Listening to the Spirit in the Text

Fee, Gordon D. “Listening to the Spirit in the Text", Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000. ISBN: 0802847579. 180 pages. Paperback.

Reviewed by Henry Neufeld

Dr. Gordon Fee is an outstanding and well respected exegete. I have previously recommended his commentary on 1 Corinthians in the New International Commentary on the New Testament series. In this small book, Dr. Fee collects a number of essays on various topics of interest to students of the Bible, and especially of the Pauline corpus.

I found his presentation extremely clear as always. These essays examine briefly a number of significant issues. I have found myself recommending one or another of them to someone as background reading constantly since I read this book.

This book will fill an important need for those who want to get beyond merely a dry reading of the letter of the Bible, and want to hear God speak to them personally through its pages. While he is an extraordinary exegete, Dr. Fee is not afraid to present his faith and spiritual experience as a part of his work.

The book is divided into two sections.

1. The Text and the Life in the Spirit

Exegesis and Spirituality: Completing the Circle
"I begin with the singular and passionate conviction: that the proper aim of all true theology is doxology." This is the tone of this essay. I found myself challenged to constantly go beyond studying about God, and to encounter God.

Reflections on Commentary Writing
Dr. Fee relates some experiences in writing his commentary on 1 Corinthians. IN many ways, this is an example of carrying out the material in the first chapter.

On Being a Trinitarian Christian
I wish every Christian who claims to be Trinitarian would read this chapter.

Some Reflections on Pauline Spirituality
This will give you a new perspective on Paul and spirituality.

The New Testament View of Wealth and Possessions
In a time when many Christians are teaching wealth as the sure sign of God's blessing, this chapter is an excellent corrective, without being unbalanced in the other direction.

Gender Issues: Reflections on the Perspective of the Apostle Paul
A serious look at Paul and gender, which both takes Paul seriously and does not try to bind the church to 1st century practices.

The Bishop and the Bible
In this one, I must admit I think he was a bit hard on Bishop Spong, though I admit he made some serious points.

2. The Text and the Life of the Church

The Holy Spirit and Worship in the Pauline Churches
This challenged my view of worship by looking at the clues available to the way worship was conducted in the early church.

Toward a Pauline Theology of Glossolalia
Easily the best short article on the subject of speaking in tongues I have ever encounterd.

Laos and Leadership under the New Covenant
A challenge to take the principles of leadership from the early church and apply them to our various forms of organization. Dr. Fee doesn't call for a return to some concept of the early church's structure; rather, he calls on us to apply the principles in our current circumstances.

Reflections on Church Order in the Pastoral Epistles
Dr. Fee suggests that the pastorals should not, as is almost universally done, be viewed as a sort of church manual. Judging by my underlining, this chapter caught my attention the least, but the basic thesis is worth serious consideration.

The Kingdom of God and the Church's Global Mission
Is the kingdom of God present or future?

I strongly recommend this book for those interested in application and exposition of the scriptures.