May 16, 2019

Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - XXII - Chapter 4 Trinity in unity concluded

Required reading
Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 4 Trinity in unity.


My summary
Today we finish our chapter on the unity in the trinity by looking at the deity of the Holy Spirit.

Firstly, Shedd establishes that the Holy Spirit is a person because:
(i) he speaks of himself in the first person;
(ii) personal acts are attributed to him;
(iii) he is described as personally distinct from the Father and Son;
(iv) he co-operates with equal power and authority with the Father and the Son;
(v) he appears in theophanies;
(vi) sin is committed against him;
(vii) he is distinguished from the gifts of the Spirit.

Secondly, Shedd demonstrates the Holy Spirit is a divine person because:
(i) a name is given to him;
(ii) the divine attributes are ascribed to him;
(iii) divine works are attributed to him;
(iv) divine worship is rendered to him.

The section then ends with a discussion of the difference of generation and procession.

What grabbed me

I liked Shedd's comments on why the Scripture says less about the Spirit than the Son and the Father: 'The reason why less is said in Scripture respecting the adoration and worship of the third person than of the others is, that in the economy of redemption it is the office of the Spirit to awaken feelings of worship, and naturally, therefore, he appears more as the author than the object of worship. But a person who by an internal operation can awaken feelings of worship is ipso facto God.'

The Spirit delights in moving us to worship the Son and Father.

Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 5 Divine attributes by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'God is an intelligent being, and knowledge is one of his communicable attributes' (page 353 of my edition).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

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