“This deep biblical and historical investigation is not merely an academic exercise. As we learn in the course of the discussion, Levison has a bold commitment to contemporary Christian life. He wants to engage not only the academic world, but religious leaders in a way that can open up new avenues of conversation that can benefit a church in danger of splitting apart. He reminds us that in an age when Mainline Protestant Churches, which often prize education and study, are in decline, while Pentecostal/Charismatic groups are on the rise in the Global South. If we don’t find some common ground we could see the development of another major schism within the Christian community.”
Read the entire review at here.
Bob Cornwall,
Pastor, Disciples of Christ
Blogger, Ponderings on a Faith Journey
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“As with any good book this one provides many answers while simultaneously inviting new questions. In my estimation Levison succeeds at breaking down the barrier between the charismatic spirit, the life-giving spirit, and the cultivated-virtuous spirit. He does a fine job of showing how the biblical witness speaks of all humans receiving the spirit of God while acknowledging that early Christianity envisioned something related yet unique for Jesus’ followers. As someone who too has had one foot in Charismatic circles and another in Evangelical/Mainline circles I think Levison’s insights will benefit both traditions, create dialogue, and hopefully allow us to think about the holy spirit in a way that unifies us like it did the Church at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15!”
Brian LePort
Blogger, Near Emmaus
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