We’re immersing ourselves in the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit over the next couple of months at MIE. So if you wanted to do some additional reading, here are some thoughts… and yes, I am trying to be as balanced as possible on some of the more contentious aspects of what we might believe, and where we might disagree!

There will soon be a number of books available on the MIE website. I sent the titles through a couple of weeks ago, but I guess like a number of other processes during Lockdown, things are just taking a bit longer. So in the meantime:

So here are half a dozen titles, that should prove stimulating.

On the ‘continuationist’ side of the discussion:

Surprised by the Power of the Spirit. By Dr Jack Deere.

Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology (Chap 39 & 51-53)

Both these are accessible works. if you want something a bit more meaty: Tom Smail: Reflected Glory

and something heavyweight: Max Turner, The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts; or Wayne Grudem: The Gift of Prophecy (a popularized adaptation of his PhD).

Grudem & Deere can both be found on Youtube, explaining what they believe and why.

On the ‘cessationist’ side of the discussion:

Jim Packer: Keep in step with the Spirit.

R.C. Sproul, The Mystery of the Holy Spirit

For something a bit more meaty: Sinclair Ferguson, The Holy Spirit

And for the heavyweights: George Smeaton: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

On Youtube, have a look at the ‘Strange Fire Conference’; Tom Schreiner on Youtube also explains why he believes Spiritual Gifts have ceased.

Books from previous generations:

John Owen: The Spirit and the Church

Octavius Winslow: The Work of the Holy Spirit

and finally:

Tom Schreiner and Sam Storms have both published essays at The Gospel Coalition discussing whether the miraculous gifts are still in operation today. Tom Schreiner argues the cessationist position–that miraculous gifts have ceased. Storms argues the continuationist position–that prophecy, tongues, and the rest continue. Both essays have a constructive tone even as they straightfowardly disagree with one another.

That should get you started!!