What is Born of the Spirit is Spirit

A Biblical Spirituality of Spirit

Mark G. Boyer

• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN:
  9781532697135
  9781532697142
• eBook ISBN:
  9781532697159
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Biblical Studies

What is Born of the Spirit is Spirit provides reflections on Scripture texts associated with (Holy) Spirit and (human) spirit. Various aspects of Spirit and spirit are explored in one-hundred-five entries. The subtitle, A Biblical Spirituality of Spirit, indicates the ways biblical authors are inspired to present imaginatively what cannot be pictured: Spirit and spirit. This book attempts to recover the spirituality of biblical stories that narrate how the Spirit connects to spirit and the results of such connectivity. By exploring the use of biblical metaphors and similes we develop a spirituality of Spirit, the way human spirit is in the presence of the divine Spirit. Spirituality is Spirit connecting to spirit. It is Spirit giving birth to spirit (John 3:6).

1

God and Spirit

Spirit in Spirit 1

Scripture: O LORD, “Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?” (Ps 139:7)

Reflection: The singer of Psalm 139 stops after six verses of expressions about how the LORD fully knows him or her through actions, thoughts, lifestyle, and speech to ask two key questions: “Where can I go from your spirit? . . . [W]here can I flee from your presence?” (Ps 139:7) Our spirits are surrounded by Spirit. We exist within God’s Spirit. We cannot escape from God presence either in heaven, the world above, or in Sheol, the world below (Ps 139:8), and certainly not on the earth, the world in between the other two. We cannot know “whether the human spirit goes upward and the spirit of animals goes downward to the earth” (Eccl 3:21). According to the OT (A) book of Wisdom, “. . . [T]he spirit of the Lord has filled the world . . .” (Wis 1:7a). Since we, spirit, live in the world, we exist within, we breathe in, we live in God’s Spirit. The RM expresses this idea as being moved by the divine Spirit.1

The fact of the matter is that we, spirit, desire a deeper connection to Spirit. Some of us watch the last dots of darkness be blotted out by the first streaks of light in the eastern sky. Sitting or standing we get caught up in the beautifully streaked beginning of a new day, and without even speaking a word we know that spirit has been touched by Spirit. According to the psalmist, the darkness is not dark to the LORD; “the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to [him]” (Ps 139:12). These words are also applicable to gazing at the western streaked sky at sunset as the last dots of light disappear and all is enveloped in darkness. Caught up in that singly, solitary moment, we feel our spirit connected to the Spirit. We are surrounded by Spirit, and we know Spirit has touched spirit deeply and profoundly. The Spirit has come near.2

Journal/Meditation: When have you most recently been aware of your spirit being moved by Spirit? Narrate the experience.

Prayer: You formed my innermost self, O LORD, knitting me together in my mother’s womb and filling me with spirit. Awaken me day by day to the presence of your Spirit, with whom you live now and forever. Amen.

Sent from on High

Scripture: “Who has learned your counsel, [O God,] unless you have given wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high?” (Wis 9:17)

Reflection: In the world of biblical composition, the presupposition was that there are three levels: the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. Because each designates a place where there is life—God lives above the heavens, people live on the earth, and the dead live in Sheol—God sends his Spirit from the heavens—from on high according to the OT (A) book of Wisdom—to people on the earth. This same idea is reflected in Luke’s Gospel in the CB (NT). The Lukan Jesus states, “[T]he heavenly Father give[s] the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Luke 11:13). Similarly, Paul tells the elders of the church of Ephesus to keep watch over all the flock “of which the Holy Spirit has made [them] overseers” (Acts 20:28). In the CB (NT), the best statement that aligns with the one found in the book of Wisdom is located in John’s Gospel. The Johannine Jesus tells his disciples, “. . . [T]he Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).

Biblically, the Spirit is sent by God the Father in heaven to connect to the spirit of those who inhabit the earth. This is the way that people receive God’s counsel, his advice, frequently called discernment. When Spirit connects to spirit, something in a person’s life that is not very clear becomes obvious, something not understood becomes knowledge, something not clearly distinguished from something else becomes apparent. Should I take the job offer? Should I move to a new city? Should I propose marriage? Should I buy the car I looked over yesterday? Should I buy the house I toured last weekend? When such questions present themselves to us, why not consult God on high spirit to Spirit? You may be surprised by the answer you receive!

Journal/Meditation: Most recently, when have you consulted God spirit to Spirit? About what did you consult God? What counsel did you receive?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, send your Spirit to connect to my spirit that I may know your will and do it. Through your Spirit, teach me everything that I need to see, understand, and distinguish. Hear me in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son, now and forever. Amen.

Spirit is Life

Scripture: “When you send forth your spirit, [O LORD, your works] are created; and you renew the face of the ground.” (Ps 104:30)

Reflection: When Spirit is sent to spirit, the result is life. Psalm 104 references this fact in terms of ongoing creation and the renewal of life that ensues. A similar idea is expressed in a song by Judith in the OT (A) book that bears her name: “Let all your creatures serve you, [O Lord,] for you spoke, and they were made. You sent forth your spirit, and it formed them . . .” (Jdt 16:14). Likewise, creation is the subject of Elihu’s first speech to Job: “The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4). All of these references are meant to echo the fertile wind from God sweeping over the waters in the HB (OT) book of Genesis (1:2). The RM identifies the wind in Genesis with the Spirit, who, at the first moments of creation, hovered over the waters.3 In Hebrew, ruach is the word for breath, spirit, and wind.

In the Greek language of the CB (NT), pneuma is the word for breath, spirit, and wind. This leads Paul in his Letter to the Romans to declare, “. . . [T]he Spirit is life . . .” (Rom 8:10). The Spirit of God gives life to our mortal bodies (Rom 8:11). Living according to the Spirit means we live abundantly (Rom 8:13). In his First Letter to the Corinthians, the apostle presents the first man, Adam, as the one who received the breath of life from God. However, the second man, Christ, who came from heaven, became a life-giving spirit (1 Cor 15:45, 47). Every breath we take and every bit of wind we feel is Spirit connecting to our spirit, giving us life, filling our sails, and giving us a hint of resurrection life to come.

Journal/Meditation: Stop for a few minutes and become aware of your breath, both inhaling and exhaling. Now raise your consciousness to awareness that you are breathing divine Spirit that enlivens your spirit. What appreciation for life does this awakening give you?

Prayer: O LORD, how manifold are all your works, which you have ma...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Abbreviations
• Notes on the Bible
• Notes on The Roman Missal
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: God and Spirit
• Chapter 2: Spirit as Gift
• Chapter 3: Spirit Speaks
• Chapter 4: Powerful Spirit
• Chapter 5: Spiritual Results
• Chapter 6: Water and Spirit
• Chapter 7: Led by the Spirit
• Chapter 8: Miscellaneous Spirit
• Chapter 9: Evil Spirit
• Bibliography
• Recent Books by Mark G. Boyer published by Wipf & Stock