Lauren Ducommun

While on the search for systematic theology books for homeschooling the high school years, I stumbled upon a new series from Crossway–Short Studies in Systematic Theology. So far, there are eleven in the series, and I had the pleasure of reading through their short study on the Holy Spirit.

Fred Sanders has written on the doctrine of the Holy Spirit in a friendly and approachable manner in his recent book, The Holy Spirit: An Introduction. Within 157 pages, he helps readers realize what they didn’t know they already knew about the Holy Spirit, and also addresses different aspects which lead one to come away with a grander and fuller appreciation of the Holy Spirit.

I spent the majority of my childhood as a pastor’s kid at Baptist churches, but even so, I heard very little about the Holy Spirit until I went to Bible college and attended a soteriology class. The biblical truths I learned about the Holy Spirit were pivotal in my Christian walk, but even now, in my early thirties, I still know less about the Holy Spirit than other members of the Trinity. I was grateful that Sanders went into more detail about doctrines such as the “doctrine of inseparable operations” or the “doctrine of appropriation”. These were new theological terms for me, and Sanders taught in a very clear, brief, but thorough way.

It’s almost like Michael Reeve’s Delighting in the Trinity married a Systematic Theology book and had a book baby together. The Holy Spirit: An Introduction provides a short, in-depth study of the Holy Spirit that is applicable to new believers but also to older believers as well. Many believers at all stages in their walk may find themselves asking, “What did the Holy Spirit do before Pentecost?” or “What part did the Holy Spirit play in our salvation? Or the Trinity?” If you have wondered about these things, then I recommend picking up this short study!

For those considering adding The Holy Spirit to their high school curriculum, I think this would be an excellent addition for students who already have dipped their toes in systematic theology. With five chapters, this book would be easy to read through a block or a semester. I found it helpful to take notes as I went and summarize different sections. I did find that Sanders was sometimes more wordy than needed, but his repetition also solidified some of the new ideas.

Overall, I am a fan of this new series, and I look forward to picking up another book from the Short Studies in Systematic Theology soon!

The publisher sent me these books in exchange for an honest review.

The Holy Spirit: An Introduction
by Fred Sanders
Crossway, 2023
192 pages