The Familiar Stranger: (Re)Introducing the Holy Spirit to Those in Search of an Experiential Spirituality
K**R
It takes the whole Bible and weaves the Spirit through from beginning to end.
I am only about 1/4 of the way in the book but I cannot wait to pick it up each day. It is compelling, beautiful and soul changing. The words come alive in my soul as I read. I am drawn deeper to know the Spirit more. Thank you Tyler for your sweet spirit that is evident as you write what the Lord whispers in your ear. I hear it loud and clear and I for one am grateful.
J**D
Beautiful Re-Introduction to The Holy Spirit
This book has been such a gift. Articulately and humbly expressed, Pastor Tyler shares the ways in which we can interact with the Person of The Holy Spirit. It has been a blessing to be actively seeking The Holy Spirit’s “still, small whisper” in my wife and my daily walks and better practicing discernment.
J**N
Beautiful book on the holy spirit and gifts
One of my new favorite books. Tyler takes us on a journey through the spiritual gifts with beautiful and heart breaking stories. It is well balanced, providing answers and clarity while holding the tension of the mystery of God and his ultimate desire for relationship with us. I will re-read this again and again.
A**N
Great book, but starts a little slow.
Staton is obviously writing for an audience of people who are born-again but unsure about the whole “Holy Spirit thing”. He does a great job, but that means that he spends several chapters mostly establishing from the scriptures what he’s going to really dig into later. After that, it’s a great, well-rounded book. If you’re comfortable with the working and presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, you might want to skim the first few chapters. It will be worth it to read this book even if (and perhaps especially) if you come out of a Pentecostal/Charismatic background. Staton comes out of the evangelical tradition, so his views are fresh-sounding and well balanced. I didn’t agree with every little thing he said, but I rarely agree with everything anyone says. The bottom line is that it’s a well written book that comes out of deep study and personal experience.
P**O
Clear, Biblical, and Helpful
Tyler Staton explores who the Holy Spirit is, what the Bible teaches about this member of the Trinity, and how ordinary Christians can more fully experience the Spirit's power and presence in their lives. Staton writes in a down-to-earth style that is clear and easy to understand, and the book's organizational flow is easy to follow. This book centers on biblical teaching, and also includes personal stories from the author's life, and from people he knows. These stories illustrate important concepts, and show readers what it can look like to seek the Spirit in all areas of life. In addition to this, each chapter concludes with practical action steps.The first part explains who the Holy Spirit is, delving into the metaphors used in Scripture to represent the Spirit, and showing the Spirit's role in creation, the Old Testament, Jesus's life, the New Testament church, and the present. The second part of the book uses biblical stories to illustrate the pitfalls of treating spiritual experiences as "everything or nothing," and the third part of the book explores the gifts of the Spirit that are less acknowledged or more controversial in many contemporary Christian churches.Staton acknowledges that gifts such as discernment and prophecy carry risk, since people may abuse them, but he argues that we don't suppress the gift of teaching just because some people misuse that gift. Staton encourages people to see beyond common denominational debates, and to engage with the Scriptural support for pursuing all forms of spiritual growth and gifts, instead of pitting the gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit against each other.All throughout the book, Staton also shows sensitivity to people who have baggage from unhealthy churches that have abused biblical teachings about signs and wonders. The chapter about the gift of healing is especially nuanced and careful, and it carries extra weight because of the author's current battle with cancer. His vulnerable reflections about fighting cancer enrich the chapter about healing, and the one about the Spirit's presence with us in the midst of suffering.This book will be helpful for Christians who are new to learning about the Holy Spirit, and it can be clarifying and healing for people who are familiar with the concepts in this book, but who have baggage from bad church experiences or other lingering questions that make them feel uncertain about what to believe, or what those beliefs should look like in practice. This is a helpful guide to an often-neglected topic, and I appreciate the author's sensitivity and clarity throughout.I received a free copy from the publisher, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
G**D
The best work concerning the work of God through the Holy Spirit!
This is the best explanation of how to understand and work with the Holy Spirit. I now have a much better understanding of what Jesus means by sending His comforter and helper alongside each believer in Him. I have been involved with despensational and charismatic churches. Both are extremes and seem to deny what the scriptures teach or
L**A
So, so good
Tyler Staton has such a gift for weaving in scripture, interpretation, practical applications and storytelling. I loved this book so much and found it so helpful and overall lovely to read.
K**R
Thought provoking book on the Holy Spirit
Tyler digs deep into questions about the Holy Spirit. With personal applications and great wisdom, he explains who the Holy Spirit is and how we get to know Him better. I really like Tyler's heart!
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