Preaching With Spiritual Power: Calvin's Understanding of Word and Spirit in Preaching

The nature of the relationship between the Spirit of God and the Word of God has been debated among believers for centuries. Is the Spirit present wherever and whenever the Word is preached?

Ralph Cunnington explores this and in particular the narrow historical theological question of what the Protestant Reformers, in particular John Calvin, actually taught on this topic. With careful and incisive scholarship, and writing that is both clear and cogent, we travel through this question.

Contents

1. The Current Controversy
2. Debate Among the Reformers
3. The Spiritual Presence and the Supper
4. The Spirit – Accompanied Word

Endorsements

"... helpful contribution, cutting through contemporary rhetoric to the actual teaching of the reformers, in its historical context ... a model for those engaged in polemics, and a stimulating study of God's Word."
—Peace and Truth Magazine

"Ralph Cunnington is an excellent guide. With careful and incisive scholarship, and writing that is both clear and cogent, he steers a sure and reliable course..."
—Robert Letham, Wales Evangelical School of Theology, Bridgend, Wales

"... the first book-length treatment of an important issue that has been simmering just under the surface of British Evangelicalism for a number of years... I hope this will not lead to a full-blown controversy, but to a closer examination of the Scriptures."
—Sinclair B. Ferguson, Associate Preacher, St Peter's Free Church, Dundee, Scotland

"... provides a most careful analysis in some depth of the historical data concerning Lutheran and Reformed views of the subject and thereby takes the debate forwards in a very helpful manner."
—Robert Strivens, Principal, London Theological Seminary, London