3 Minute Theology 1.8: Who is the Holy Spirit?

Summary

The 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.