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THE RECONCILING SPIRIT: THE DOVE WITH COLOUR AND STRENGTH
Author(s) -
Kim Kirsteen
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
international review of mission
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.118
H-Index - 11
eISSN - 1758-6631
pISSN - 0020-8582
DOI - 10.1111/j.1758-6631.2005.tb00483.x
Subject(s) - dove , depiction , symbol (formal) , apostle , christian ministry , israelites , human spirit , white (mutation) , sociology , aesthetics , theology , art , law , visual arts , philosophy , epistemology , political science , linguistics , biochemistry , chemistry , gene
The dove is used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and also of peace and reconciliation. However, the usual depiction of the dove may not be a good representation of the content of reconciliation, or of the nature and work of the Spirit. This article aims to enhance our vision of the Spirit of reconciliation by examining the apostle Paul's teaching in 2 Corinthians about the ministry of the Spirit and the ministry of reconciliation. The article also considers the deliberations of several international meetings, and brings together a number of reflections on the Spirit from India and Korea. The paper concludes that the heavenly bird is not limited to the dove, nor is the imagery of the Holy Spirit restricted to the dove. The Spirit is not white and delicate but colourful and strong, and it is through these characteristics that the Spirit leads us in the way of Christ in the struggle to live together in reconciled life.