Pneumatology Flashcards
Pneumatology
Study of the Holy Spirit - the third person in the Trinity.
Ontological Pneumatology
The study of the nature and being of the Spirit.
Functional Pneumatology
The study of the Spirit’s functions.
Divinity of the Spirit (Seven Arguments)
- Scripture says so.
- Baptism of Jesus.
- Baptismal formula.
- Apostolic benedictions and salutations.
- Pneumological attributes.
- Blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
- Trinitarian works.
The Personhood of the Spirit
Though they are anthropopathisms, there seem to be personal references to the Holy Spirit: can be insulted, has a will, has opinions, teaches, leads, prays.
A Spiritual Force
WRONG! Denies the personhood of the Spirit.
Pneumotomachians / Spirit-Fighters
WRONG! Argues that because the Spirit does impersonal things, it’s inappropriate to ascribe personhood.
Socinianism
WRONG! Argues that the Spirit is a power used by the Father and the Son to accomplish their will.
Jehovah’s Witnesses
WRONG! Formally denounces the personhood of the Holy Spirit.
Eternal Procession
This is the Holy Spirit’s eternal mode of subsistence - he eternally proceeds from the Father and the Son.
The Filioque Controversy
“and the Son”
Inseparable Operations
When the Trinity acts, the Trinity acts inseparably - all three persons are active in every work.
Appropriation / Terminus
Certain acts terminate on one person of the Trinity.
The Work of the Spirit
The Spirit is active in works. The Spirit takes what the Father does through the Son and makes it personal.
Creation (ruach)
Means spirit, breath, or wind.
Inspiration
The act of inspiration terminated on the Spirit.
Perichoresis
The persons of the Trinity mutually indwell one another.
Illumination
The Spirit illuminates the Scripture for us.
Accomplishing Salvation
The Spirit is active in the work of accomplishing salvation.
Applying Salvation
The Spirit’s primary soteriological work is in applying salvation: regeneration, justification, adoption, conviction, resurrection.
The Church
The Holy Spirit started the church. The church is the Spirit’s primary function today.
