The Familiar Stranger: (Re)Introducing the Holy Spirit to Those in Search of an Experiential Spirituality

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.

I have read many books on the HS. Many were very theologically correct but disconnected from life. Others were basically testimonial and absent of theology. Happy to say Tyler Staton in this book brings both together. Get book. Enriching!

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.

One of my favorit books

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.

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!

I can't say enough about this book! I've been in the Lord for 45 years. Recently the Lord directed me to go deeper in my understanding of Holy Spirit and my relationship with him. Folks, there's always more. You will find more in this book. I also recommend John Bevere's book "Holy Spirit, an Introduction". The title sounds like it's just for beginners, but it's NOT.

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.