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The Cinderella of Theology: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 August 2011

G. J. Sirks
Affiliation:
Remonstrant Seminary, Leyden

Extract

More than once the doctrine of the Spirit (Pneumatology) has been called the Cinderella of Theology. If this was so in the past, and is perhaps still, it now requires our full attention. At the risk of viewing the situation through ‘continental’ eyes, but hoping you will recognize this, I would say that the nineteenth century, impressed by the advance of science, confronted theology in the first place with problems raised by natural science. Its first question concerned the nature of God, especially in connection with creation. Scientific historical inquiry paid attention to the Bible, and in the New Testament focussed its interest upon the question of the historical Jesus. This work culminated and came to a temporary halt in Albert Schweitzer's, The Quest of the Historical Jesus. A revival of Systematic Theology and Dogmatics followed, and in the opinion of the dogmatists the connecting lines between theology viewed from a cosmic standpoint and the Gospel were too long. The same thing was seen happening in the historical study of religions which came to cover an ever-widening field. On flle other hand, however, they could not be satisfied with a ‘life of Jesus,’ so that Christology began to occupy a central place which it has held during the last few decades. And, if Pneumatology received any attention at all, its allotted place was small.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © President and Fellows of Harvard College 1957

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References

1 A paper read at a conference at Le Chambon arranged by the International Congregational Council.

2 Die Kirchliche Dogmatik, 1.2.Par.16. Zurich, 1945.

3 Vom Werk des Heiligen Geistes. (Concerning the Work of the Holy Spirit.) Three Lectures to the University of Copenhagen, p. 10. Zurich, 1934Google Scholar.

4 Geloof en Openbaring (Faith and Revelation), pp. 173 ff. Arnhem, 1950.

5 The Blessing of the Holy Spirit. J. E. Fison, p. 109.

6 Geloof en Openbaring. C. J. Heering, p. 283.