Holy Spirit in Cross-cultural Perspective

Lee Snook, in his provocative publication What in the World Is God Doing?, observes that the African Christian appears more aware of the working of the Holy Spirit than his American counterpart. I would heartily concur with this observation, having been engaged in two short term teaching assignments in Nigeria. With this in mind, the text deals first with the African experience, and then the return home. After which, it touches on the Jesus of history, along with a transition concerning the Spirit of Jesus. This calls for a reality check, before discussing the secular and sacred. Finally, with regard to the future and present. Two appendices recall my earlier publications concerning the Holy Spirit. First, Saga of the Spirit deals with the topic from the perspectives of Biblical, systematic, and historical theology. This served for some time as a course text book. Second, Signature of the Spirit explores the topic as expounded in the two-volume work: Luke/Acts. As such, it considers what may be legitimately attributed to the Spirit.