The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the controversial question of the theological continuity between the Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The writer refers to and cites from relevant literature on the subject to establish the relationship and meaning of "ruach" in the Old Testament for the Holy Spirit and "pneuma" in the New Testament. Examples are given from the Old Testament of passages where "ruach," also translated as breath or wind, refers to the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is also seen as a means of knowledge and understanding that is provided by God, as, for example, when the Spirit acts as a guide in leading Israel out of Egypt in Exodus. Another aspect is the relationship between a pure heart and the infusion of the Spirit of God, as in Psalm 51 where David pleads with God, referring directly to the Holy Spirit of God in his earnest request for inner cleansing and for the Spirit not to be taken away from him.

Outline:
Introduction: an Overview of Theological Perspectives
Examples of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The question of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament is a matter than has raised a considerable amount of controversy. On the one hand there is the view that there are very few references to the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, at least in the sense that it is referred to in the New Testament. However, on the other hand many scholars and theologians refer to a much broader and more inclusive and continuous understanding of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. This point is clearly summarized by Mcdonnell (1998) in a discussion of the terms 'ruach' and 'pneuma'."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baab, Otto J. The Theology of the Old Testament. New York: Abingdon Press, 1949. Book on-line. Available from Questia, http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=207821. Internet. Accessed 7 October 2008.
• "BibleGateway". Available from http://www.biblegateway.com/; Internet; accessed 7 October 2008.
• Del Colle, Ralph. "The Holy Spirit: Presence, Power, Person." Theological Studies 62, no. 2 (2001): 322. Database on-line. Available from Questia, http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5001016556. Internet. Accessed 7 October 2008.
• Eichrodt, Walther. Theology of the Old Testament. Translated by Baker, J. A. Vol. 2. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1967. Book on-line. Available from Questia, http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=85792372. Internet. Accessed 7 October 2008.
• Mcclary, Susan. Feminine Endings: Music, Gender, and Sexuality. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2002. Book on-line. Available from Questia, http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=114248087. Internet. Accessed 7 October 2008.

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