Journal: Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal
Volume: DBSJ 14:1 (NA 2009)
Article: Book Review
Author: Anonymous

DBSJ 14 (2009) p. 123

Book Review

He Who Gives Life: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit by Graham A. Cole. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2007. 310 pp. $30.00

Graham Cole, currently professor of biblical and systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Deerfield, IL), brings an Anglican evangelical background and nearly three decades of teaching experience (Moore College; Ridley College) to bear on the topic of pneumatology in this latest contribution to Crossway’s Foundations of Evangelical Theology series. Citing growing interest and changing attitudes toward pneumatology in both Pentecostal and mainline churches, Cole argues the need for a fresh, systematic study of the Holy Spirit for a new day. He begins by carefully defining his theological method, arguing for the priority of the Scriptures, properly compared, in his study. In true Anglican fashion he gives significant place to the collected witness of Christian thought through the centuries, and also makes room for general revelation and the discursive and empirical discovery of truth, but renders all of these sources subservient to Scripture. He promises to approach the topic subjectively and narratively, being sure to “take off his shoes” while treading this holy ground, not merely “taking snapshots” of the burning bush (pp. 32-33).

Chapter two is given to a discussion of divine incomprehensibility, and begins with the reminder that sometimes we must humbly concede “mystery” and simply obey. Cole cautions, though, against opting prematurely for mystery. He also warns against falling prey to “mysticism,” which opts for immediate knowledge of the Spirit where Scripture is silent. Summarizing this key point, Cole writes, “I would contend that the Scriptures don’t demand the language of mysticism in any technical sense to do descriptive justice to it stories, whether of prophet or apostle, not for us to understand its normative expectations of the godly life” (p. 55). This refreshing affirmation of sola scriptura is an encouraging sign in the present milieu of pneumatological study.

Cole turns next to matters of ontology. He argues primarily from the relational nature of the Holy Spirit that he is a person, giving a nod to the Spirit’s self-consciousness and personal activities and emotions as further evidence. His arguments that the Spirit is God (as seen in his name, activities, attributes, reception of prayer/worship, and the capacity for being blasphemed) and also a distinct person in the godhead break little new ground, but are necessary to a comprehensive treatment. A helpful section on the Spirit and gender language concludes that while assigning gender language to God is analogical in nature and while feminine imagery may be used of God, the Bible is consistent in

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