Читать книгу Holy Smoke! Unholy Fire! - Robert C McKibben - Страница 5

At first glance when picking up this book, the thought might cross your mind, “the last thing the church needs is another volume on the Holy Spirit.” Because there is so much written and preached about the Holy Spirit it would seem that having yet another text would be rather mundane and redundant at best, and adding more confusion at worst. But it is precisely all the confusion about the Holy Spirit that has prompted me to undertake this effort. Many of the churches I attended prior to going into the ministry, and every church that I’ve served as pastor have had significant “life threatening” experiences over the lack of understanding of the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

“Life threatening” may seem like an unusual phrase to describe experiences involving the Holy Spirit, but a genuine lack of understanding has generated so much tension and strife within local congregations that the life of their fellowships is threatened!

What you will find on the pages that follow is a guide from the heart of a pastor for all congregations that are struggling to come to grips with God’s special Gift. No true believer of Jesus Christ would want to grieve the Holy Spirit or quench the Spirit’s ministry within his or her congregation. But at the same time disciples of Jesus cannot just stand by and see their fellowship torn apart by misunderstanding, mistrust, and perhaps even misrepresentation of Biblical truths. This volume, hopefully, will offer some Biblical understanding concerning the Holy Spirit of God and some Biblical remedies for resolving tensions and restoring fellowship.

Throughout my writing I use personal examples of experiences I’ve had with sisters and brothers within the church. It’s precisely because of my love for them, my love for the Church, and my genuine concern over the things that threaten the spiritual vitality of both, that I’m determined to undertake this venture.

I’ll make the wild claim right now. If you are reading these words, you either are in a congregation or know of a congregation that has suffered division, even an outright split! I contend that every division within a local congregation is directly or indirectly related to a lack of understanding of the Holy Spirit. Oh, the hot topic may be what color the new carpet in the sanctuary is going to be, but the bottom line is misunderstanding the Holy Spirit’s role in leading the church and God’s people.

I once served a congregation that named itself Christ United Methodist Church, a popular moniker in my denomination. Though you will be hearing about them in this book, along with my other congregations, I use their name here only to make a point. Is it Christ – United Methodist Church or is it Christ United – Methodist Church? The Apostle Paul was forced to ask the same question of his “beloved” brothers and sisters in Corinth. In the opening words of what we know as his first letter he painfully asks, “Is Christ divided?” (I Corinthians 1:13)

This will not be primarily a theological study designed to analyze and criticize, but out of necessity there will be some theological struggles to wrestle with. It is also not going to be a negative diatribe filled with warning against all the errors floating around within the ranks of Christian disciples, but again, there may be times when your present understandings are challenged. It is not designed to be a debate over the various understandings of the ministry of the Holy Spirit, but if it causes you to personally ponder your beliefs and the foundations of your faith, then I will have accomplished what every pastor-teacher hopes to achieve.

I start with the premise that the Holy Spirit of God was sent to be experienced more than studied, so my goal is that we will move beyond mere religion of the head and include affections of the heart. Secondly, I hope to provide for God’s people an understanding of the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit that keeps “Christ United” and gives us a greater sense of unity in the Spirit.

My desired outcome for this book is much the same as what I perceive Paul’s intent was in writing to the Corinthians. I wish for this to be a pastoral “letter” to all my sisters and brothers in Christ. In the process, if we should receive some blessings and insights on the intimate workings of the Holy Spirit, then joy will be ours. I pray that you find your reading personal, practical and positive.