God’s Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old And New Testaments (Nac Studies in Bible & Theology)
Jim Hamilton, the author, is an Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. This book is the fruit of his Ph.D. dissertation done at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary under the direction of Dr. Tom Schreiner.
I was introduced to God’s Indwelling Presence by a recent interview aired by Reclaiming the Mind Ministries in which Dr. Hamilton addresses specific questions such as: How did the Holy Spirit relate to believers before the glorification of Christ? How does he relate to believers now? Were Old Testament believers born again (that is, did they experience regeneration)? And if so, does that mean they were indwelt by the Holy Spirit? Are there new ways in which the Holy Spirit works today in the lives of Christians?
I found Dr. Hamilton’s answers clear and compelling. Briefly, Hamilton argues that Old Testament saints were born again, but that regeneration is not to be equated with the covenant presence of God with His people (i.e., indwelling). The Holy Spirit, today, enables us to believe and persevere (regeneration), but also mediates God’s presence to us in covenant blessing (indwelling). So after the glorification of Christ, regeneration and continual indwelling occur simultaneously (or concurrently) for believers. But that was not the experience of regenerate Israelites in Old Testament days.
In light of the above, I believe God’s Indwelling Presence offers a provocative thesis for those with either a dispensational or a covenantal background. I gladly commend it to you.
The blurbs:
“A question thoughtful Christians, along with biblical scholars and theologians, have long asked is whether believers under the old covenant had the indwelling presence of the Spirit as those in the new covenant are promised. Hamilton’s work provides the most extensive treatment of this question currently available and makes a compelling case for the radical newness of the Spirit’s indwelling. Here believers are led to understand more fully the powerful resources Christ has given His followers in sending to them the promised Holy Spirit.”
–Bruce A. Ware
Senior Associate Dean, School of Theology
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
“Through careful scholarship, Dr. Hamilton provides an innovative interpretation of the biblical evidence. His study contributes helpfully not only to the ongoing discussion regarding how the two Testaments are interconnected, but sheds new light on the important topic of the Holy Spirit’s role in enabling believers from both Testaments to be reconciled to God. Students of Scripture will find much here that is both enlightening and information.”
–T. Desmond Alexander
Union Theological College, Belfast
“Jim Hamilton engages the controversial topic of the Spirit’s indwelling with a lively and vibrant style. He has done an outstanding job in assessing the evidence and argues well for his own proposal. Even those who do not agree with all of his conclusions will profit from this careful study of the biblical text.”
–Thomas R. Schreiner
James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary