Overview

"Questions about Lutherans and the Holy Spirit? This book probes Lutheranism from Luther to the Formula of Concord (1517-1577) and presents a striking consistency regarding the Holy Spirit among Lutheran Reformers. The Holy Spirit dominated Luther's writing, not only in theology, but in all aspects of living out God's will. Six of the theologians researched in this book were also pastors dealing with enormous challenges from government interference, war, religious disputes, and, as Luther declared, ""The rage of the devil."" The solution was not brilliant arguments or ""best practices."" The solution to a Christian's guilty conscience or lukewarm faith was not trying harder or doing good works. Rather, it was to confess failure, to eliminate self-dependence, and to cry out to the Holy Spirit, who alone is totally sufficient in every situation. Theologians, pastors, missionaries, Sunday-school teachers, workers and retirees, moms and dads, students and kids--everyone--is powerless to accomplish anything in the kingdom of God. Only the Holy Spirit is able to change hearts and meet needs. He graciously responds to all who call. Yes, the work of the Holy Spirit and his power is Lutheran, for Luther in the sixteenth century and for Lutherans today."

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9781498282222

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Reviews

"""Far from the supposition that the Holy Spirit has no 'organic place' in Lutheran theology, Fred Hall demonstrates that in early Lutheran theology the Holy Spirit is the indispensable and efficacious agent who, through the word and sacraments, brings Christ to those desperate for the gospel and unites believers with Christ in his death and resurrection. This book is a welcome addition to Lutheran theology which to date has insufficiently reflected on the person and work of the Spirit."" --Mark Mattes, chair in theology, Grand View University ""Fred Hall has provided readers with an accessible and clarifying study of the theology of the Holy Spirit in Luther and early Lutheranism. Engaging the work of Regin Prenter, Oswald Bayer, and others, Hall's contribution is unique in that he traces the trajectory of Luther's confession of the unity of the Word and Spirit in Lutheran thinkers in the later part of the sixteenth century. Not only Reformation scholars, but also pastors and involved laity will appreciate this volume."" --John T. Pless, assistant professor of pastoral ministry and missions, Concordia Theological Seminary ""Lutheranism is known for its Christology, but it is often misinterpreted as having no significant pneumatology. The Lutheran Theology of the Holy Spirit clearly illustrates that this is the farthest from the truth. Beginning with the great reformer, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther, to the framers of the Lutheran Formula of Concord, Fred Hall strikingly clarifies, through detailed research, the deep and faithful Lutheran doctrine of the Holy Spirit that originates from the inerrant and infallible word of God."" --Cary G. Larson, presiding pastor, American Association of Lutheran Churches ""Fred Hall's study of the Lutheran doctrine of the Holy Spirit fills a significant gap in the literature on early modern Lutheran theology. Hall contrasts Luther's teaching with Melanchthon's and shows a greater continuity between Luther's own thought and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit both in closer followers like Brenz, Rhegius, and Spangenberg and in the later formulators of the Concord, Andreae, Chemnitz, and Chytraeus. This is a significant addition to our understanding of patterns of Lutheran thought in the sixteenth century."" --Richard A. Muller, professor emeritus of historical theology, Calvin Theological Seminary"

"""Far from the supposition that the Holy Spirit has no 'organic place' in Lutheran theology, Fred Hall demonstrates that in early Lutheran theology the Holy Spirit is the indispensable and efficacious agent who, through the word and sacraments, brings Christ to those desperate for the gospel and unites believers with Christ in his death and resurrection. This book is a welcome addition to Lutheran theology which to date has insufficiently reflected on the person and work of the Spirit."" --Mark Mattes, chair in theology, Grand View University ""Fred Hall has provided readers with an accessible and clarifying study of the theology of the Holy Spirit in Luther and early Lutheranism. Engaging the work of Regin Prenter, Oswald Bayer, and others, Hall's contribution is unique in that he traces the trajectory of Luther's confession of the unity of the Word and Spirit in Lutheran thinkers in the later part of the sixteenth century. Not only Reformation scholars, but also pastors and involved laity will appreciate this volume."" --John T. Pless, assistant professor of pastoral ministry and missions, Concordia Theological Seminary ""Lutheranism is known for its Christology, but it is often misinterpreted as having no significant pneumatology. The Lutheran Theology of the Holy Spirit clearly illustrates that this is the farthest from the truth. Beginning with the great reformer, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther, to the framers of the Lutheran Formula of Concord, Fred Hall strikingly clarifies, through detailed research, the deep and faithful Lutheran doctrine of the Holy Spirit that originates from the inerrant and infallible word of God."" --Cary G. Larson, presiding pastor, American Association of Lutheran Churches ""Fred Hall's study of the Lutheran doctrine of the Holy Spirit fills a significant gap in the literature on early modern Lutheran theology. Hall contrasts Luther's teaching with Melanchthon's and shows a greater continuity between Luther's own thought and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit both in closer followers like Brenz, Rhegius, and Spangenberg and in the later formulators of the Concord, Andreae, Chemnitz, and Chytraeus. This is a significant addition to our understanding of patterns of Lutheran thought in the sixteenth century."" --Richard A. Muller, professor emeritus of historical theology, Calvin Theological Seminary"

Author Information

Fred Perry Hall has had two careers. He worked thirty years as an electrical engineer in aerospace. At age forty he entered Fuller Theological Seminary where he completed MA and PhD degrees. He was called to American Lutheran Theological Seminary faculty where he served as president (1996-2001). He has participated on many boards and in short-term missions in Africa and Eastern Europe.

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