Matthew Kutz and Jason King, “We Must Pass the Baton” Charisma (June 2004), pages 84-86.

These thirty-something leaders urge the veteran generation of Christian leaders to invest in mentoring the emerging generation. After discussing some of the difficulties keeping older leaders from mentoring, they call the up-and-coming leaders to become servant protégés and to run the race together as a team. At the time of this writing, the full article was available here: http://www.charismamag.com/life/344-j15/features/biblical-discipleship/1239-we-must-pass-the-baton [updated September 30, 2014]

Ben Witherington III, “Why the ‘Lost Gospels’ Lost Out: Recent gadfly theories about church council conspiracies that manipulated the New Testament into existence are bad—really bad—history” Christianity Today (June 2004), pages 26-40.

Professor Witherington believes that recent attempts to rewrite history in novels such as The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown are driven by something quite other than historical scholarship. The evidence for historic Christian faith is significant, and the “evidence” detractors provide is not. Early Christians had a core of beliefs, and the Bible was assembled much earlier than these conspiracy theorists allow. At the time of writing, the article was available here: www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/006/7.26.html. See also “Why the ‘lost gospels’ were lost” by Craig Keener in Christian History & Biography 82 (Spring 2004), page 15.

Image: Taragui / Wikimedia Commons

Irving Hexham and Charles Nienkirchen, “Exploring the Land of the Apostles: Because Turkey is the backdrop for so much of the New Testament, traveling there opens a world of biblical understanding” Charisma (May 2004), pages 86-87, 89-91.

When you think Bible lands, you should think Turkey. Christian historians and pilgrimage guides Irving Hexham and Charles Nienkirchen remind us that over 60% of all New Testament sites, and many locations from the Hebrew Scriptures, are to be found in ancient Asia Minor—the modern secular nation of Turkey. At the time of this writing, the full article was available here: http://www.charismamag.com/blogs/339-j15/features/christian-pilgrimages/1209-exploring-the-land-of-the-apostles [updated September 30, 2014]

Charles Edward White, “Holiness Fire-Starter” Christian History & Biography 82 (Spring 2004), pages 16-17, 19-21.

The subtitle of this article summarizes it well, “Transformed by her child’s fiery death, Phoebe Palmer lit the flames of revival on two continents.” The entire Spring 2004 issue, entitled “Phoebe Palmer and the Holiness Revival,” should be significant for any Pentecostal/charismatic interested in their heritage and the pursuit of holiness.

Christian History has changed its name to acknowledge that most of its articles concentrate on telling the stories of those Christians God has used in special ways to shape the world and be His witnesses.

Messianic teacher Kevin Williams continues his Messianic Foundations Series with part 15 of his series on Matthew. In the Fall issue, we shall begin the examination of the sometimes-thorny issue of “forgiveness.”

J. Rodman William’s book The Gift of the Holy Spirit Today (Logos, 1980) will conclude in the Fall issue with his Epilogue.

The Fall 2004 issue continues the study of Biblical interpretation with Professor Craig Keener. “Bible Background” continues the lesson of studying the full context, even that which may not be obvious, to understand clearly what the inspired author intended.

Historian Eddie Hyatt will be sharing the fruit of his research into the alleged racism that has been attributed to Pentecostal pioneer Charles Parham. Was Parham a racist, or should he actually be given credit for encouraging a “colorblind” revival of Christianity? Was the rift between Parham and William Seymour ever mended?

How Much Does God Control? The dialogue about free will and sovereignty comes to a close in the next issue with responses from readers and the closing statement from our third panelist. If you have a comment or statement you would like to add, please see the article in this issue to learn how to contact the editor.

“No More ‘Geek Speak’: New programs get past the jargon and make it easy to create, update, and manage your church’s website.” Jennifer Schuchmann. Your Church (Jan/Feb 2004), pages 66-70.

There is good news about developing church website: you do not have to be a computer guy or have a big internet budget to have an easy-to-use and highly functional website. Whether your congregation already has a website or not, there are many new resources available for getting started or improving on what you already have.

“He Is Faithful That Promised” John Arnott. Spread the Fire 2004:1, pages 5-7.

Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship celebrates 10 years of being “in the River.” Listen to the story directly from those involved in the “Toronto Blessing.”

R. T .Kendall, “Itching Ears?” Ministries Today (Mar/Apr 2004), pages 20-22.

R. T .Kendall, “Word + Spirit = Power” Ministries Today (Mar/Apr 2004), pages 24-26.

The retired pastor of Westminster Chapel, R. T. Kendall, tells us what he sees as being wrong with teaching from the pulpit today, especially in Pentecostal/charismatic churches. In the follow-up article that comes on its heels, he introduces and challenges us with the solution.

Also in this issue of Ministries Today, concentrating on teaching in the church, are articles by Gary B. McGee and John Paul Jackson.

Adam Hamilton, “Opening Closed Minds: When you address controversial issues today, you can irritate or influence, but not both” Leadership (Spring 2004), pages 37-41.

“The New Old-Time Religion.” Jay Tolson. U.S.News & World Report (Dec. 8, 2003), pages 36-38, 41-44.

This special report offers a brief history of Evangelicalism and says that the “New Evangelicals” (as the cover calls them) defy easy labels and are growing in number. http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/031208/misc/8evangelicals.htm [link no longer active as of June 30, 2014] A version of this article was found here [on June 30, 2014]: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1031144/posts

Enrichment (Fall 2003)

Enrichment is “a journal for Pentecostal ministry” published by the Assemblies of God (USA). The Fall 2003 issue has the theme of “Managing the Local Church” with articles like “Managing Church Government: Making the systems work for You” by Richard L. Dresselhaus, “Managing the church Office: An Ever-Changing Challenge” by Shirley J. Good, and “The Art of Managing Church Staff” by Dan M. Reiland. Numerous sidebars and mini-articles cover numerous practical aspects of administration like essential things to look for in a church secretary, how to conduct an effective board meeting, and how to maximize your use of technology. Find more information about the journal, and some of these articles online at: http://enrichmentjournal.ag.org/200304/index.cfm [link updated June 30, 2014]

“Faith and Healing: Can religion improve health? While the debate rages in journals and med schools, more Americans ask for doctors’ prayers.” Claudia Kalb. Newsweek (Nov. 10, 2003), pages 44-50, 53-54, 56.

Beyond the anecdotes, medical science is now showing some significant—even “persuasive”—evidence that prayer and trust in God can improve health and the quality of life. At the time of printing, the full article was available online at: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3474967 [link no longer active as of June 30, 2014]

Messianic teacher Kevin M. Williams continues his Messianic Foundations Series with the fourteenth 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. In the next edition, we examine one teacher’s insight on the miracle of the coin in the fish’s mouth and the parables of Matthew 18.

The Summer 2004 issue continues the study of Biblical interpretation with Professor Craig Keener. “More Principles of Context” continues the lesson of studying context to avoid pitfalls, learning from the full thought of the inspired author, and outlining Scripture to understand the flow of thought.

Chapters from J. Rodman William’s book The Gift of the Holy Spirit Today (Logos, 1980) continue with “Effects” Part 2 of 2. You will be deepened and encouraged by this exposition of the contemporary work of the Holy Spirit.

How Much Does God Control? The dialogue about free will and sovereignty continues in the next issue as the three panelists begin their concluding statements. Join us for this friendly dialogue and be deepened in your appreciation for brothers and sisters who have reached different conclusions on this important topic.

Don’t miss an exclusive interview with educator and Bible teacher French Arrington.

Book and periodical reviews of interest to the Pentecostal/charismatic student and pastor.

Alan Millard, “Literacy in the Time of Jesus” Biblical Archaeology Review (July/Aug 2003 Vol 29 No 4), pages 36-45.

Several lines of evidence can be presented to argue that it is quite probable that someone could have written down the sayings of Jesus during His ministry in Israel. The idea that Jesus’ Galilean disciples would likely have been illiterate is refuted. The claim used by those who say the New Testament was not written in the first century because “Jews of Jesus’ time were forbidden from writing down the lessons of their religious teachers, lest they be confused with sacred texts” is also debunked as incorrect (p. 45).

Also in this issue of BAR is an article discussing the Simon family ossuaries and the re-discovery of a “very likely” (p. 47) connection of first century artifacts to Jesus through Simon of Cyrene. These discoveries add validity to the authenticity of the Biblical record, anchoring faith in history.

Christian History 79 (Vol XXII, No 3. August 2003)

This theme issue “The African Apostles: the untold stories of the black evangelists who converted their continent” takes a sweeping look at how Christianity became African in the twentieth century. If Christian futurists like Philip Jenkins are correct, global Christianity will soon be defined according to its relationship with African culture. This issue of Christian History will introduce you to some of the virtually unknown personalities and trends that God has used to bring nearly half of the African continent to Messiah in only the last 100 years.

The Spring 2004 issue continues the study of Biblical interpretation with Professor Craig Keener. “Whole-Book Context,” Part 2 is a lesson about connecting the immediate context with the overall context of the book the passage is part of.

Messianic teacher Kevin M. Williams continues his Messianic Foundations Series with the thirteenth 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.

Chapters from J. Rodman William’s book The Gift of the Holy Spirit Today (Logos, 1980) continue with “Chapter Eight: Effects.” You will be deepened and encouraged by this exposition of the contemporary work of the Holy Spirit.

How Much Does God Control? In the next issue, James Railey (the Arminian view) continues the dialogue about free will and sovereignty by responding to the papers written by both other panelists. More responses from readers will be appearing along with mention of some of the significant books and articles on the subject that have recently been published. Join us for this friendly dialogue and be deepened in your appreciation for brothers and sisters who have reached different conclusions on this important topic.

Join us for an exclusive interview with pastor and author Michael Sullivant. He talks with us about the gift of prophecy in the church today including its role in evangelism and some of the common misunderstandings to be avoided.

Some of the book and periodical reviews you will see:

The Word-Faith Controversy: Understanding the Health and Wealth Gospel. Robert M. Bowman, Jr. Baker (2001). Reviewed by Paul L. King.

Beyond the Impasse: Toward a Pneumatological Theology of Religions. Amos Yong. Baker Academic (2003). Reviewed by Matthew Thompson.