3 Minute Theology 1.8: Who is the Holy Spirit?

Three Minute Theology

27 Feb 201503:30

Summary

TLDRThe video script explores the profound symbolism of a child's painting, which accidentally reads 'I live god' instead of 'I love god,' serving as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit's role as the 'lord and giver of life.' It delves into the biblical languages where 'spirit,' 'wind,' and 'breath' share the same root, illustrating God's creative power and life-giving breath. The narrative connects the Holy Spirit to the essence of life, suggesting that true life comes from being spiritually reborn through the Holy Spirit's touch, which aligns with Jesus' teachings on the necessity of spiritual rebirth.

Takeaways

🎨 The daughter's painting of a red flower garden with a misspelled 'I live god' becomes a profound symbol of the essence of life being in loving God.
🌬️ The Holy Spirit is referred to as the 'lord and giver of life', paralleling Jesus as 'lord' and the Father as 'maker of heaven and earth'.
🔤 The play on words in the Bible, where 'spirit', 'wind', and 'breath' are all represented by the same word in the original languages, highlights the Holy Spirit's role in creation and life.
🌐 In the creation story, God's 'ru' (spirit/wind/breath) hovers over the waters, signifying the beginning of creation through the Holy Spirit.
🌊 In the Noah story, God sends 'ru' (wind/spirit) over the waters to recreate life, showing the Holy Spirit's role in renewal and new beginnings.
💭 The first human is given life when God breathes 'nes' (breath of life) into him, indicating that human life is sustained by God's divine spirit.
🌱 The Holy Spirit's breath is essential for life, as stated in the Book of Job, where it's said that God's 'ru' made humans and 'n' gives life.
🌿 The Holy Spirit is not just about physical breath but also about spiritual life, as Jesus explained the need to be 'born of the spirit' to truly live.
🙏 The Holy Spirit brings us to life in the love of God and opens our spirits to the life of Jesus, making us fully alive as God's children.
✝️ The painting, though unintentional, captures the theological truth that all life and breath come from God's spirit, making Him the ultimate Lord and giver of life.

Q & A

What is the significance of the misspelled word 'i live god' in the daughter's painting?
-The misspelled word 'i live god' is significant because it unintentionally conveys a profound message that loving God is the essence of life, which is a central theme in the script.
How does the Holy Spirit relate to the concept of life according to the ancient creeds?
-The ancient creeds refer to the Holy Spirit as the 'lord and giver of life,' suggesting that the Holy Spirit is the source of life and vitality in Christian theology.
What is the connection between the Holy Spirit and the creation stories in the Bible?
-In the creation stories, the Holy Spirit is depicted as God's ru, which can mean spirit, wind, or breath. It is through the Holy Spirit's ru that God creates and brings life to the world.
Why is the word 'ru' significant in understanding the Holy Spirit's role in creation?
-The word 'ru' signifies the Holy Spirit's role in creation because it represents both spirit and breath, highlighting that God's creative power is associated with the breath of life.
How does the concept of 'nes' in the creation story relate to human life?
-The 'nes' or breath of life that God breathed into the first human signifies that human life is not just physical but also spiritual, being connected to the divine breath of God.
What does the phrase 'born of the spirit' mean in the context of the script?
-The phrase 'born of the spirit' refers to the spiritual rebirth that Jesus spoke about, where the Holy Spirit brings individuals to life in a spiritual sense, connecting them to the love of God.
How does the script suggest that the Holy Spirit is involved in the process of spiritual rebirth?
-The script suggests that the Holy Spirit is involved in spiritual rebirth by breathing life into individuals, opening their spirits to the life of Jesus and the love of God.
What is the deeper meaning behind the daughter's painting according to the script?
-The deeper meaning behind the daughter's painting is that it unknowingly represents the Holy Spirit's role in giving life, both physically and spiritually, aligning with the biblical concept of God's ru.
How does the script use the play on words with 'spirit,' 'wind,' and 'breath' to explain the Holy Spirit's work?
-The script uses the play on words to illustrate that the Holy Spirit, as God's ru, is involved in both the creation and the spiritual life of individuals, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's role as the giver of life.
What does the script imply about the necessity of being spiritually alive according to Jesus' teachings?
-The script implies that Jesus taught that being physically alive is not enough; individuals also need to be spiritually alive, which is achieved through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Why does the painting hold a special place in the family's home as described in the script?
-The painting holds a special place because it serves as a reminder of the profound truth that loving God is the essence of life, and it symbolizes the Holy Spirit's work in creation and spiritual rebirth.

Outlines

00:00

🌺 The Essence of Life: Loving God

The paragraph narrates a personal story where the daughter brings home a painting of a red flower garden with a misspelled message 'I live god' instead of 'I love god'. This accidental misspelling is seen as profound, symbolizing that loving God is the essence of life. The story transitions into a theological discussion about the Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, who is described as the 'Lord and giver of life' in ancient creeds. The narrative explores the Hebrew words 'ru' and 'neshamah', which can mean spirit, wind, or breath, and how they relate to the Holy Spirit's role in creation and life. The paragraph concludes by connecting the divine breath to the spiritual life, suggesting that the Holy Spirit is essential for true life, not just physical existence.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is referred to as the 'lord and giver of life' in one of the ancient creeds mentioned in the script. It is the third person of the Christian Trinity and is associated with the divine force that animates and inspires. In the video's narrative, the Holy Spirit is linked to the concept of life and the essence of existence, as illustrated by the daughter's painting and the biblical references to 'ru' or 'nes', which can mean spirit, wind, or breath.

💡Life

The concept of 'life' in the script is multifaceted, encompassing both physical existence and spiritual vitality. It is highlighted through the story of the daughter's painting and the biblical creation narrative, where God's spirit ('ru') is involved in the act of creation and the infusion of life into the first human. The video suggests that true life is not just about physical breathing but also about being spiritually alive through the Holy Spirit.

💡Spirit

In the script, 'spirit' is used to describe the non-physical essence of life, particularly in relation to the Holy Spirit. It is also connected to the Hebrew words 'ru' and 'nes', which can signify both 'spirit' and 'wind' or 'breath'. The video emphasizes that the spirit is the animating force behind all living beings, as seen in the creation story where God's spirit hovers over the waters, and in the idea that the breath of God gives life.

💡Wind

The term 'wind' in the script is used metaphorically to represent the Holy Spirit, particularly in the context of creation. It is mentioned in the biblical story where God's 'ru' (spirit/wind) hovers over the waters before creation, symbolizing the divine presence and the beginning of life. The wind, as an unseen force, mirrors the Holy Spirit's role in giving life and energy to the world.

💡Breath

Breath, or 'nes' in Hebrew, is a recurring theme in the script, signifying life and the divine essence. It is used to describe the act of God breathing life into the first human, thus creating a living being. The video connects the act of breathing to the Holy Spirit's role in giving life, suggesting that the breath we take is a reflection of God's life-giving spirit.

💡Creation

Creation is a central theme in the script, with a focus on how God initiates life through the Holy Spirit. The video references the biblical creation story, where God's spirit ('ru') is involved in the formation of the world and the infusion of life into the first human. It suggests that creation is an ongoing process, with the Holy Spirit continually giving life and vitality.

💡Trinity

The Trinity is a fundamental Christian doctrine that describes the nature of God as three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. The script discusses the unique roles of each person within the Trinity, particularly emphasizing the Holy Spirit as the 'lord and giver of life'. This concept is integral to understanding the video's exploration of the Holy Spirit's role in life and spirituality.

💡Misspelling

The script begins with a story of a misspelling ('i live god' instead of 'I love God') in a child's painting, which serendipitously leads to a profound reflection on the nature of life and love for God. This misspelling serves as a metaphor for the unintentional yet meaningful insights that can emerge from everyday experiences, setting the tone for the video's exploration of deeper spiritual truths.

💡Theology

Theology, the study of the nature of God and religious belief, is indirectly referenced in the script through the daughter's painting and the subsequent discussion of the Holy Spirit. Although the child was not intentionally engaging in theological discourse, her artwork becomes a catalyst for a theological reflection on the Holy Spirit's role in life and creation.

💡Essence of Life

The 'essence of life' is a recurring concept in the script, suggesting that the true meaning of life is found in the spiritual connection with God through the Holy Spirit. The video uses the metaphor of the daughter's painting and the biblical stories to convey that loving God and being spiritually alive is the core of existence.

Highlights

A child's painting with a misspelling 'I live God' instead of 'I love God' becomes a profound symbol for the essence of life.

The painting serves as a reminder that loving God is fundamental to life itself.

The Holy Spirit is described as the 'Lord and giver of life,' aligning with the Father as the 'maker of heaven and earth' and Jesus as 'Lord.'

In the Bible, the word for spirit is the same as the word for wind and breath in Hebrew, highlighting the multiple meanings of 'ruach.'

The creation story mentions God's spirit ('ruach') hovering over the waters before creation began, emphasizing the Holy Spirit's role in creation.

In the story of Noah, God's wind ('ruach') was sent over the water to recreate the earth, further illustrating the Spirit's role in renewal.

Whenever God creates, He does so by sending His Spirit ('ruach').

The breath of life ('neshamah') from God gave life to the first human, reinforcing the idea that the Spirit is vital for life.

Humans need both physical breath ('neshamah') and the divine breath of God to be truly alive.

The Book of Job mentions that the Spirit of God ('ruach') has made humans and given them life.

God's Spirit ('ruach') not only creates but also sustains life; when He withdraws it, life ceases, but when He sends it, life is renewed.

The child's painting insightfully connects with the idea that everything alive and breathing does so by God's Spirit ('ruach').

Jesus taught that being alive physically is not enough; one must be brought to life spiritually as well.

To be 'born of the Spirit' is necessary to be alive to the love of God, according to Jesus' teachings.

The Holy Spirit brings individuals alive to the love of God and opens their spirits to the life of Jesus, reinforcing the idea of spiritual rebirth.