Fresh Air: The Holy Spirit for an Inspired Life

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The same spirit that descended like a dove on Jesus at his baptism, propelled him into the wilderness for a time of testing. Levison also notes that in Mark's gospel, the only time that Jesus promises the spirit to the disciples was so that they could testify when facing severe persecution but not escape! The spirit will lead us to the heart of our vocation just like it did Jesus but this doesn't mean that what the spirit brings is always easy. Levison talks about Peter 's Pentecost sermon and Paul's passages on spiritual gifts and tongues in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 this is where many treatments on the Spirit begin.

In this chapter he contrasts the craziness of revivalism and snake handlers with the somewhat subdued mainline perspective and the book of Common Prayer. He concludes that there is no evidence in the Bible that we should avoid spiritual experiences but that the thrust of these passages also compels us to engage the Biblical text so that we could see more clearly the ways the spirit is moving in us. I loved the solid exegesis and the many insightful gems I found in this book I didn't share all of them, Elihu plays the foil for the first three chapters.

My one small complaint is that Levison never got around to treating my own 'go to' passages on the Holy Spirit John , But I do love that the passages he chose to focus on are often neglected ones and he put a fresh spin on some old favorites. I would recommend this book for anyone who want to understand more of the spirit or Spirit. Levison is an great teacher and opens up these passages in exciting ways often sharing stories of his own family life to illustrate his points.

In each chapter you read several passages of scripture so I read this devotionally and really found that it helped nourish my spirit during a busy week. This one gets a high recommendation from me.

FRESH AIR by Jack Levison: The Holy Spirit for an Inspired Life

I received this book from Paraclete Press in exchange for this review. This is my fair and honest review. Feb 21, Ken Garrett rated it liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My initial review of this book seemed strident and incomplete, as I thought more about it.

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It is a worthy attempt at demystifying the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, and is very powerful in the area of application. By the end of the book the reader is very clear as to the author's vision of what a life might look like, should it be truly empowered and filled by the Holy Spirit and even how a blessed, Spirit-led culture might look, too. The author is an excellent writer, and share anecdotes from his My initial review of this book seemed strident and incomplete, as I thought more about it. The author is an excellent writer, and share anecdotes from his own experience in a thoughtful, kindhearted manner that preserves and clarifies the assertion that his is making.

The main areas that I found disappointing were that, while there are instances of very creative interpretation found in the book see the author's discussion of what Spirit-filling looked like in the life of Daniel, for example , the author's conclusions say, that Daniel was consistently filled with the Spirit, since the book refers to his spiritual qualities four times were not conclusive and irrefutable, but seemed speculative and perhaps novel. I also felt that the fact of the personal nature of the Holy Spirit as an equal member of the trinity was not given adequate treatment.

Also, despite a vigorous defense of his reasons for doing so, the author's style of writing of the Holy Spirit only in lower case letters seemed distracting and contrived. While this book did not satisfy my desires for a theological treatment of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, it presented a refreshing look at the possibilities for Christianity, and the world, should the Holy Spirit be welcomed and obeyed by God's people!

View all 3 comments. Mar 03, Adam Shields rated it really liked it. I thought it was good and devotionally focused. Each chapter started with several scriptures that the author wanted the reader to read and become familiar with. Then the chapter discussed one way the Spirit works in the life of a Christian.

My full review is at http: Dec 04, Matt rated it really liked it. One of the best books on the Holy Spirit I've ever read. Levison, an academically trained and credentialed expert on the biblical idea of the Holy Spirit, does provocative work here. The most notable and to some, disturbing element of which is his insistence on writing "Holy Spirit" as "holy spirit.

In correlation to this, Levison seems to treat the Holy Spirit more as a divine presence than a divine personal One of the best books on the Holy Spirit I've ever read. In correlation to this, Levison seems to treat the Holy Spirit more as a divine presence than a divine personality.

Fresh Air The Holy Spirit for an Inspired Life

This traces back to an old debate in church history, and Levison does nothing in the book to dissuade his readers that he thinks that the Spirit is anything more than a spiritual force. This may be repelling to some. However, aside from the "pneumatological" controversies that present themselves here, Levison's teaching on the meaning and application of the Spirit's work in our lives is some of the best I've read. He offers a sane and sober view of the Bible's portrayal of the Spirit's activity, and the obscure connections that he makes between the Spirit's work in different characters and different epochs in biblical history are nothing short of fascinating.

You'll find ample and fresh material here for very practical and very relevant teaching on the Spirit's function for any Bible studies or sermons you may be presenting. Oct 01, Darrell G. A Fresh Look at Worship Fresh Air does indeed take a new and considered look at worship as shown to us by the early Christian church. I would like to see all such enticements to things in a new way be so carefully researched and provided with such a firm foundation of premise.

However, I left this well laid out book unconvinced that it offered a new hope. I did not see how a mix of proficy and teaching would cure the woes of today's church or what a church that embraced his solution would look lik A Fresh Look at Worship Fresh Air does indeed take a new and considered look at worship as shown to us by the early Christian church. I did not see how a mix of proficy and teaching would cure the woes of today's church or what a church that embraced his solution would look like.

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The book felt unfinished. Apr 04, Dennis Henn rated it it was ok. Levison is bright and makes frequent, thorough, references to Scripture. He encourages us to engage Scripture with him. Though a seminary professor, he writes in a very accessible style for lay readers. He lays out this book in eight chapters based on biblical characters' experiences with the Holy Spirit. All of that is good. I mostly agreed with his observations in the last four chapters and mostly disagreed with his Levison is bright and makes frequent, thorough, references to Scripture.

I mostly agreed with his observations in the last four chapters and mostly disagreed with his observations from the first four.

He chose not to capitalize holy spirit and explained why. His reasoning left me to understand the Holy Spirit not in a Trinitarian way but as God's vital life force breath that pervades every human regardless of their relationship to God through Jesus. This is not a Charismatic book. Aug 09, Jeff Bjorgan rated it really liked it.

A very insightful book with lots of real world application. Levison appeals to areas of Scripture that are not often taken into consideration when discussing a theology of the Holy Spirit. He has something to say and he does it well.

He is persuasive in areas that need more attention such as the inclusiveness of the Holy Spirit--poured out on all flesh , and surprises in areas that I hadn't thought of or known about before such as the emphasis of the Holy Spirit driving Jesus out into the wild A very insightful book with lots of real world application. He is persuasive in areas that need more attention such as the inclusiveness of the Holy Spirit--poured out on all flesh , and surprises in areas that I hadn't thought of or known about before such as the emphasis of the Holy Spirit driving Jesus out into the wilderness.

In fact, the chapter entitled "Jesus' Test" is worth the price of the book.

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This book was strongly endorsed by respected authors like N. Wright, Scot McKnight, and Eugene Peterson, and deservedly so; thoughtful, well-researched and practical books on the Holy Spirit are rare. This book deserves a spot on your bookshelf. There were some wonderful moments of fresh air in this book, e. How do we make sense of the Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus gently like a dove one moment and then violently thrusting Jesus out into the wilderness to be confronted by evil personified? Levison makes good sense of that, but you will have to read it for yourself to find out what sense!

There were other parts of the book that left me baffled, lik There were some wonderful moments of fresh air in this book, e. There were other parts of the book that left me baffled, like his explanation of why he insists on using lower case to refer to the holy spirit. Thus the downgrade to three stars. Aug 17, Wendy C rated it it was amazing. Though provoking book on the Holy Spirit. I found myself reading and re reading portions and being discerning yet open. All of it, I hope will enlarge and enrich what you believe.

This book has 8 chapters based on different biblical stories and characters that speak about the holy spirit. So, a very brief summary of each of the 8 chapters, highlighting some of the biblical bits, the main ideas, and practical application:. Job experiences exhaustion, suffering, and darkness. Jack points out that many of us have learned to experience the spirit on the mountaintop but that even in exhaustion and darkness we can find the spirit at work.

Levison sees the ruach , the spirit-breath as human breath and divine spirit. In the midst of suffering, recognize the spirit, the breath of God present in you. Levison contrasts two biblical characters: Elihu is depicted as an energetic, impatient and over-confident character and Daniel as disciplined and faithful. The spirit transforms no one, teaches no one, overwhelms no one…the spirit is simply a deep, resonant, rich pool of wisdom, knowledge, and insight that permeates the character of this young man.

This chapter opens with the authors reflections on a question his son asked: He uses a metaphor to explain:. Recognize the spirit lives in you, be humble, embrace simplicity, live for the long haul.

Devote yourself to routine encouragement. Be open to reinterpretation. The spirit is not just at work in individuals but also in community.

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