Here in Spirit: Knowing the Spirit Who Creates, Sustains, and Transforms Everything

by Jonathan K. Dodson

“I'll be there in spirit.”

We say this knowing it isn't really possible. Yet we often find ourselves dislocated from the present, inattentive to things in front of us: people, work, culture, ministry opportunities, prayer, and even the Spirit himself.

The Holy Spirit, however, relocates us in the present, motivating us to fully engage whatever God puts before us. Instead of relating narrowly to the Spirit based on just a few of his gifts, this book broadens our engagement with him, touring aspects of his vast character that often go unexplored. It turns out, living here in the Spirit is the source of the most meaningful, creative, satisfying life possible.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality

160 pages, Paperback

Published September 25, 2018

About the author

Jonathan K. Dodson (M.Div, Th.M) is happy husband to Robie, and proud father to Owen, Ellie & Rosamund. He is the lead pastor of City Life Church and a leader in PlantR and Gospel Centered Discipleship.com. Jonathan is also author of Gospel-Centered Discipleship, Raised? Finding Jesus by Doubting the Resurrection and The Unbelievable Gospel: Say Something Worth Believing (September, 2014). He enjoys listening to M. Ward, smoking his pipe, watching sci-fi, and following Jesus.

Reviews

[Jimmy Reagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a wonderful approach to the study of the Holy Spirit. Most such books run straight to controversy as if the Spirit was nothing more than an academic question or a “spirited” debate. The better ones remind us that the Spirit is a Person. This one by Jonathan Dodson goes one better by stressing that He desires relationship—a relationship that is not merely representative of the Father and the Son, but personal to Himself. The author went so far in that vein that repentance was required in his life for what was rank neglect of the Spirit on his part. Perhaps like me, you aren’t far behind him!

Dodson knows how to connect with this generation. I’m not sure the word “hip” is still in currency as I don’t have a hip bone in my body, but he knew how to pull in a great deal of popular culture. For the record, I don’t think I had ever seen even one movie he referenced, but he told enough of the plot that I could connect the dots easily. What won the day for me was his prevalent sincerity and contributive content.

He didn’t drown in tongues, or gifts, or other strange favorites, but he displayed a clear understanding that preferred to stay on task for a relationship with the Spirit. My strongest recommendation for this book is the positive conviction it brought to me. In short, I prayed differently this morning. In a book aimed at Christians at all points of our journey, what could be a better endorsement?

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[John Seago · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here in Spirit is a powerful and greatly needed book that dives below arguments over the gifts of the Holy Spirit to reintroduce the church to the creative, imminent, and empowering third person of the Trinity. While Jonathan Dodson covers impressive theological and biblical ground to teach about the Spirit, his tone is always warmly pastoral and extremely practical. I came for the insightful biblical pneumatology and stayed for the enjoyable cultural references, gut-wrenching personal anecdotes, and convicting call to befriend and daily seek the Spirit of God.

[Lori Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm, pastoral tone. An approachable discussion on the Holy Spirit - someone I honestly haven't considered much in my day to day.

[Ali C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book a really helpful starting place for understanding the Holy Spirit and how he works. I really appreciate that the book doesn't spend much time addressing the argument over whether the gifts are still active or not, even commenting that "perhaps what has hindered the relationship with the Holy Spirit the most over the past hundred years is an unhealthy preoccupation with his gifts." I feel like this is a great resource for developing a foundational theology for understanding the Holy Spirit.

*I received a free copy of this book through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jonathan Dodson is a creative theological thinker and I've enjoyed his past work (including his sermons). However, this volume on the Holy Spirit was a bit of a letdown. It was as if Dodson wanted to take his readers on a theological deep dive of creative interaction with the Holy Spirit, only to be stunted by his (or his editor's) concern to make sure everything was comprehensible to the lowest levels of popular engagement. If this was, indeed, the case, then his wings were truly clipped for this book. There is little that is fresh and insightful on the Holy Spirit here. If you've read popular level books on the place and benefits of the Spirit in your life, then you'll already know everything in this book. At times, Dodson tries to give a new insight into some overlooked aspect of the Spirit's work in, for instance, the Old Testament, but the exegetical rationale is hard to follow, which, in turn, makes it hard to believe. This, I believe, is where his book could have used more muscle.

One example is his hurried treatment of the parallels between Genesis 1:2 concerning the Spirit "hovering over the face of the waters" (ESV) and Deuteronomy 32:10-11 where Moses sings about God's rescue of Israel "in a desert land...Like an eagle...that flutters over its young" (ESV) [pp 23-24]. Dodson intends for this to demonstrate how the Spirit is always involved in God's new creative work, particularly when God is creating a people for himself (which is true). However, Dodson only tells us that the Deuteronomy text pictures "the Lord hovering over the wilderness like a bird to create a people." Then, he moves on. In my view, the parallel between these two texts is almost non-existent the way Dodson presents it. The Spirit "hovers" (presumably like a bird) in Genesis 1 and the Lord "flutters" like an eagle in Deuteronomy 32. If Dodson is aiming at the lowest level of popular engagement (which is only my assumption based upon how he treats the material in this book), then this connection will not be very convincing. However, this isn't to say he's wrong. In fact, the two Hebrew words ("hover" in Genesis 1 and "flutter" in Deuteronomy) come from the same Hebrew root, and this connection may, in fact, have been evident to the original hearers/readers of these texts. But this is exactly the point. What might have been evident to an old Hebrew is certainly not plainly evident to a modern English reader. Dodson needed to let the reader see his work here in order to make the more convincing case AND offer us a potentially fresh insight into the Spirit's work.

The end product, while not bad in the most negative sense of the word, is ultimately forgettable. In spite of the glowing endorsements inside the book from recognizable names in the evangelical world, this offering will quickly find a home on the pile of forgotten evangelical books that seek to help us "know the Holy Spirit better because we've been neglecting him lately."

[Sherry H. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wasn't thrilled with this book, but it may work for some people. It just didn't draw me closer to the Spirit - I've read other books I've liked better and that ended in a way I felt like I really got to know the Holy Spirit better.

One thing that bothered me was some of the crazy stuff the author wrote. I just can't imagine God oohing and aahing over me.

I just couldn't finish this book.

Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for making this book available for me to review.

[Chasen Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary
An easy to read pneumatology that argues living a life in the Spirit is the best possible life. Dodson paints a Biblical picture of the spirit, provides practical ways to discern the Spirit, and paints an eschatological hope by arguing that the Spirit provides a foretaste of heaven.

Here in Spirit makes a great introduction to the work and witness of the Spirit. Often times Christians conflate the members of the Trinity, but Dodson clearly demonstrates that to be in Christ is to be reliant on the Spirit in which Christ was reliant on.

Quotes:
“In meditation, the spirit strike scripture in prayer together to ignite affection for God and illuminate the soul. “ (46)

“ Our ultimate aim in communion with God, should not be a comprehensive understanding of a passage, nor an emotional experience in prayer, but a fresh encounter with the Lord, which comes through getting a sense of the truth on the heart.“ (46)

“ we tend to pray good theology instead of letting good theology pray. When we pray, good theology, we strive toward everything as though writing a systematic theology. It comes out doctrinally accurate, but relationally cold but good praise us, we simply relate to God of sincere belief and heartfelt trust, as we would a respected Friend.” (84)

“ one reason we do not experience more of the spirits power is that we fill up on other things, alternative power sources, which quenched the Spirit. Three common alternative sources are reason, emotion, and experience.” (104)

“ in an experience, economy, disciples, quickly turn into consumers. Instead of committing ourselves to a life of service, were disposed to expect the church in the faith to serve us. If the preaching isn’t engaging enough, will complain, podcast, another preacher, or just look for another church. I was visiting a church and people from the first service were coming out as my friends and I were going in for the second service. One of my friends asked the first service person how the message was. He responded by saying, you’ll definitely like the music. The musical experience was prized over the preached Word. Instead, we should prize God over the experience. I wonder how the conversation would’ve gone if my friend had asked, “what did God say to you in the message?“ Perhaps we should ask, “what did God say?“ not “how was church?“ (112)

“ two things with us when we wake up – God and our smart phone.” (123)

[Brock Elstro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really solid, simple book on the Holy Spirit. Too many books on the Sprit of God focus too much on just one or a few aspects of the Spirit. But Pr Dodson takes us through history and the whole of scripture to show how the Spirit is so much bigger and more integral than you thought. A great survey of the often neglected third person of the Trinity. It is a simple and pastorally written book, it is a must read for anyone wanting to know more about the Holy Spirit.

[Matthew S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rich book on the spirit! Jonathan carefully and exhaustively explains the relationship and character of the Holy Spirt. I especially enjoyed the anecdotes that helped bring this book to life. This is a great guide into an unfamiliar member of the trinity and enabler of our faith. Praying that it serves you well!

[David Head · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful and accessible exploration of the Christian view of the Holy Spirit. Dodson writes with clarity and simplicity about a teaching that causes much confusion and conflict. But he is not simplistic. He creatively and compellingly describes both the Biblical teaching and the practical living of the doctrine.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really can’t recommend this book enough. I believe it’s the perfect introduction for those seeking to know and understand the spirit more. I found his writing style to be especially engaging, there weren’t any parts that I felt were redundant or repetitive. I believe this is why it was such a satisfying read, it was entirely engaging throughout.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very nice, quick reflection on the Holy Spirit.

[Rocky Woolery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good work on the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians and the Church. It was very complete without touching on many of the issues that would be divisive.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful popular-level discussion of the Holy Spirit full of practical insight coupled with theological soundness.