Released in the UK July 2015
Released in the US September 2015
Large trade paperback | 144 Pages
9781781916018 • £9.99 $15.99
BISAC – REL080000
The nature of the relationship between the Spirit of God and the Word of God has been debated among believers for centuries. Is the Spirit present wherever and whenever the Word is preached?
Ralph Cunnington explores this and in particular the narrow historical theological question of what the Protestant Reformers, in particular John Calvin, actually taught on this topic. With careful and incisive scholarship, and writing that is both clear and cogent, we travel through this question.
Ralph Cunnington
Ralph Cunnington is co-pastor of City Church Manchester. He is a member of the Theological Teams of FIEC and Affinity and editor of Affinity?s theological journal Foundations.
9781527103849 |
9781845504557 |
9781527106390 |
9781845504380 |
... this short, readable and relevant book will be a great help to preachers, equipping them to navigate these contemporary controversies and providing them with a proper theological understanding of their vital work.
John Stevens
National Director, Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches, Market Harborough, Leicestershire
This is a fascinating historical look at a subject of vital importance for preachers. It stimulated me to think, then think again, about the relationship of word and Spirit.
Lee Gatiss
Director of Church Society, and Adjunct Lecturer in Church History, Union School of Theology, Bridgend, Wales
... provides a most careful analysis in some depth of the historical data concerning Lutheran and Reformed views of the subject and thereby takes the debate forwards in a very helpful manner.
Robert Strivens
Pastor, Bradford–on–Avon Baptist Church, Wiltshire, UK & former Principal, London Seminary
A controversy has been going on for some time among generally Reformed churches in the United Kingdom (and regions beyond) regarding the presence and activity of the Holy Spirit in the public proclamation of the Word of God. Much of this kerfuffle surrounds the influence of Moore Theological College in Australia. Can the Word of God ever be preached without the blessing of the Holy Spirit? Do we need to wrestle with the Lord in anxious prayer like Jacob with the angel at Peniel? Is it possible to presume on the Holy Spirit's presence and activity? Ralph Cunnington, pastor of City Church Manchester, enters into this discussion by seeking wisdom from John Calvin's approach to the relationship of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God in this concise but significant book Preaching With Spiritual Power.