Stephen Barkley
The Holy Spirit by Anthony D. Palma is the resource for a biblically informed Classical Pentecostal theology of the Holy Spirit. Endorsed by George O. Wood, longstanding Assemblies of God minister and former General Superintendent, the book is an almost encyclopedic compendium of scripture references arranged with systematic precision.
The book unfolds in three sections:
- General Pneumatology
- Baptism in the Holy Spirit
- Spiritual Gifts
My biggest challenge with the book was the air of certainty Palma exudes based on insufficient research or idiosyncratic exegesis. For example, he writes, “There is no more inspired revelation comparable to the Old Testament, for prophetic revelation ceased with the closing of the canon with the last prophets (Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi)” (43). The idea that prophecy stopped with Malachi has been strongly challenged by scholars like Urbach, Aune, Overholt, and Greenspahn.
Or, take Palma’s statement about Jesus who “in His earthly state was a Man completely controlled by the Holy Spirit” (67). Jesus completely submitted himself to the Father in the Spirit, but that’s different from control.
This book is the best introduction to a Classical Pentecostal theology of the Holy Spirit that’s readable enough to assign to undergrads—but it’s not without its flaws.
Palma, Anthony D. The Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Perspective. Logion Press, 2001.
