Unity and the Holy Spirit

The book "Unity and the Holy Spirit" explores the work of the Holy Spirit in the world, focusing on four different kinds of unity: unity between us and the material world, unity within us, unity between us and others, and unity between us and God. It discusses examples such as the experience of the beautiful and the sublime, gender transition, patriotism, contemplation, and why the Spirit aims at unity, concluding that the Spirit loves.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Unity and the Holy Spirit delves into the profound exploration of the Holy Spirit's role in the world, distinct from the confines of the church. John E. Hare presents a captivating proposal, suggesting that the Spirit endeavors to establish four distinct forms of unity: unity between humanity and the material world, unity within ourselves, unity between us and others, and unity with God. The book unfolds by presenting one exemplary illustration for each of these unity types. The first example revolves around our profound experiences of beauty and sublimity, delving into Kant's account of these experiences through the use of two Beethoven pieces as illustrative examples. The second example centers around gender transition, focusing on a life assigned female at birth. Patriotism serves as the third example, with the discussion exploring the relationship between limited patriotism and the ideal of cosmopolitanism. The fourth example revolves around contemplation, examining various conceptions of this practice, beginning with Aristotle.

In the final chapter, these examples are brought together, seeking to understand the essence of unity itself. Throughout the book, a significant emphasis is placed on the contributions that invoking the work of the Holy Spirit brings to our understanding. As the book concludes, it raises the profound question of why the Spirit aims for unity. The answer, revealed in the final chapter, is that the Spirit loves.

Unity and the Holy Spirit stands as a remarkable culmination in a trilogy of works on ethical theory and the doctrine of the Trinity, following The Moral Gap (OUP, 1996), which delved into the Second Person's work, and God's Command (OUP, 2015), which explored the First Person's work. This book completes a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the multifaceted nature of unity and the Holy Spirit, offering valuable insights into the profound connections between humanity, spirituality, and the divine.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 240 x 163 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192890849