BOOK REVIEW: SHOWING THE SPIRIT (D.A. CARSON)

The subject of the Holy Spirit can sometimes leave Christians feeling uncertain or anxious. Questions about spiritual gifts, tongues, prophecy, and miraculous signs often bring confusion and division within the Church. In Showing the Spirit, D.A. Carson offers a careful treatment of 1 Corinthians 12–14, one of the most well-known biblical passages on spiritual gifts, and invites believers to seek both truth and unity as they pursue a life filled by the Spirit.

Carson’s aim is to help readers understand what the apostle Paul actually taught about the work of the Holy Spirit. Rather than approaching the topic from a purely academic stance, Carson carefully walks through the biblical text, explaining Paul’s words in their context. He highlights that the purpose of spiritual gifts is not to draw attention to individuals, but to build up the body of Christ in love. He shows that when the Spirit is truly at work, the result is not chaos or self-promotion, but edification, order, and love within the Church. And this book approached this subject with balance. Carson neither dismisses the supernatural gifts nor allows emotion to override Scripture. Instead, he calls the church to a biblically grounded spirituality—one that honors the Spirit’s work without losing sight of truth and discernment. He reminds us that the greatest evidence of the Spirit’s presence is not a dramatic display of power, but a life transformed by love and obedience to Christ.

While Carson is a respected scholar, this book is written in a way that remains approachable for a more general audience of believers. His tone is gracious and measured, even when addressing controversial topics. He acknowledges the diversity of views within the church but continually points the reader back to the authority of Scripture as the final word on spiritual matters. He begins the book with emphasis on the unity of the church body, and the need for gifts to support that unity. From here, he moves through the topics of analyzing the gifts themselves, and the authority and discipline they must cooperate under within the context of the church’s mission. Carson is very thorough intellectually, as well as pastorally caring, in the manner in which he tackles this sometimes difficult subject.

This book would be a wonderful resource for small groups, ministry leaders, or anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how the Holy Spirit operates in the church today. It can also serve as a helpful bridge for Christians from different traditions who want to discuss spiritual gifts with biblical grounding and mutual respect. Ultimately, Showing the Spirit reminds us that God’s Spirit is given to us for service to others. The Spirit empowers us to love, speak truth, and build up the Church.