De relatieve zelfstandigheid van de heilige geest

Abstract

Until the 20th century theologians paid little attention to the work of the Holy Spirit in the world. As a result of ecumenical theology there came more interest for the cosmological aspects of pneumatology. The most fundamental question in connection with this issue is that of the manner in which the Holy Spirit is operating in our world. Is the work of the Holy Spirit in this word put in operation without the activity of the Bible and the church so that we can indicate a direct way from the Spirit to the cosmos or is the Spirit working in this world through the Bible, the Church and through the faithful members of the Church? It is not compatible with the teaching of the Bible to disconnect the work of the Spirit from the Word of God and the Church. In some matters the Spirit as a Person is fully independent, but it is impossible to accept a work in the world in which the Bible and the Church are not involved.