Jim Hamilton, a New Testament professor at the Houston campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, is one of the most energetic and prolific young scholars in conservative Protestantism today. He is a recent doctoral graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, completing his dissertation under the supervision of Thomas R. Schreiner. His first book, God’s Indwelling Presence: The Holy Spirit in the Old and New Testaments, was released yesterday by B&H Academic. You should read it.
This volume, the first in a series of books on biblical and theological themes set in conjunction with the New American Commentary series, takes up the question of how believers ought to understand the “newness” of the Holy Spirit’s work in the new covenant. Hamilton argues that old covenant saints were regenerate, but did not experience the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a reality that comes, he argues, only with the eschatological Temple built through Jesus’ atoning work.
Perhaps the most beneficial part of the book comes at the end with Hamilton’s application of his study to Southern Baptist churches. The radical newness of the new covenant, he asserts, means a serious commitment to the priesthood of believers, congregational discipleship, and formative and corrective church discipline.
I enjoyed this book and think you will too if you have an interest in understanding the power and presence of the Spirit. While you’re at it, you might check out Hamilton’s excellent article in the most recent issue of the Southern Baptist Journal of Theology. Exploring the theme of head crushing through the canon, Hamilton’s article demonstrates a keen grasp of biblical theology and a refreshing understanding of the unity of the canon.
