Has anyone ever asked you, “Are you one of them tongue-talkers?” After you get your eyes to stop rolling, you have to decide whether or not to do a witty comeback (no, this is not the kind of response I usually choose, but it appeals to my flesh to think about it) “Well, yes, aren’t you? I know if the early church needed it, I sure do.” Or, you may decide to calmly and lovingly offer a defense for what you believe about praying in the Spirit and tongues with interpretation. But what about the out-of-the-blue statement, “All you [insert your “label” here] ever talk about is tongues”? Your mouth drops and you say, “Wait, didn’t you just bring it up?”
If the early church needed it, I sure do.
Any regular reader of this journal knows we talk about a great deal more than just glossolalia. I am glad that Pentecostals, charismatics, and those that are open but cautious regarding the gifts of the Spirit can agree on so many things. In our unity on essentials, we have diverse beliefs about many other subjects. May you find something in this issue that challenges and instructs you and which God may use to deepen you.
Raul L. Mock is one of the founders and directors of the Pneuma Foundation and editor of The Pneuma Review. Raul has been part of an Evangelical publishing ministry since 1996, working with Information Services and Supply Chain Management for more than two decades. He and his wife, Erin, live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. LinkedIn
Suggestions for Further Reading Readers have suggested the following as places to find good articles online for further reading on this important subject. Crystal Downing, “Yolking With Postmodernism: Where is postmodern culture headed? Two recent films, Chicken Run and The X-Men, suggest a neo-Romantic turn” Books & Culture (October 9, 2000). http://www.booksandculture.com/articles/webexclusives/2000/october/oct09.html Scot…
One Year! Exciting is one word to describe what the editors and writers have seen happen this year. From a humble beginning, the Pneuma Foundation and the Pneuma Review journal have grown to have international recognition and (we trust) spiritual impact. It is a blessing to be a part of this ministry, for we know…
Jack S. Deere, Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit: Discovering How God Speaks and Heals Today (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Reflective, 2020), 320 pages, ISBN 9780310108115. Most of Jack Deere’s books have dealt with the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, this present volume is no exception. Some of the material…
John MacArthur’s new book, Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship (Thomas Nelson), is due out on November 12, 2013. Here are some images and quotes from the book as part of our conversation, “Are Pentecostals offering Strange Fire?” When MacArthur, on page 203, says that “we have already seen,…
Craig S. Keener, author of Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, shares stories of people who experienced miraculous healing. This is part 2 of a special lecture series on apologetics given at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in the Summer of 2014. Craig Keener Craig S. Keener, Ph.D. (Duke University),…
The Summer 2003 issue continues the study of Biblical interpretation with Professor Craig Keener. Chapter Two: “Learning Context” is a lesson in reading the Scriptures for what they were intended to say instead of reading them according to our preconceived ideas. Messianic teacher Kevin Williams continues his Messianic Foundations Series with the tenth…
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