An old Pentecostal riff, in shadowy imitation of Christopher Smartt .
Why celebrate Pentecost?
Because the Spirit is the hovering wind that forms the formlessness, fills the void, brightens the darkness.
Because the Spirit is the breath that gives Adam life.
Because the Lord comes into the garden in the Spirit of the day to breathe out judgment to Adam and Eve.
Because the Spirit strives with flesh.
Because the Spirit equips Bezalel and Oholiab with wisdom to make furnishings for the tabernacle.
Because the Spirit blows back the waters of the flood, and the waters of the Red Sea, and the nations of Canaan.
Because the Spirit is the armor of Othniel, Gideon, Jephthah, Samson, Saul, David, and Jesus.
Because the Spirit was not taken from David.
Because the Spirit filled Solomon’s temple so that the priests could not stand.
Because the Spirit of Elijah came upon Elisha, and lifted Ezekiel to carry him to the temple in Jerusalem.
Because the Spirit renews the face of the ground, and makes dry bones live.
Because God has put His Spirit in us so that we can walk in His statutes, commandments, and laws.
Because the Spirit descends like a dove, and He is the finger of God that casts out demons.
Because the Spirit brings good news to the poor.
Because the Spirit enables sons and daughters to prophecy, see visions, and dream dreams.
Because it is by one Spirit that we have access to the one Father.
Because the law of the Spirit of life has set us free from the law of sin and death.
Because we are baptized and sealed by one Spirit into one body, to produce His fruits.
Because the seven Spirits are the eyes of the Lord that range to and fro throughout the earth.
Because the Spirit and bride say, Come.
Lest we grieve the Spirit.
Peter Leithart
Peter J. Leithart is President of Theopolis Institute. He is the author of numerous books on theology, literature, and culture, including Theopolitan, Defending Constantine, and Baptized Body.
More from Pentecost
Continue reading related articles
Pentecostal Civilization
During Advent, my pastor, Rich Lusk, preached on Zephaniah. A couple of his sermons are relevant to current debates concerning Christian nationalism ( here and here ). Rich’s text was Zephaniah 3, and he focused attention on verse 9: “For then I will give to the peoples purified lips, that…
Pentecost and Enlightenment
The following was originally published in 2013 at FirstThings.com . When Israel’s prophets predict the future coming of the Spirit, their next thought is almost always about the renewal of creation. According to Joel, the Spirit’s coming will turn Israel into Big Rock Candy Mountain”wine tricklin’ down the mountains, a…
Divine Humanity
Pentecost is the climax of our redemption, the fulfillment of our human destiny. Jesus isn’t done when He dies on the cross, and His work isn’t finished when He takes up His life again. He isn’t finished when He ascends to heaven. Jesus’ founding work of redemption isn’t done until…
In Medias Res
Your weekly digest for all things Theopolis.