The Spirit Driven Church: Signs of God's Graceful Presence

Must the church be either charismatic or sacramental? In this book Terje Hegertun argues that she has the privilege of being both. The Day of Pentecost formed her identity and shaped her conviction of being lifted on the arms of grace and pushed forward by the power from on high. In the midst of her vulnerability and failure the worldwide faith community is a composition of the Spirit. One of the greatest gifts the church may offer the world is simply to be church: a charismatic-sacramental fellowship a dwelling place of Gods Spirit. A church nurtured by graceful charismatic and sacramental gifts fosters a mature congregational spirituality distinguished by hospitable relations. Thus the Spirit of God plays the main role of being the comprehensive principle of Christian unity across denominational lines. Professor Terje Hegertun comes to the task of constructing a pneumatological ecclesiology exceptionally well-qualified. A life-long Pentecostal minister and theologian he is also fully conversant with Protestant Catholic and Orthodox traditions. Drinking from deep ecumenical wells of spirituality and theological insight he presents to us a fresh and compelling account of The Spirit Driven Church. --Veli-Matti Karkkainen Fuller Theological Seminary In this rich study Terje Hegertun convincingly argues for the Spirits central role in all aspects of the churchs life. Speaking from a Pentecostal background his work is genuinely ecumenical bringing together voices from different traditions in a fruitful interpretation and application of the biblical message of the Holy Spirit. --Harald Hegstad MF Norwegian School of Theology Hegertun offers us an impressively rich exploration of the church as constituted by the Spirit and therefore as an ongoing gift of the Triune God. This is an exciting contribution to ecumenical ecclesiology! --Frank D. Macchia Vanguard University Terje Hegertun is professor of Systematic Theology at MF Norwegian School of Theology Oslo Norway.