Spirit of Holiness

Christian Alexander

[In the] “Gospel according to the Hebrews … the Saviour himself says, ‘Just now my mother, the Spirit of Holiness, took me by a lock of hair and lifted me up to great Mount Tabor.’” (Origen Commentary on John 2.12.87). Who is the Spirit of Holiness and how is it found in the biblical text? I looked in factbook but did not see anything. The biblical text only has one verse re "Spirit of Holiness". Romans 1:4 NASB20: "who was declared the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord," I see a correlation to Matthew 26:63-65. Is this possible? 

Dave Hooton

The biblical text only has one verse re "Spirit of Holiness". Romans 1:4 NASB20: "

Correct. And that Spirit is easily identified by a right-click on 'holiness'.

[In the] “Gospel according to the Hebrews … the Saviour himself says, ‘Just now my mother, the Spirit of Holiness, took me by a lock of hair and lifted me up to great Mount Tabor.’”

The full quote from your source is "If any one should lend credence to the Gospel according to the Hebrews, where the Saviour Himself says, My mother, the Holy Spirit took me just now by one of my hairs and carried me off to the great mount Tabor, he will have to face the difficulty of explaining how the Holy Spirit can be the mother of Christ when it was itself brought into existence through the Word."

I see a correlation to Matthew 26:63-65. Is this possible? 

This is Jesus not denying it, but who confirmed this assertion?

MJ. Smith

When you don't know how to tackle a topic, are you trying the suggestion to use ChatGPT or BARD? in this case I asked "What is meant by "Spirit of Holiness" in Origen's Commentary on John 2.12.87":

The interpretation of "Spirit of Holiness" in Origen's Commentary on John 2.12.87 is complex and open to debate due to the historical context and nuances of early Christian theology. Here's what we know:

Origen's context:

• Origen was a prominent theologian in the 3rd century who held unorthodox views compared to later established Christian doctrines.

• He emphasized the allegorical and mystical interpretation of scripture, often going beyond the literal meaning.

• His views on the Trinity and other aspects of Christian theology were later deemed heretical.

Possible interpretations of "Spirit of Holiness":

• Literal interpretation: Referring to the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, closely associated with holiness and sanctification.

• Allegorical interpretation: Representing a divine attribute or power of God associated with holiness, not necessarily distinct from the Father or Son.

• Origen-specific interpretation: Related to his unique understanding of Christology, potentially linking the "Spirit of Holiness" to the pre-incarnate Christ or even Sophia (Wisdom).

Challenges in interpretation:

• Lack of clarity in Origen's own writing, as he often used ambiguous language and layered meanings.

• The evolving development of Christian doctrines after Origen's time, making his views appear inconsistent with later orthodoxy.

• The subjective nature of theological interpretation, where different scholars draw varying conclusions based on their own perspectives.

Further exploration:

• Reading the specific passage in Origen's Commentary (John 2.12.87) with additional context from surrounding sections.

• Consulting scholarly analyses of Origen's theology and specific interpretations of the "Spirit of Holiness" phrase.

• Considering different theological perspectives on the Holy Spirit and Christology to better understand potential meanings.

Important note:

It's crucial to remember that Origen's views were not ultimately adopted by mainstream Christianity, and his interpretation of "Spirit of Holiness" might not align with contemporary theological understanding. However, studying his work provides valuable insights into the historical development of Christian thought and diverse interpretations of scripture.

Or when I asked "What does the Gospel of the Hebrews mean by Spirit of Holiness?"

The Gospel of the Hebrews, unfortunately, is lost to us with only surviving fragments quoted by early Church Fathers. This makes understanding its specific meaning of "Spirit of Holiness" quite challenging. However, here's what we can glean from the available snippets and broader historical context:

Key points:

• Distinctive Christology: Unlike the canonical gospels, the Gospel of the Hebrews seems to have attributed a feminine aspect to the Holy Spirit, even referring to it as Jesus' "Divine Mother." This aligns with Jewish-Christian wisdom traditions where the Spirit is associated with Divine Wisdom.

• Limited information: Our knowledge primarily comes from quotes like, "My mother, the Holy Spirit, took me by one of my hairs and carried me away on to the great mountain Tabor." These glimpses suggest a close connection between Jesus and the Spirit, possibly emphasizing its role in his guidance and empowerment.

• Fulfillment of Prophecy: The Spirit seems linked to the prophecy of Isaiah 11:2 about the Spirit resting upon the Messiah, indicating its association with divine anointing and power.

Challenges and interpretations:

• Fragmentary nature: Reconstructing the complete meaning is impossible due to the missing text. Interpretations rely on speculation and filling gaps based on other sources.

• Historical context: Early Christian thought was diverse, and understanding the Gospel of the Hebrews requires considering specific Jewish-Christian perspectives not found in later Christianity.

• Multiple possibilities: Various interpretations exist, ranging from viewing the Spirit as a distinct feminine divine entity to emphasizing its role as a manifestation of divine wisdom and power.

Further exploration:

• Read existing scholarly interpretations of the Gospel of the Hebrews, like James R. Edwards' "The Hebrew Gospel and the Synoptic Tradition."

• Consider the historical context of Jewish-Christian thought and early Christology.

• Remember that understanding the "Spirit of Holiness" in this lost gospel remains open to various interpretations and debate.

It's important to acknowledge the limitations of our knowledge and approach the available quotes with a critical lens, remembering that they represent a unique and non-canonical perspective within early Christian thought.

Or asking "Are "Holy Spirit" and "Spirit of Holiness" used as synonyms in early Christian (pre-Nicene) literature?"

In early Christian (pre-Nicene) literature, the usage of "Holy Spirit" and "Spirit of Holiness" is nuanced and not entirely synonymous. While there's often overlap, distinct meanings and interpretations can be found:

Similarities:

• Both terms are associated with God's divine nature and attributes like purity, power, and sanctification.

• They often appear in contexts related to prayer, spiritual gifts, and ethical living.

• Early Christians generally recognized an intimate connection between God and the Holy Spirit, regardless of specific terminology.

Differences:

• "Holy Spirit" tends to be a more established term, frequently referring to the third person of the Trinity as developed later.

• "Spirit of Holiness" can have a broader range of meanings, sometimes emphasizing specific divine attributes or functions related to holiness.

• Some early Christian writings, like the Gospel of the Hebrews, might have imbued the "Spirit of Holiness" with non-canonical interpretations, like a feminine aspect or close association with Christ's wisdom.

Considerations:

• Interpreting early Christian texts requires historical context and understanding the diverse theological views before the standardization of Christian doctrines.

• Authorial intent matters. For example, Clement of Alexandria might use "Spirit of Holiness" metaphorically, while Irenaeus might employ it closer to the "Holy Spirit" concept.

• Theological interpretations themselves evolved over time, and modern perspectives might not directly translate onto pre-Nicene usages.

Conclusion:

While there's some overlap, "Holy Spirit" and "Spirit of Holiness" weren't perfect synonyms in pre-Nicene literature. Understanding their usage involves navigating diverse texts, historical context, and evolving theological concepts. Remember, interpretations remain open to debate and further research.

One doesn't need to assume that BARD is giving accurate answers to find several rabbit-holes to follow to track down likely answers to your questions.