The Holy Spirit Of God An Essay In Biblical Theology

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Book Reviews / Pneuma 30 (2008) 147-191

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François-Xavier Durrwell, The Holy Spirit of God: An Essay in Biblical Theology (Cincinnati, OH: St. Anthony Messenger Press, 2006). xix + 267 pp., $14.99, paper.

This thorough essay by the late François-Xavier Durrwell is a welcome addition to the array of resources relating to biblical and systematic pneumatology. Though ﬁrst published in 1983, this book remains a useful volume for both the academy and the church. Durrwell was a Roman Catholic priest whose research focused on various aspects of trinitarian theology. His theological method attempts to synthesize biblical data, the patristic tradition, and modern theological reﬂection. Consequently, Durrwell’s work reﬂects a multidimensional perspective that incorporates a diversity of sources for pneumatology and Christology.

In The Holy Spirit of God , Durrwell begins by suggesting that the Holy Spirit is inexpress- ible but nonetheless important to write about. Durrwell conceptualizes the Holy Spirit primarily in functional terms as portrayed in the scriptural canon. He attempts to locate the Holy Spirit within the economy of salvation as well as within the eternal procession of the Godhead.

In economic terms, Durrwell highlights the manner in which the Holy Spirit serves as an expression of God’s power and glory (God in his transcendence) as well as his work in crea- tion and love for humankind (God in his immanence). Two of the important responsibili- ties that Durrwell sees the Holy Spirit fulﬁlling in salvation history are the anointing of Christ and the resurrection. For Durrwell, the Holy Spirit’s role as ointment and source of Christ’s resurrection did not cease with Jesus’ ascension. T rough Jesus’ death and resurrec- tion the Holy Spirit was released on the entire cosmos, pouring grace over the world and connecting human beings with God. The church is the communion between humans and God established by the Holy Spirit through the work of Christ. Durrwell identiﬁes the sacraments as part of the Holy Spirit’s aﬀective and continual work in the church.

In processional terms, Durrwell makes an interesting assertion, namely, that the Father begets the Son in the Spirit. This distinction is important because it suggests that the Holy Spirit is integrally connected to the Son not only in the incarnational life but also in the mystery of God. Durrwell employs the patristic teaching of circumincession according to which the Father, Son, and Spirit share a deep unity as they indwell and shape one another. One of the weaknesses of Durrwell’s work is its failure to interact with Pentecostal and Charismatic literature and its subsequent lack of attention to spiritual gifts, which are related to the Holy Spirit’s work in the economy. As indicated before, Durrwell’s book will appeal to a broader audience than the academy; however, laypeople who pick up this reprinted volume will not ﬁnd much in it addressing the Holy Spirit in personal, devotional spirituality. One of the strengths of Durrwell’s work is its skilled use of diverse sources, including scripture, the patristic literature, and the writings of signiﬁcant medieval and modern theo- logians. A second strength is Durrwell’s adeptness at moving from particular descriptions of the Holy Spirit to the broader context of salvation history. This work will serve as a valuable resource in the libraries of many Pentecostal and Charismatic theologians interested in pneu- matology and trinitarian theology.

Reviewed by Jacob D. Dodson

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