Word Studies on the Holy Spirit

"We are familiar with the word “Christology”:which is applied to a study of such passages of God’s Word as speak of “Christ” both by way of evidence, and of doctrine.

In the same way we may use the word “Pneumatology”: as describing a study of all the passages which refer to pneuma, or spirit.

There are works bearing on the subject of “Psychology,” and treating of passages which refer to (psyche) life or soul. Also on the subject of “Physiology,” which has to do with man’s nature as a whole: and is used of man as a complex being, with special reference to the body.

But there is yet room for a work which shall deal specially with the word pneuma.

There has been much written on the subject of the Holy Spirit, both as to Himself and His work: but something is needed which shall embrace a wider Held of inquiry and study. The word pneuma, both in its use and usage, requires more careful and systematic examination than it has yet received. And in this larger range the subject might appropriately be called “Pneumatology.”

Few subjects are of greater importance, or fraught with weightier consequences to our theology, than this: which bears directly upon the Holy Spirit, and upon His operations in connection with the Church of God as a whole, and with the individual experience of the child of God."