Overview
A Distinguished Theologian on the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
Distinguished theologian Matthew Levering offers a historical examination of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, defending an Augustinian model against various contemporary theological views. A companion piece to Levering's Engaging the Doctrine of Revelation, this work critically engages contemporary and classical doctrines of the Holy Spirit in dialogue with Orthodox and Reformed interlocutors. Levering makes a strong dogmatic case for conceiving of the Holy Spirit as love between Father and Son, given to the people of God as a gift.
Distinguished theologian Matthew Levering offers a historical examination of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, defending an Augustinian model against various contemporary theological views. A companion piece to Levering's Engaging the Doctrine of Revelation, this work critically engages contemporary and classical doctrines of the Holy Spirit in dialogue with Orthodox and Reformed interlocutors. Levering makes a strong dogmatic case for conceiving of the Holy Spirit as love between Father and Son, given to the people of God as a gift.
Table of Contents
Contents
Introduction
1. The Holy Spirit as Love and Gift
2. Naming the Holy Spirit: East and West
3. The Holy Spirit and the Filioque
4. The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ
5. The Holy Spirit and the Church
6. The Holy Spirit and the Unity of the Church
7. The Holy Spirit and the Holiness of the Church
Conclusion
Indexes
Introduction
1. The Holy Spirit as Love and Gift
2. Naming the Holy Spirit: East and West
3. The Holy Spirit and the Filioque
4. The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ
5. The Holy Spirit and the Church
6. The Holy Spirit and the Unity of the Church
7. The Holy Spirit and the Holiness of the Church
Conclusion
Indexes
Endorsements
"Matthew Levering has acquired a well-earned reputation for being amazingly prolific without ceasing to be substantive and profound. In this work he has done it again! No one interested in the doctrine of the Holy Spirit--and especially in the seminal contributions of Augustine and Aquinas--can afford to ignore this rich and stimulating book."
George Hunsinger, Hazel Thompson McCord Professor of Systematic Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary
"This is surely the most substantive theological treatise on the Holy Spirit to appear since Yves Congar's great work on the subject over a generation ago. Like Cardinal Congar, Matthew Levering knows that 'the river of life' flows in both the West and the East, and more than Congar, he brings the immense riches of the Western Catholic tradition's teaching on the person and work of the Spirit to bear on the manifold problems of the present."
Bruce D. Marshall, Lehman Professor of Christian Doctrine, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University
"In this landmark achievement, Matthew Levering presents his theology of the Holy Spirit. The result is a deeply informed, robust, Catholic articulation of the person and work of the Holy Spirit, whose proper names are Love and Gift. It is rare to encounter such a remarkable range of biblical as well as doctrinal theologians, presented by way of irenic yet vigorous discussion. As readers of Levering would expect, Thomas Aquinas takes the position as the theologian of the Holy Spirit. This book is vintage Levering!"
Hans Boersma, J. I. Packer Professor of Theology, Regent College
"An exemplary work of ecumenical theology. Levering guides the reader through the most central and subtle questions of the theology of the Holy Spirit. He engages systematically with scriptural, patristic, medieval, and modern topics and relates the whole study coherently to the mystery of the Church. A splendid achievement of wonderful intellectual breadth and profoundly Catholic verve."
Fr. Thomas Joseph White, OP, director, Thomistic Institute, Washington, DC
Author
Matthew Levering
Matthew Levering (PhD, Boston College) is the James N. Jr. and Mary D. Perry Chair of Theology at Mundelein Seminary, University of Saint Mary of the Lake, in Mundelein, Illinois. He previously taught at the University of Dayton. Levering is the author of numerous books, including Engaging the Doctrine of Revelation, Engaging the Doctrine of Creation, Engaging the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, Proofs of God, The Theology of Augustine, and Ezra & Nehemiah in the Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible series. He serves as coeditor of the journals Nova et Vetera and the International Journal of Systematic Theology and has served as chair of the board of the Academy of Catholic Theology since 2007.