at Horizon College and Seminary an affiliated college of the University of Saskatchewan. He has published a number of articles in journals including Religious Studies and Theology and the Journal of Pentecostal Theology.