Messianic teacher Kevin Williams commented on the September 11 attacks on the United States in this post originally published on September 17, 2001.

Rosh haShanah [or Hoshanah] is the biblical festival of trumpets (shofar, as pictured), Yom Teruah (the day of blowing, Lev. 23), which marks the Jewish new year and celebration of the creation of the world. The festival concludes with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Some Bible teachers believe the festival to be a prophetic picture of the end of this age, an annual rehearsal of the last days.

It has been the Lord’s good pleasure to sustain me on this earth for 40 years now, and in all that time, no opportunity has been afforded to believers to be a light for truth as now. Confirmed reports come daily that thousands of strangers are wandering into churches in New York. In the lines of grocery stores, current events are the subject of conversation–and before last week, no one talked while waiting in line! Suppliers and customers, who have perhaps been all business, take a few moments to talk about the headlines. People realize there is a spiritual hole in their lives, they are asking questions, and many are turning to the Bride for answers.

Our nation’s leaders, as at no other time in modern history, are standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Creator, acknowledging Him in all their ways (Proverbs 3:6). This unprecedented example of biblical faith is speaking, nay shouting from the rooftops, to all the earth. The Christian faith is being carefully examined by men and women of all faiths. How we–as individual believers and as Americans–respond to these events, now and in the weeks and months to come, will be a part of how the earth judges our faith, and ultimately, our Messiah.

In light of the New York and Washington DC tragedies, and as we enter this season of revering the Sovereign King, I guess this comes as a cautionary note to all my friends: that we be “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matt 10:16).

My heart aches as I hear believers talking about retaliation, about torturing or exacting revenge. Certainly, the loss of life, the economic repercussions, the orphans, widows and widowers, and the trauma are horrible realities. But brothers and sisters, we are told to never “repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody” (Romans 12:17).

Our leaders have taken the position of stopping the evil and putting it out of our midst. This is most appropriate. This is a biblical principle from Genesis through Revelation. It will likely be difficult. It will likely come at a cost. But if we take an attitude of retaliation, then we are subject to judgement just as those who perpetrated this heinous act of war.

Time and again in the Bible, it is God who repays evil–not man. The prayers of the righteous in Scripture are for God to judge and repay. Friends, I appreciate the anger you may feel, and the passionate response for action, but let us act and speak with maturity of faith, living as examples of the Messiah. Stop the evil, certainly, and take the actions necessary to that end, but let us guard our hearts and tongues that the God of all creation may be glorified in the eyes of all mankind.

Editor’s note: Rosh haShanah will be celebrated in 2014 beginning at sunset, September 24 until nightfall on September 26.

“The Genesis of our Woes” by Martin Hengel. Christianity Today (June 11, 2001). Pp. 78-80.

Hengel relates the current state of human progress with the first chapters of Genesis. Excellent sermon starter material.

“In the Beginning…” Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies (Vol 4, No 1, January 2001). Pp. 73-148

In this issue of AJPS, the reader will find six articles on the beginnings and growth of the  Pentecostal movement in Asia. Young-Hoon Lee has written “Korean Pentecost: The Great Revival of 1907.” Well known Pentecostal historian Stanley Burgess contributed “Pentecostalism in India: An Overview.” “Legacy of Hau Lian Khan (1944-1995): A Revivalist, Equipper, and Transformer for the Zomi-Chin People of Myanmar” is by Chin Khua Khai. James Hosack has written “The Arrival of Pentecostals and Charismatics in Thailand.” Trinidad E. Seleky contributed two articles: “Six Filipinos and One Ameraican: Pioneers of the Assemblies of God in the Philippines” and “A History of the Pentecostal Movement in Indonesia.”

“I Saw What I Saw” by Mark Rutland. Enrichment (Summer 2001). Pp. 74-78.

Mark Rutland, president of the Assemblies of God’s SoutheasternCollege in Florida, makes a passionate appeal for the fire of the early church to be the contemporary experience of biblical Christians.

“The Fragrance of Diversity: Four Churches and Their Prayer Strengths” Pray! (July/Aug 2001). Pp. 13-26

Pray! editor Jonathan Graf introduces four articles that look at the diversity to be found in four church cultures and their contributions that all of us can learn from. “A Family Affair” by Alfredo Gutiérrez looks at the distinctives of mentoring, passion, and faith that the Hispanic church brings to the body of Christ. Jin S. Park and Yong Moon discuss the disposition, discipline, and fervency brought by the Korean church in “Mountaintop Experience.” Negiel Bigpond, in “Eyes to See,” looks at the honor, healing, and worship distinctives that First Nations believes share.  “Alive and Strong,” by Lloyd Preston Terrell, looks at the African American contributions of intensity, dependence, and perseverance.

“Mind Over Skepticism” by John G. Stackhouse. Christianity Today (June 11, 2001). Pp. 74-76.

Stackhouse gives a three page overview of the contributions of Alvin Plantinga to the philosophy of religion. Plantinga has effectively demonstrated that theists can plausibly affirm three propositions: God is good, God is all-powerful, and that yet evil exists.  This article is a brief introduction into the philosophy of religion and the work of Plantinga.

Cedric Harmon, “God’s Lightning Rod” Charisma (Vol 26, No 9, April 2001), pages 62-66, 107.

Is Rick Joyner a New Testament prophet? Whether he is or not, his ministry is not without criticism. If you are interested in the prophetic movement in general, or Joyner’s new book Shadow of Things to Come in specific, you will want to read this engaging article on Joyner.

Harold D. Hunter

Harold D. Hunter, “Pentecostal Healing for God’s Sick Creation?” The Spirit & Church (Vol 2, No 2, November 2000), pages 145-167.

Dr. Harold Hunter offers a Pentecostal perspective on ecological stewardship and social responsibility. Published in The Spirit & Church, a mostly-English journal of Gospel Theological Seminary in Taejon City, South Korea.

Wolfgang Fernandez, “Could Japan’s ‘New Race’ be a key to its evangelization?” DAWN Report (Issue 43, Jan. 2001). Pp. 1,2.

The shinjinrui (“new race”) has much more in common with the emerging world youth culture than the traditional Japanese culture. Today’s Japanese youth also seem to be approachable with the gospel. Trends in world youth culture and their apparent openness to spiritual things has some, including DAWN Report editor Jim Montgomery, wondering if this could be the last generation before the return of the Lord.

Although the concept called spiritual mapping is mainstream in the independent charismatic movement, this new arms race against the devil is not without controversy. Professor Larry Taylor offers a biblical challenge to this practice in his paper “Worldviews in Conflict: Christian Cosmology and the Recent Doctrine of Spiritual Mapping” which will be appearing serially in the Pneuma Review.

Messianic teacher Kevin Williams continues his Messianic Foundations Series with the third chapter in a mini-series on the Gospel of Matthew. Kevin will be looking at the Hebraisms and Jewish background often missed to reveal beautiful prophetic pictures fulfilled at the coming of Messiah. Be sure to read every installment of this unique commentary on the Gospel to the Hebrews.

The Fall 2001 issue of the Pneuma Review will see the third installment of portions of The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today by Wayne Grudem. Grudem’s exposition of 1 Corinthians 13 is not to be missed.

Professor Amos Yong investigates what the much maligned ecumenical movement is really all about and offers a challenge to rethink our stereotypes. The fourth of five installments of “Pentecostalism and Ecumenism: Past, Present, and Future” will appear in the Fall 2001 issue.

The Worship Leader Series continues with “Should it Sound Like That?” by Joe Randeen. This will be an introduction to one of the technical sides of being a song leader.

The October 2, 2000 issue of Christianity Today takes an extensive look at racism among evangelicals. They begin with an excerpt from the new book, Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America (Oxford University Press, 2000) by Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith. A racially diverse CT forum then discusses these issues and offers hope. This is followed by an article about how a black congregation transformed its white pastor.

The October 2, 2000 issue: www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/october2

Notes from the Editor:

This tenth issue begins our fourth year of publication. I trust that you have found the Pneuma Review to be a publication that you can use.

Unfortunately, one promised ingredient in this issue has been postponed until the future. Kingsway Publications of Great Britain had extended permission to the Pneuma Review to reprint portions of the out-of-print book by Wayne Grudem, The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today. The North American publisher of this important book has recently gone to press with a revised edition. Graciously, Crossway Books has extended permission to reprint portions from this new edition. This should only mean a short delay before the Pneuma Review will be including this in a series of articles. In the meanwhile, you should be able to order The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today through your local Christian bookstore in early 2001.

As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome.

In His service and yours,

— Raul Mock, Executive Editor

The Praying in the Spirit Series by Robert W. Graves continues with Singing in the Spirit. Robert Graves looks into what glossolalic singing is, its blessing of drawing us nearer to Jesus, and its prophetic implications.

Pentecostalism and Ecumenism by Amos Yong. Professor Amos Yong investigates what the much maligned ecumenical movement is really all about and offers a challenge to rethink our stereotypes. The second of five installments will appear in the Spring 2001 issue.

The Worship Leader Series continues with “How to Birth Worship Leadership”by David Crabtree.

Messianic teacher Kevin Williams will continue his Messianic Foundations Series by starting a mini-series on the Gospel of Matthew. Rabbi Kevin will be looking at the Hebraisms and Jewish background often missed to reveal beautiful prophetic pictures fulfilled at the coming of Messiah. Be sure to read every installment of this unique commentary on the Gospel to the Hebrews.

Kingdom Theology, Part 2 concludes the study by David Burns on the Scriptural centrality of the kingdom of God.

“The Weigh and the Truth” by Lauren F. Winner. Christianity Today (Sept. 4, 2000). Pp. 50-58.

This article takes a look at the “Christian dieting movement,” noting some of its successes and specifically critiquing Gwen Shamblin’s The Weigh Down Workshop. Lauren Winner discusses how some of these programs have been used evangelistically, have taught believers to “pray off the pounds,” and interviews nutritionists who challenge programs that ignore or downplay calorie counting and nutrition to focus on the spiritual side. Shamblin is given a sidebar to answer questions of her critics, but the article generally casts her in a negative light.

“Confession & Response.” Kilian McDonnell and Frank Macchia. PNEUMA: The Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies (Vol 22, No 1, Spring 2000). Pp. 23-25.

This is the text of the confession made by Kilian McDonnell at the 29^th Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies held at Northwest College in Kirkland, Washington on March 16-18, 2000. Also included is the text of the response by SPS President Frank D. Macchia. Raul Mock made mention of this confession in his editorial “Repenting of Pre-Judgments” that appeared in the Fall 2000 (Vol 3, No 4) issue of the Pneuma Review, pages 30-31, 71.

“Getting Beyond the Numbers Games” by James F. Engel. Christianity Today (August 7, 2000).

Veteran church-growth strategist asks for more prayer and less salvation-decision counting.