Getting Real: Pneumatological Realism and the Spiritual, Moral, and Ministry Formation of Contemporary Christians
Ebook
Overview
Some reputable sociological research indicates that a surprising number of evangelical churchgoers are living out a version of the Christian life that's more informed by the values of the surrounding culture than by the discipleship teachings of Jesus and his apostles. Viewing the cause of this disturbing trend in the church to be a "discipleship deficit" that's exacerbated by a "pneumatological deficit," Gary Tyra has written a book that addresses both. In this work, Tyra encourages evangelical Christians of all stripes to become more fully aware of the tremendous difference it makes when the Holy Spirit is experienced in ways that are real and existentially impactful, rather than merely theoretical, conceptual, and/or ritualistic. Intended to be read by church leaders as well as by students in Christian colleges and seminaries, the message here is that the cure for the ministry malady currently confronting us is the recovery of a robust, fully Trinitarian doctrine of the Spirit. A pneumatological realism, says Tyra, combined with an understanding of just how important a spiritual, moral, and missional faithfulness is to a genuine Christian discipleship, can revitalize the lives of individual Christians and churches, making it possible for them to reach their post-Christian peers for Christ!
“In this well-written volume Gary weaves together the themes of discipleship, missional thinking, and the Holy Spirit, to come up with a book that will serve to strengthen the church and enhance our witness to Jesus and his kingdom.”
—Alan Hirsch, Author of The Forgotten Ways, 5Q, and Untamed
“Once again, Gary Tyra has delivered the goods! His long experience as a pastor and the years he has spent teaching university students have led to this significant work. He calls us to anticipate a life-transforming encounter with the triune God through the Holy Spirit.”
—Cecil M. Robeck, Jr. Senior Professor of Church History and Ecumenics
“A superb pastoral theology—theologically and biblical informed, but accessible and geared toward ministry leaders. Tyra contends that the tangible experience of the Holy Spirit can renew the church from the vacuous moralistic deism and cultural Christianity so widespread in contemporary North America.”
—Steve Studebaker, Associate Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology
“Gary Tyra has given us a timely treatise to effectively address a great need in the Church today—a theological reflection that will undoubtedly stimulate the disciplined mind of academia while being practical from a wealth of pastoral experiences . . . It would be a great addition to the library of the serious student of God’s Word.”
—Dan deLeon, Senior Pastor at Templo Calvario Church
“Pastor-Theologian Gary Tyra encourages a real dependence on the Holy Spirit to produce fully formed disciples—for mission, morality, and spirituality. He pushes back against pastoral practice that inadvertently fails to seek the presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the care of souls.”
—Bill Dogterom, Professor of Pastoral Ministries and Spiritual Formation
“Gary Tyra has written a perceptive, instructive and much-needed clarion call to leaders of the theological academy and of the church . . . Getting Real does path-clearing, prolegomenon kind of work for pastors and theologians alike as they seek to root and nurture a faithful, moral-spiritual formation and maturation of Jesus’ whole-life learners.”
—Joseph E. Gorra, Co-author of A Reasonable Response: Answers to Tough Questions on God, Christianity and the Bible
“I think the church in North America today is entering into ‘the age of the Holy Spirit.’ It is a time when we must learn to engage in, listen to and experience the life and ministry of the Spirit in new and concrete ways. This book provides important theological and practical guidance to the church in this new age. It is very much attuned to what God is doing in the church today.”
—Lee Beach, Associate Professor of Christian Ministry at McMaster Divinity College
“Combining a rich biblical-theology with an eye toward the church’s application, Gary has done a wonderful job grounding the Christian faith in a pneumatological reality that challenges (and corrects) the still influential Platonic dualism. Retrieving a profound sense of awareness to the Spirit’s work, Getting Real will do nothing less than strengthen us to ‘walk in the Spirit’ as we embody the reality of Christ’s kingdom.”
—Luke Geraty, Pastor at Red Bluff Vineyard Church
“Gary Tyra has laid down an authentic challenge to all Christian believers, particularly the young, to ‘get real’ with God. This pneumatological realism, as Tyra calls it, can only be experienced through a genuine encounter with the person of the Holy Spirit. I wholeheartedly recommend that you ‘get real.’”
—Derrick R. Rosenior, Director of the Lewis Wilson Institute for Pentecostal Studies
“Getting Real offers a nuanced treatise about the real, practical, active and personal role of the Holy Spirit without losing the sacredness of the divine. Gary Tyra’s book will be a blessing to both pastor and congregation.”
—Doug Petersen, Distinguished Professor at Vanguard University
Product Details
- Title : Getting Real: Pneumatological Realism and the Spiritual, Moral, and Ministry Formation of Contemporary Christians
- Authors:
- Tyra, Gary
- Macchia, Frank D.
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Publication Date: 2018
- ISBN: 9781498292320
Gary Tyra is Professor of Biblical and Practical Theology at Vanguard University of Southern California. He is the author of six previously published works, including The Holy Spirit in Mission (2011), A Missional Orthodoxy (2013), and Pursuing Moral Faithfulness (2015). In addition to his work in the academy, Tyra has pastored three churches over a thirty-year period, one of which was a church plant.