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Reviews on Resources for Biblical and Theological Studies

Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity (2022, Intervarsity Press)

Written By: Paulson Pulikottil - Nov• 10•22

Reeves, Michael. 2022. Delighting in the Trinity An Introduction to the Christian Faith. Downers Grove IL: InterVarsity Press. Pages: 141; ISBN: 978-08308-4707-5 

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978-0-8308-4707-5This book is on the Trinity, a topic that we are tempted to dismiss as mystery, unintelligible, or hard to understand. 

However, Reeves has treated this topic in a language and style that is accessible even to those who do not have formal theological education. The wit and wisdom of the author is remarkable. His vast knowledge on the topic finds expression in simple and witty style keeping the readers hooked till the last page. 

The book is illustrated. Textboxes throw light on classical authors, and topics that brighten up the sidewalks of the main topic. 

Instead of parading dry theological arguments, though the book is sound in its theological foundations, the author argues that the truth of Trinity is an integral part of Christian experience. The undeniable truth of Trinity is evident in creation, salvation, and the Christian life. 

The main argument in support of God in three persons is the truth that God is love. Father God loved the son. The creation is an act of father’s love for the Son. Then the Son showed the Father’s love to us. Without the Son, we would never know or enjoy God’s love. We enjoy the Father’s love for us, shown to us by the Son by the ongoing ministry of the Spirit. If God was just one person, the statement that God is love would be void. 

I have read many books on Trinity, but for the first time, here is a book that explains how faith in the Triune God applies to my daily life as a disciple of Christ. 

The title justifies the experience of the book. It is indeed a delightful experience to read this book which leads to immersing us in the knowledge and experience of the Holy Trinity, all around us and in us. 

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Haughey. BIOGRAPHY OF THE SPIRIT. Orbis, 2015

Written By: Paulson Pulikottil - Feb• 08•16

Haughey, John C. A Biography of the Spirit. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2015. Pages: 220 ISBN: 978-1-62698-122-5

Haughey_Biography_of_SpiritThe title of the book is rather amusing especially when we realize that the author has in mind the third person of the Holy Trinity. It may be possible to write a biography of the second person of the Trinity since he ‘walked on talked’ on earth in his incarnation. However, Haughey has defined biography as the data of one’s life. In the case of the Spirit, this data is found in observing nature and gathering insights from science where the Spirit is active. So, the book takes the form of day-by-day observations and reflections of nature and science.

He argues that we need the ‘complement of pneumatology’ to comprehend nature and the complexities that science is able to discover. So he goes on by reflecting on nature, science and sometimes scriptural truth as he ventures to find the life of the Spirit in all these realms of life.

His conception of Spirit is non-gendered, so throughout the book, he describes the Spirit as ‘It’ though he doesn’t deny that the Spirit is a person.

The reflections are arranged day-by-day in a dated sequence. Each page is like a guided tour through God’s world and Word where we discern the life of the Spirit.

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