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Book Reviews / Pneuma 33 (2011) 109-169
Paul S. Chung, Te Spirit of God Transforming Life: Te Reformation and Teology of the Spirit (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009) xiv + 195 pp. Hardcover, $80.00, ISBN 978- 0-230-62027-8.
Paul Chung, an Associate Professor of Teology at Luther Seminary (St. Paul, Minnesota), is keenly aware of the current “ecumenical and global discussion of Christian theology” and its focus on the Spirit of God (1). He acknowledges that, while today’s charismatic-pente- costal movements focus on the work of the Spirit and the renewal of the Church, Reforma- tion Protestantism is perceived as ignoring the spiritual dimension of Christian theology. In Te Spirit of God Transforming Life: Reformation and Teology of the Spirit, Chung reevaluates the work of the Reformers, especially Martin Luther and John Calvin, to reveal their theology of the Spirit. In the process, he gives his readers a fresh new look at the role of the Spiritus Creator, the Trinity, the law and gospel, and the church in Reformation theology. With this refreshing view, Chung holds the door wide open to ecumenical dia- logue in which the Spirit of God repairs the unity and renews the spirit of the Christian Church.
For Chung, an honest and accurate look at the person and work of the Holy Spirit in Reformation theology is needed for this ecumenical effort. He believes that these Reformers have been misinterpreted and misunderstood. Despite traditional scholarship, he believes that both Calvin and Luther held a high pneumatology. Although the theological descen- dants of Luther and Calvin have remained separated (until recently) on many issues, their understanding of the Holy Spirit is remarkably close. In this monograph, Chung explores the Spirit of God in relationship to spirituality and ethical life by exposing the differences as well as the commonalities of these two Reformers.
Chung’s monograph is brief, but concise. In five chapters, an introduction, and a conclu- sion he reevaluates the pneumatology of both Luther and Calvin in relationship to six major areas of Reformation theology: the Spiritus Creator; the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and natural theology; Christ-Union and election; Luther’s two-fold approach to the law compared and contrasted with Calvin’s three-fold perspective in light of the work of the Spirit; the Church in light of the power of the Holy Spirit; and the Reformed/ Lutheran dispute over the real presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper (reframed with an “interpretive imagination”; 143). Te final ten pages of the book is an Afterward. Unfortu- nately, the topic, “Max Weber’s View of Reformation of Capitalism,” does not contribute to Chung’s thesis. While it may provide a renewed perspective of the Reformers’ socioeco- nomic legacy, it does not add to our understanding of pneumatology or the renewal of the church. Perhaps, this Afterward should have been a Forward to his next book.
Chung’s goal with this investigation is to “correct narrow and unilateral readings of the reformers and provide to the field of pneumatology cogent and reliable argument and ratio- nale for what Luther and Calvin have in common regarding the Holy Spirit, the life-giver” (20). He has systematically returned to the original work of both Luther and Calvin. In doing so, he has avoided the pitfalls of traditional scholarship which has depended heavily on the writings of their Reformation colleagues, Philip Melanchthon and Ulrich Zwingli. To Chung’s credit, he has moved beyond the traditional research to discover common ground between the two Reformers. He presents a Luther who, in his early writings,
© Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2011 DOI: 10.1163/157007411X554866
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Book Reviews / Pneuma 33 (2011) 109-169
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described justification as “union with Christ” in the presence of the Holy Spirit, rather than a forensic justification (74). Chung also discovered that, despite Zwingli’s rejection of Luther’s doctrine of real presence, “Calvin expressed the real, substantial, and even bodily presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper . . .” (153). Calvin saw that the substance of Christ’s body became available to the believer through the power of the Holy Spirit. For these unique contributions to Christian theology, Chung must be applauded.
With this book, Chung has made valuable contribution toward a revival of the Spirit in Western Christianity. As he acknowledged in his introduction, “As despiritualization reaches a climax in the Western Church, we observe the rebirth of the Spirit in charismatic- Pentecostal movements in the emergence of World Christianity . . .” (1). Chung is correct in his assumptions. Research on the Spirit of God is needed for ecumenical dialogue given the emergence of a worldwide renewal movement. To accomplish this, Chung chose to dia- logue with some of the most recent Lutheran and Reformed theologians — Karl Barth, Jürgen Moltmann, and Wolfhart Pannenburg. Unfortunately, he has limited the involve- ment of theologians prominent in the renewal movement (Frank Macchia; 76). If Chung’s goal was to re-appropriate Luther and Calvin’s pneumatology for ecumenical discussion, pentecostal/charismatic theologians should have been consulted. Te addition of their voices would have strengthened his dialogue.
With or without Pentecostal offerings, Chung has made a major contribution to both ecumenical discussion and global theology. His unique perspective on the pneumatology of Calvin and Luther is a must-read for today’s pastors, theologians, as well as any Christian interested in the work of the Spirit. Undoubtedly, Te Spirit of God Transforming Life will assist the global faith community as it seeks to fulfill Paul’s challenge (in Chung’s words) for us: “that Christ and the church become one flesh and one bone” (158).
Reviewed by Mary Schaefer Fast
PhD Candidate
Regent University School of Divinity, Virginia Beach, Virginia [email protected]
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