Holy Power, Holy Presence: Rediscovering Medieval Metaphors for the Holy Spirit

Criticism has frequently been leveled at western theology that the Holy Spirit has been neglected in the history of the Christian tradition. In response to that criticism, Elizabeth Dreyer, examining genres rarely studied such as spiritual treatises, letters, sermons, and prayers, documents the creative use of metaphors from the Bible and everyday life that were used to describe the Holy Spirit. The book highlights the centrality of the doctrine of the Trinity and the intimate relationship among the three persons. The author reviews recent developments in the theology of the Holy Spirit and, with questions for reflection in each chapter, helps readers explore ways in which this material might be used today by individuals, parish groups, sacramental preparation, preaching, the classroom and theology. Authors studied: Augustine, Hildegard of Bingen, Bernard of Clairvaux, Bonaventure, Catherine of Siena and Julian of Norwich.