I thought I would post something to explain why my site is called wordandspirit, since a number of my non-Christian friends have assumed that it is something to do with ghosts, and even to Christians the phrase can mean a variety of different things.

Where have you heard the phrase before?

Well there are numerous churches, books and events that all use the phrase in their name. It is a real favourite with evangelical charismatics (which is pretty much what I am). For example, David Pawson’s helpful book on uniting evangelicals and charismatics is called “Word and Spirit Together”.

There are a few places where the two terms appear together in the Bible, but only occasionally are the concepts of the “Word of God” and the “Spirit of God” directly linked in the same verse. Perhaps 2 Sam 23:2 or Acts 4:31 are the origins of the phrase.

Two extremes

You may also have come across the following classic (and rather cheesy) Christian quote:
With the Word but not the Spirit you dry up
With the Spirit but not the Word you blow up
But with the Word and the Spirit you grow up
(I tried to find out who originally said this, but although it is quoted hundreds of times on the web there is no general agreement)

The saying warns against two possible extremes:

First, consider a church that prides itself in being a “Word” church. That is, it places a high importance on being Bible based, having Bible teaching and believing sound Biblical doctrine. It is possible that despite this noble aim, it actually ends up being a place of dry orthodoxy, with a religion that is in the head but not the heart. Little or nothing is experienced of the Spirit of God moving in individual lives. Instead, spiritual wellbeing is viewed as correctly avoiding all doctrinal errors.

Second, consider a church that prides itself in being a “Spirit” church, that is, it places a high importance on encouraging prophecy and tongues and other manifestations of the Spirit in its meetings. It is possible that the Bible becomes neglected, and therefore there is no discernment of what constitutes a genuine work of the Spirit. Anything and everything goes with anyone who cares to question being labelled as judgemental. If left unchecked false teaching and immoral behaviour can creep in undetected.

A false antithesis

But of course in fact there is no conflict between the Word and the Spirit. The Spirit inspired the Word, and when he moves he will not act in contradiction to that Word. Careful Bible study and expository preaching do not quench the Spirit but rather allow him to speak. And there is nothing unbiblical about manifestations or gifts of the Spirit. In fact there is a good deal of attention given in the New Testament to the varied work of the Spirit.

I imagine that every evangelical church would want to characterise themselves as a “Word and Spirit” church, but the two extremes described above are very real dangers. Hopefully the theology expressed on this website will avoid either extreme and fully embrace all that the Word of God has to say and all that the Spirit of God wants to do.

I am well aware that many evangelicals believe it is more or less impossible to hold to charismatic views and still be fully committed to the Bible. I have compiled a list of around 40 criticisms or biblical arguments that I have heard levelled at charismatic churches in recent years. If I find the time I will post some thoughts on these over the coming weeks.

Why Word and Spirit?

Which brings me back to where I started. Why did I call my website wordandspirit? It wasn’t my first choice for a domain name, but it is one I am pleased with. My passion for studying the Word of God is the reason for my commentaries page, book reviews and articles. But I admit that I have posted very little here on the doctrine of the Spirit. This is partly because I am aware that a lot of controversy surrounds this question so I want to be especially careful what I say. It is also because I have been mainly thinking and studying in other areas in recent years.

However, the time has come for me to apply my mind once more to the New Testament teaching on the “charismatic” issues. I have recently finished reading Bruce’s commentary on Acts (which I studied as part of course on Acts with a very Pentecostal emphasis), and I also recently read a short book on the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. I now am beginning some studies in 1 Cor 11-15 for a series of Cell Group meetings in the next few months, which has given me a chance to re-read Don Carson’s “Showing the Spirit” as well as use my NICNT 1 Corinthians commentary by Fee in earnest for the first time. I am anticipating that some articles and blog entries with a charismatic focus will come out of all this over the coming weeks.