Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 19:4 (Winter 1976)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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CenQ 19:4 (Winter 1976) p. 26

Book Reviews

Be Filled With The Spirit by Lehman Strauss (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976, 125 pages, paper $1.50). Reviewed by Professor R. David Barnhart.

This is an excellent, small handbook on Pneumatology for the layman. An underlying reason for writing invalues the layman’s inability to discern the difference between the work of the Holy Spirit and of other “spirits” in their churches. It also aims to clear up current misconceptions and emphases of the charismatic movement; which, according to Strauss, seems to know little about the Biblical teaching on the Holy Spirit. He says that the “modern charismatic movement is an example of Satanic deception; the devotees of this sect are victims of a delusion. The misleading of their minds results, not from ignorance of the person and work of Christ, but because they are confused and befuddled about the ministry of the Holy Spirit (p. 25).

He finds fault with the Apostles’ Creed for what it omits: viz., it has ten articles on Christ, but only two on the Holy Spirit (p. 20); asserts that referring to the Holy Spirit as an impersonal “it” might be the result of translation in the King James (note Rom. 8:16, 26; 1 Pet. 1:11), pp. 20-21; cautions interpreters not to confuse “revelation” of Holy Spirit with “illumination” of Holy Spirit and shows that guidance of believer does not require additional revelation (pp. 32-33); sees no exhortation in the New Testament for believers to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit (p. 38); understands that not all gifts are necessarily given in every succeeding generation (p. 45); believes a person can discover his gift(s) by (1) acquainting himself with the gifts (2) realizing one’s desires and inclinations might indicate possession of gift(s) (3) investigating: first to enquire of God, then counsel of experienced, discerning Christians (pp. 47-48); has a unique development in his section on the “figures” of the Holy Spirit on the “finger” as symbolic of the Holy Spirit (pp. 66-68); and warns against confusing the baptism with the filling of the Holy Spirit (pp. 73-76), and the fallacious doctrine of eradication (p. 78); finally, he understands “fruit of the Spirit” to be converts, conduct, contribution, caring, confession and character (pp. 102-103).

CenQ 19:4 (Winter 1976) p. 27

The reviewer found three weaknesses: first, the book is mistitled for that is only one chapter of twenty pages in the book; second, the accusation against the Apostles’ Creed is probably misapplied when consideration is given to the time of the Creed’s origin and the purpose for which ...

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