November essay is first in two installments

Readers,

I’ve explored a bit previously about the Holy Spirit as the “water of life” (July’s essay) and got to thinking that the images of water, wind, and fire are all strong in the Bible regarding the Holy Spirit. So I thought about making that a three-essay collection on the Holy Spirit using these three illustrations. Yet when I studied the nature of “life” in the Bible years ago while writing Biblical Classification of Life, I encountered the importance of “spirit” and “wind” not only in the sense of the Holy Spirit, but in the animation of life itself. So, I decided that it was time for a bit of an overview on the topic of spirit in general. This month’s essay will explore the concept of animation–”the life in life”–and next month I will delve a bit deeper into how it is that we breathe, both physiologically and spiritually.

Be patient with some of the biblical vocabulary in this essay. Terms like “soul” and “spirit” are thrown around a lot, and often have common understandings in the church that are not biblically accurate. I don’t know how well I’ve drawn out the meanings and their applications, but I know that when I did my first major studies on this topic years ago, it really helped me to move away from a secular/sacred dichotomy, and begin to see my whole life as Christ’s, and be less compartmentalized in my walk of faith. So I hope that maybe you’ll get something of that out of this.

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  Chard Berndt contributes a monthly essay, investigating the world and our Christian walk in it. Consider his musings and share your comments. Chard teaches high school sciences at Lighthouse Christian School and has earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (University of Colorado) and an M.S. in Science Education (Institute for Creation Research).