Author: Charles R. Swindoll

Reviewed 05/09/09 By: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., LCPC, Authof of Soul Physicians, Spiritual Friends, Beyond the Suffering, Sacred Friendships

Recommended: A ground-breaking, irenic, balanced book on how Cessationists can experience the Person and ministry of the Holy Spirit today.

Review: Enjoying and Experiencing the Holy Spirit

Though somewhat dated (published in 1993) Flying Closer to the Flame: A Passion for the Holy Spirit, in many ways can be considered a classic in the genre. When he wrote it, Chuck Swindoll, was President of the non-Charismatic, cessationist Dallas Theological Seminary and thus shocked the Evangelical world by his authorship of this book.

Swindoll writes not primarily a theological workbook or a “two-fisted, negative warning against all the errors floating around” (p. 13). Instead, in the heat of the theological battle, he wants to urge non-charismatics closer to the heat of the Holy Spirit.

He is unafraid to touch on areas often ignored by non-charismatics such as “unidentified inner promptings,” the Spirit and our emotions, and sickness and healing. While never straying from historic non-charismatic teachings, and while always tying his assertions directly to the text, Swindoll explains how the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to speak to our spirit.

As a counselor, I appreciate Swindoll’s repeated return to a comprehensive understanding of the image of God in us. His theological understanding of the imago Dei guides his exegesis both when addressing inner promptings and when explaining the Spirit and our emotions.