Volume 13.1
Essays on a Theology of the Spirit
Spring 2026

The Holy Spirit has ever been at the center of ecclesial identity. From his outpouring at Pentecost onward, it has been the Spirit who empowers believers to boldly proclaim the gospel, identifies leaders, and directs church councils. Furthermore, in the Holy Spirit the church is unified and gifts are given for the building up and equipping of believers for their work of witness in the world. The Spirit opens avenues for ministry and closes others. The Spirit leads disciples of Christ to understand truth. The Spirit gives life. As the late John Webster puts it, “the Holy Spirit animates the church” (John Webster, Holiness [Eerdmans, 2003], 3).

Because this is so, the Holy Spirit is also central to the identity of the pastor theologian. The nature of the pastor theologian’s work is to shepherd the church. Not only does that calling come at the behest of the Spirit, those called to the labor also depend on the Spirit’s ongoing work to fulfill the task appointed them. It is the Holy Spirit who builds the temple of new covenant. Unless he builds, pastor theologians labor in vain; because he builds, they labor in hope.

Recognition of spiritual dependency also animates the work of the Center for Pastor Theologians. The mission of the CPT is to form pastor theologians so that they might faithfully shepherd the church in a very complex world, a mission which can only be fulfilled if it is the Holy Spirit who leads and empowers. The Fellows of the CPT have recently concluded a year of reflecting on our pneumatological dependency, exploring together what it means to serve Christ’s church as those who are led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The articles in the present volume are some of the fruits of that reflection.

Each of the articles, in its own way, acknowledges and explores what it means to depend on the Holy Spirit to fulfill the calling of the pastor theologian. In the opening article, Adam Copenhaver provides a definition of preaching to help preachers reflect on what they are called to offer the church week after week. Both implicitly and explicitly, Copenhaver acknowledges this takes place by the power of the Spirit. Only because that is the case can preachers step again into the pulpit. Paul Morrison then works through three levels of theological triage through the lens of the unity given by the Holy Spirit to the church. Morrison challenges believers to uphold this unity while refraining from attempts to usurp the authority of the Spirit. Preserving Spirit-given unity, especially in days fraught with division and suspicion, requires Spirit-given wisdom. Jim Samra then explores the work of the Spirit to give wisdom throughout Scripture, posing the tantalizing question of whether Solomon was right in the request he made to God for understanding. Finally, Austin Shaw reflects on the need for discernment in the pastoral art of soul care. Examining Gregory the Great’s classic Pastoral Rule, he offers ways pastor theologians can grow in their ability to ably shepherd the flock the Lord has given into their care, growth which comes only through the work of the Holy Spirit.

Only by the working of the one who gives life will the church be equipped to fulfill its calling the world. Only by relying on the Holy Spirit will pastor theologians shepherd the church in that calling. We, the editors, recommend these articles to you as explorations of what it means to serve the body of Christ in dependence on the Holy Spirit.