The Mind of the Spirit: Paul’s Approach
to Transformed Thinking
by Craig S. Keener: Baker Academic 2016. 402 pages.
Paperback: $29.99
Professor
Craig Keener’s stated purpose in writing this book is to show how, for the
Apostle Paul, Word and Spirit “are inextricably bound together,” and that the
life of the mind is not innately opposed to the moving of the Holy Spirit. In
fact, the Spirit often works through the mind of the believer, not solely apart
from rational cognitive processes (contra some in the Pentecostal/Charismatic
camp, who emphasize the Spirit’s bypassing of human thought processes).
As with all of
Dr. Keener’s works, this book is well-researched. The list of abbreviations
alone occupies 22 pages, covering ancient Greek and Latin works, Jewish sources
(Josephus, Philo, Dead Sea Scrolls, Mishnaic and Talmudic texts, and other
rabbinical works), Christian texts (New Testament and Apostolic fathers), and
other ancient, medieval, and modern sources. The bibliography runs for 46 pages,
while the indices of subjects, authors and names, Scripture citations, and
other ancient sources occupies another 76 pages. It is important when reading
this book to read not only the main text, but also the footnotes, which provide
(in addition to source references) key explanations and insights as well.
Keener has done a thorough job of examining the relationship between right thinking
and right living.
