Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 38:1 (Oct 2024)
Article: Introduction
Author: Anonymous

Conspectus 38:1 (October 2024) p. 4

Introduction

Conspectus 38 comes out at a time when our world is in desperate need of a sense of direction. What hope does Christianity have to offer to bear witness to the reality of a good God who is concerned for his church and the world at large? The volume focuses on the work and person of the Holy Spirit in counseling, Christian living, and mission work. It emphasizes one of SATS’s core values—being Spirit-led—and serves as an important reminder to develop a healthy and engaging theology of the Spirit that can guide the church to achieve God’s mission in the world.

Conspectus 38 Articles

In her article, “A Case for the Holy Spirit in Christian Counseling Praxis: The 5E Model,” Candida S. Miller introduces a Christian counseling approach that is Spirit-centered in the search to achieve flourishing in Christ. The author recognizes psychological interventions but argues that the Holy Spirit needs to be central in leading clients to the fullness of life.

Next is the article, “An Investigation of the Pneumatological Praxes of Montanism with Lessons for the Contemporary African Church,” in which Ayotunde Olayori Oguntade provides historical lessons of heresies but also warns against resistance to the work of the Holy Spirit today. In this work, Oguntade calls the African church to watch against false teachings and abuses of spiritual gifts and create an environment for sound theology in which members utilize their spiritual gifts to edify the church.

In his article, “Spirit Hermeneutics for African Pentecostalism: A Hermeneutic for a Jubilar Mission,” Samson Tadelle Demo raises an awareness of the need for African Pentecostalism to be self-critical and develop a theology that is rooted in sound hermeneutics to enable its mission. He argues for a contextual hermeneutic that is informed by the Holy Spirit and integrates both cognitive and experiential aspects for a sound Pentecostal spirituality.

Lastly is the article “Keeping in Step with the Spirit (Gal 5:25): Godliness as Evidence of God’s Abiding Presence,” by Bitrus A. Sarma, in which he argues that living a godly life rather than signs often used to exploit the vulnerable is the primary evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence. While he does not dispute that signs are possible, he argues that living in conformity with the character of God is the perceptible indicator of having received the Holy Spirit.

The volume concludes with three book reviews: 1) Dan K. Kidha reviews Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett’s book Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Discipline, 2) Stephanie A. Lowery reviews Apologetics in Africa: An Introduction