The Giver of Life: The Biblical Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Salvation

God’s Spirit unites believers to Christ, conforms them to his image, and equips them for witness and ministry. In The Giver of Life (Lexham), J. V. Fesko reflects on the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the application of Christ’s work for the salvation of sinners. Through a combination of biblical, historical, and theological study, Fesko illuminates the blessing of God’s presence with his people.

Written from a confessionally Reformed perspective in dialogue with the great creeds of the church, The Giver of Life provides a thorough and trustworthy guide to the Holy Spirit’s role in salvation.

Contents

• Introduction: For Us and For Our Salvation
• Part 1: Biblical Revelation
  • Covenant Presence
  • Covenant Promise
  • Covenant Life
• Part 2: Dogmatic Development
  • The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit
  • Union with Communion with Christ in Grace
  • Justification
  • Adoption
  • Sanctification
  • The Christian Life
  • Assurance and Perseverance
  • Service in the Spirit
•  Part 3: Truth for Worship, Life, and Mission
  • True Conversion
  • Life in the Spirit
  • Witness and Mission
•  Conclusion: Twelve Theses on Soteriology

Praise for The Giver of Life

The Giver of Life is a comprehensive treatment of the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, providing the reader with exegetical, theological, and pastoral reflections on his person and ministry. J. V. Fesko has captured this historic doctrine beautifully, expressing the ‘faith once delivered to the saints’ in clear, contemporary terms. Christ’s church is enriched by this study.

—James M. Renihan, president and professor of historical theology, International Reformed Baptist Seminary, Texas

A spirited soteriological synthesis, gathering up a distinctively Protestant doctrine of salvation under the sign of Nicene pneumatology. Fesko is clear in his decisions, transparent in his method, particular about his (covenantal and Reformed) confession, and generous in his scope. This volume is an exemplary entry in the We Believe series.

—Fred Sanders, professor, Torrey Honors College, Biola University

Too often an attempt to recover the resources of ‘the great tradition’ ends up effectively giving those resources priority over the biblical text. Not so in this book! It is Fesko’s determination to keep a clear focus on the teaching of Scripture throughout while taking seriously the contributions of those who have come before us that makes this a refreshing and edifying contribution.

—Mark D. Thompson, principal, Moore Theological College, Sydney

The Giver of Life will prove to be a treasure for the church and a standard in systematic theology. Fesko has taken the often neglected, misunderstood, and, to many, mysterious doctrine of the Holy Spirit and showed its connection to every sphere of our theology. His book is thoroughly researched and provides a fair, balanced treatment of the various views on the pertinent issues under this head of theology.

—Peter Sammons, assistant professor of theology, The Master’s Seminary