French Arrington: Encountering the Holy Spirit

[pullquote]“Arrington’s new book is one I would heartily recommend to any Pentecostal or charismatic believer who desires to gain a more complete understanding of how the Spirit works in the life of the Christian and the church.”[/pullquote]Some unique facets of Arrington’s book would make it well suited for class settings (as well as individual study). He includes a summary at the end of each chapter, along with helpful tables of information summarizing the contents of the chapter, and study/discussion questions. He has a talent for taking the main points and presenting them in a manner that aids in memory and referencing. Encountering the Holy Spirit would make a great textbook for any Sunday school or Bible school class on the subject of the work of the Spirit.

The only two criticisms I would offer are not really criticisms, but observations. First, I felt that Arrington’s apologetics of the Pentecostal theology of the baptism of the Spirit could have been filled out more (especially in a volume dedicated to describing the work of the Holy Spirit). As a Pentecostal reading the book, I found myself developing unanswered questions that a non-Pentecostal may also have in mind. (However, I do recognize that Arrington’s book is not meant to be an exclusively apologetic work, but rather a systematic introduction to the work of the Spirit. Perhaps he may consider a more defensive work in the future.)

Second, his chapter on the personal testimonies of individuals could have been shortened, while still possessing the same edifying qualities. His desire to present multiple testimonies for the various works of the Spirit resulted in some seemingly repetitive and redundant stories. Perhaps giving one testimony for each work of the Spirit may have been a possibility for consideration in preparing this chapter.

All in all, Arrington’s new book is one I would heartily recommend to any Pentecostal or charismatic believer who desires to gain a more complete understanding of how the Spirit works in the life of the Christian and the church. I pray that Brother Arrington continues to be used by the same Spirit for years to come in providing us with wonderfully edifying works.

Reviewed by Mike Knowles.