Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 111:443 (Jul 1954)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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BSac 111:443 (Jul 54) p. 261

Book Reviews

The Holy Spirit. By John F. Walvoord. Van Kampen Press, Wheaton, Illinois. 275 pp. $3.50.

Dr. Walvoord, President and Professor of Systematic Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary, indicates that the material of his book has been the basis of his course in Pneumatology. These lectures were published first as a series of articles in Bibliotheca Sacra, beginning in April, 1940, then in book form in 1943 under the title The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit. The present volume is not a mere reprint of the former book. The revisions have been in the way of additional material, elaborations of points formerly obscure, and rearrangement of certain sections and portions. Having carefully read both volumes, the reviewer believes the changes have been warranted and have added to the effectiveness of the work.

The subtitle notes that the book is a comprehensive study of the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. The author fulfills his purpose in treating every facet of this vital doctrine. The book is divided into seven parts and twenty-six chapters, the last being a splendid and discerning condensation of the history of the doctrine. The table of contents alone covers twelve pages. Over 1400 Scripture citations are used and these are not included without relevance. Complementing the Scriptural index is a full topical index. The fine bibliography covers some 100 titles.

Dr. Walvoord divides the Biblical material into six parts: the first treats the Person of the Holy Spirit and the remaining sections deal with the work of the Holy Spirit in chronological sequence from eternity past through the millennial kingdom of Christ. In the first part the personality and undiminished deity of the Holy Spirit are clearly set forth. Then the typology of the Holy Spirit is discussed under nine figures. Since Zechariah 4 is the norm passage for taking oil as a type of the Holy Spirit, it might have been added in pages 21 and 22, although it is found on page 6 of the text.

A fine treatment of the Holy Spirit’s work in the Old Testament—creating, revealing, inspiring, and ministering to man—is found in part three. Here is an emphasis which students will find unusual because lacking in works on this subject. There may be some who will question the relevance of the material in pages

BSac 111:443 (Jul 54) p. 262

32ff, 63, 66–69, and 77 to the Old Testament, since the heading is the work of the Spirit in the Old Testament. The author is justified in his arrangement for the sake of complementing the Old Testament with that of the New, to bring out both the similarities as well as the broadened scope of the New.

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