Doug Clay, “What is Pentecostalism?” Assemblies of God News (September 30, 2020).

“Research Roundup: Preaching Takeaways from the Latest in Social Science” Christianity Today Pastors (Fall 2020).

Compiled by Ted Olson, these fascinating observations from recent social science research are sure to get you thinking about your next sermon, and probably the last few.  

John Piper, “Policies, Persons, and Paths to Ruin: Pondering the Implications of the 2020 Election” DesiringGod.org (October 22, 2020).

Published 12 days before the U.S. elections, Piper writes: “Actually, this is a long-overdue article attempting to explain why I remain baffled that so many Christians consider the sins of unrepentant sexual immorality (porneia), unrepentant boastfulness (alazoneia), unrepentant vulgarity (aischrologia), unrepentant factiousness (dichostasiai), and the like, to be only toxic for our nation, while policies that endorse baby-killing, sex-switching, freedom-limiting, and socialistic overreach are viewed as deadly.”  

Daniel Silliman, “At Purple Churches, Pastors Struggle with Polarized Congregations: A challenging year threatens to divide Christians who have resisted the cultural trend” Christianity Today (October 20, 2020).

Image: Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson

Geoff Holsclaw, “5 Reasons Why Calling the Election a Fraud Because Your Favorite Prophets Do Is Dangerous” GeoffreyHolsclaw.net (November 9, 2020).

Craig Keener, “When Political Prophecies Don’t Come to Pass: The Bible includes false prophets and true prophets whose words turn out to be false” ChristianityToday.com (November 11, 2020).

In this web-only article, Keener discusses the biblical role of the prophet (in Bible times and today). He says, “Not only are all prophecies partial, but, more dangerously, sometimes we may confuse our wrong interpretation with God’s message.” The next day, on November 12, Keener posted a follow-up article that appeared on his blog. This article included several links to other articles he has written about prophecy and an expansion of the article that appeared at ChristianityToday.com.  

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The Bible in Hebrews 13:3 command Christians to pray for those suffering as if they themselves were suffering. In other words, the Bible calls us to not only remember those who suffer but to also be one with them in their suffering. In keeping with this scriptural command, the International Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) has united millions of Christians in prayer for the suffering Body of Christ around the world. After all, as the Bible says: If one suffers, we all suffer.

Over the years, the IDOP has served as a platform to highlight the stories of persecuted Christians and mobilise the global Church to respond to their plight. Moreover, in so doing, the IDOP has also been a source of solidarity and encouragement to persecuted Christians by reminding them that they are part of a larger, global family of believers.

We believe that God uses the prayers of his people to strengthen and deliver suffering saints. However, in order to pray for these suffering brothers and sisters, we must first listen to their stories. It is only in knowing their plight that we can truly identify with them in their suffering.

We invite you, therefore, to join us this year on 1st and 8th November as we unite globally to pray for the persecuted. Let’s pray that in spite of the pressure and persecution, our suffering brothers and sisters –where ever they may be in the world — would stand firm in their faith, hold fast to the promises of God, and live victoriously in Christ.

Blessings,

Godfrey Yogarajah
Executive Director
WEA Religious Liberty Commission

Watch the IDOP 2020 1:09 minute video (Vimeo) and share it with your church.

Craig Keener introduces the link to this interview by saying, “Donna Covington is Asbury’s vice president of formation and served as a top executive in a major corporation. Shortly after his graduation from college, her son, with a promising career ahead of him, was confronted with racist epithets and shot to death by a white man. The white man has not spent a single day in jail for this. She shares her heart wrenching story in this 25-minute video interview I did with her.”

Todd M. Johnson, “Pentecostal/Charismatic Christianity” GordonConwell.edu (May 27, 2020).

The Gordon-Conwell page describes this as “a short excerpt from the World Christian Encyclopedia, 3rd edition (Edinburgh University Press).”

Craig Keener, “Racism contradicts evangelicals’ Gospel” CraigKeener.com (July 6, 2020).

Craig Keener introduces this blog post, with links to a June 2020 statement and other posts about racial justice, by saying: “I and some other evangelical scholars recently issued a very basic statement.”

Image: Joey Kyber

J. Lee Grady, “How a Brave Black Woman Is Challenging Black Lives Matter” Fire In My Bones (July 29, 2020).

B. J. Oropeza, “Jesus and Ancient Biography: An Interview with Craig S. Keener on His Recent Book, Christobiography” Patheos (July 26, 2020).

Craig Keener, “Signs of the Kingdom: Miracles in the New Testament and Today” Carl F. Henry Center for Theological Understanding (March 12, 2020).

Craig Keener introduced this lecture: “Creation Project on special divine action, at Carl F. Henry Center for Theological Understanding, Trinity International University, sponsored my lecture on signs of the kingdom in early spring 2020.”

B. J. Oropeza, “The Latest on Galatians: An Interview with Craig Keener on His Recent Book, Galatians: A Commentary” Patheos (August 10, 2020).

Sam Storms, “10 Questions about Spiritual Gifts” Crossway.org (September 5, 2020).

Craig Keener, “Experiential Reading: The Means to Embracing Scripture” CraigKeener.com (September 4, 2020).

Craig Keener writes: “… we need to hear Scripture with faith, embracing it in our personal lives. A reader may embrace a false idea when taking Scripture out of context, but a reader who understands it in context yet does not embrace its demands on one’s trust also misses its function as Scripture. As Christians, we read the Bible with personal faith – not only to understand it but to embrace its message and theological worldview as true for the world in which we live.”

Frank Viola, “A Word to My Miracle-Obsessed Friends” FrankViola.org (September 17, 2020).

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Lenny Smith, “Welcome to the End of Entertainment Worship” (October 1, 2018).

In case you missed it: The author of the worship song, “Our God Reigns,” reminds followers of Jesus what worship is all about.

John Lathrop, “Rejection” PentecostalPastor.com (January 15, 2020).

“If you are going to be involved in Christian ministry you are going to experience rejection.”

LaTonya Taylor, “Remembering Dr. Edith Blumhofer (1950-2020)” Wheaton.edu (March 6, 2020).

Roscoe Barnes III, “Remembering Dr. Vinson Synan, Historian Extraordinaire of Pentecostal Church History” Roscoe Reporting (April 3, 2020).

Harold D. Hunter, “Pentecostal Response to 1918-1919 Influenza Pandemic” iPHC.org (April 4, 2020).

Craig S. Keener, “Crooked Spirits and Spiritual Identity Theft: A Keener Response to Crooks?” The Journal of Mind and Behavior 39: 4 (Autumn 2018).

On April 5, 2020, Craig Keener wrote: “Today’s post will be of interest mainly to academics who allow for the possibility of spirits. I try to address it from a somewhat neutral academic standpoint, though neither those who know my biblical convictions nor my African experience will be surprised at my conclusions.”

Roscoe Barnes III, “F.F. Bosworth’s Connection to the Spanish Flu: His first wife, Estelle, was possibly a victim of the deadly virus” Roscoe Reporting (April 5, 2020).

Daniel D. Isgrigg, “Aimee Semple McPherson and the Spanish Influenza In Tulsa” DanielDIsgrigg.com (April 5, 2020).

Image: Wolfgang Hasselmann

Michael Brown, “Some Practical Thoughts on Contemporary Prophetic Ministry” In the Line of Fire (April 16, 2020).

John Lathrop said, “Michael Brown touches on the Coronavirus prophecies in this article.”

Spencer MacCuish, “3 Lessons From a Decade of Teaching Online” TheGospelCoalition.org (April 19, 2020).

Every preacher a televangelist: What lessons can church leaders learn about teaching online from those that have been doing this longer?

John Lathrop, “I Am Pentecostal” PentecostalPastor.com (April 21, 2020).

Chris Green, “Coronavirus Calls for Revival of Real Pentecostalism” Christianity Today (April 30, 2020).

The subtitle of this article reads, “Despite failures, Spirit-filled theology can show us how to respond to the pandemic.”

John Lathrop, “Jesus in the House” Berita Mujizat (April 29, 2020).

Eddie L. Hyatt, “Why Revival Doesn’t Always Require Great Preaching, Big Crowds” Charisma (May 12, 2020).

“Dr. Eddie Hyatt says great revival sometimes does not require eloquent preaching or great crowds. Rather, there are battles to be won in the spiritual realm that mainly require one-on-one intercession, where one person prays fervently to God in private.” Dr. Susan Hyatt, Eddie’s wife, introduced this link: “This is an 11-minute excerpt from last Tuesday night’s session [May 5, 2020] on Yahweh-Nissi, picked up by Charisma Magazine online. The Power of Holy Spirit-Inspired Prayer.”

John Fea, “Remembering Donald Dayton” TheWayOfImprovement.com (May 13, 2020).

Christian historian John Fea says that “Dayton tried to imagine what the story [of American Evangelicalism] might look like if told through a Pietist/Wesleyan/Holiness lens.”

Michael Ireland, “Healing Evangelist Franklin Hall Honoured” AssistNews.net (October 19, 2018).

In case you missed this earlier news, PneumaReview.com would like to extend thanks to Hall’s nephew, Chaplain (MAJ) James F, Linzey, USA (Ret.), a PneumaReview,.com author, who donated an extensive collection of Pentecostal history at the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center in Springfield, Missouri.

Image: Alex Motoc

Andrew K. Gabriel, “Psalms for Divine Protection from COVID-19” Horizon.edu (May 28, 2020).

A timely message from PneumaReview.com author Andrew Gabriel.

Eddie Hyatt, “America’s Abolitionist Founding Father” Biblical Awakening (May 29, 2020).

From Eddie Hyatt’s new book, 1726: The Year that Defined America.

Daniel Silliman, “Have Pentecostals Outgrown Their Name?” Christianity Today (May 29, 2020).

The subtitle of this article reads, “More than a quarter of the global church falls under new and debated label: “‘Spirit-empowered Christianity.’”

Esau McCaulley, “A Nation on Fire Needs the Flames of the Spirit: As racism tears the country apart, the message of Pentecost can help the church find its voice” ChristianityToday.com (June 1, 2020).

Frank Viola, “A Jesus Response to the Race Problem” FrankViola.net

Originally published in 2014, this article by Derwin Gray and Frank Viola, with a later introduction from Frank Viola, is as relevant today as when it was written.

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First Virtual Global Pentecostal Studies Conference: “Mapping Global Pentecostal Issues”

When: Saturday, 31st October 2020, from 12:00-20:00.

What: The European Research Network on Global Pentecostalism (GloPent) will be having its first Virtual Conference, hosted by The Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at the University of Birmingham. The theme is “Mapping Global Pentecostal Issues.”  

Keynote Speakers

J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu (Trinity Theological Seminary Ghana). “The Lord is the Spirit (II Corinthians 3:17): An African Critique of Global Pentecostal Theologies.”

Corneliu Constantineanu (Aurel Vlaicu University of Arad). “The Spirit Engaging and Transforming Life: Tenets of Romanian Pentecostalism.”

Daniel Chiquete (Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey). “¿Lugares del espíritu? El pentecostalismo y sus representaciones espaciales en América Latina” (in Spanish).

Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen (Fuller Theological Seminary). “Identities of Global Pentecostalism(s) in the Pluralistic and Secular World: Theological Tasks and Challenges.”

More Information: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/ptr/departments/theologyandreligion/events/2020/glopent-world.aspx

The world needs Spirit-empowered believers like never before!

When: May 31 through June 10, 2020

Empowered21 knows that you want to be encouraged and equipped to make an impact during the unprecedented season you are in, and we realize the importance of hearing what the Holy Spirit is saying as you prepare for the future.

Due to the current limitations on gathering, it’s easy to feel disconnected and discouraged, which is why we have planned a FREE GLOBAL CONGRESS, where over the course of 10 days you are invited to be part of the largest gathering of Spirit-empowered leaders on the planet. Each of the unique sessions will provide encouragement for where you are NOW, and help you to get clarity from the Holy Spirit about what is NEXT!

Empowered21 has assembled over 70 influential leaders from around the globe, including PneumaReview.com authors Heidi Baker and Doug Beacham.

Register

Adapted from the May 14, 2020 email invitation.

Michael Brown, “Wheat and Weeds: A Prediction About the Coming Split in the United Methodist Church” Stream.org (January 5, 2020).

Roger E. Olson, “Pentecostal Theology: A Brief Description” Patheos (January 16, 2020).

Andrew K. Gabriel, “Pentecostal Women in Ministry, What they Want, and #MeToo” AndrewKGabriel.com (January 16, 2020).

Andrew Gabriel introduces this video: “In today’s video, I interview Dr. Kimberly Alexander from Regent University’s School of Divinity in Virginia Beach, [VA]. I ask her about how Pentecostals have typically thought about women in ministry, what women in ministry say they actually want, and about Pentecostals and the #MeToo movement.”

Paul J. Palma, “The Legacy of Massimiliano Tosetto: Italian American Pentecostal Pioneer” iFPHC.org (January 22, 2020).

Roger E. Olson, “Why Theology Is Necessary” Patheos (January 21, 2020).

This article by Roger Olson is the second part of a series entitled, “Christian Theology–Answers to Questions.”

Geir Lie, “Oneness Pentecostalism in Norway” Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological Association (January 23, 2020).

Abstract: “This article examines and analyzes the evolution of Oneness Pentecostalism in Norway, a tradition which has literally passed under the radar of Scandinavian researchers. The article identifies nine Oneness groups and different denominations whose impact is growing particularly among immigrant Christians. The essay provides biographical data on various founders and the churches and denominations they established. Highlighting the theological and ethnical diversity of the movement, Lie suggests that missionaries, immigration, and reverse migration have significantly diversified the structures, theologies, ethnicities and leadership of Oneness Pentecostalism in Norway.”

Roger E. Olson, “Are All ‘Christians’ True Christians?” Patheos (January 30, 2020).

Church historian Roger Olson strongly challenges church leaders to state clearly and publicly when so-called Christians are behaving immorally.

Mark Deymaz with Harry Li, “Here Come the Skinny Cows: Four reasons tithes and offerings are about to drop dramatically” CT Pastors (Fall 2019).

In this book excerpt from The Coming Revolution in Church Economics: Why Tithes and Offerings Are No Longer Enough, and What You Can Do about It (Baker, 2019), this special edition of Christianity Today looks at the future of giving and sustainability for churches.

J. Lee Grady, “Brazil Has Become a Global Hot Spot for Revival” Fire In My Bones (February 12, 2020).

Congratulations to Craig Keener being elected by the Evangelical Theological Society as their president for 2020.

Jonathan Smith, “Smart Budgeting for Tech Purchases: Why it’s time to rethink the three-year replacement rule for hardware” Church Law & Tax (January 27, 2020).

Image: Francois Olwage

Craig Keener, “A Worldwide Vision for Theological Education” The LOGOS Academic Blog (February 20, 2020).

The meeting’s location was at the Alleluia Covenant Community school. Coincidentally, several of the presentations at the consultation were about covenant communities. Covenant communities are fairly new to the Church, and are an attempt to follow the example of the Jerusalem Christian community depicted in Acts.[2] For reasons unclear, Early Christianity followed the model of Jewish monasticism for which there is no New Testament model or mention,[3] and bypassed the covenant community described in Acts. Most covenant communities are ecumenical, as is Alleluia. Alleluia is predominantly Catholic, but led by a Methodist layman, Mr. Bob Garrett. In recent years, he has gained an international renown for his leadership in furthering Christian and Spirit-filled ecumenism.

Like the Jerusalem Christian community described in Acts, covenant communities are groupings of families, sometimes with attached singles, that bind together with certain rules to further their Christian life and holiness. An interesting example of this; Alleluia teens are not allowed to date as couples, but frequently go out as a group for sports events, field trips, etc. This provides plenty of opportunities for budding romances – but avoids the awkwardness and dangers of couple dating. (Do I hear the moans of anxious parents for similar rules in their churches?)

Covenant families live in close proximity, and this assists not only in prayer time together, but mutual help in such things as baby-sitting and home schooling. Families worship together during the week but go to their denominational churches on Sunday.[4] All of this makes life more socially engaging than normal, and more importantly, assists in avoiding much of the corrosive secularism of contemporary society.[5] One of the benefits of having the CLF meet at the Alleluia Community is that on can observe some of these dynamics in action.

On Wednesday afternoon, the CLF group drove over to Burns United Methodist Church to participate in an Ash Wednesday service. It was a wonderful expression of unity in the Body of Christ. Brief sermons were given by Lutheran, Methodist, Catholic and Baptist ministers before the imposition of ashes.

The members of the CLF who came to Augusta came from the United Sates and many parts of the world. We were all hosted by the families of the Alleluia community. Not only did this eliminate hotel charges, but most feel real delight to live for a few days within a covenant community. My host this year was a local Lutheran pastor, the Rev. Mike Freed and his lovely wife, Vera. Rev. Freed is an elder of Alleluia as well as an active pastor to nearby Ascension Lutheran Church. I came one day early and had the pleasure of attending his Sunday service and ministering healing at the end of the service.

This year’s CLF had several issues on the table. One was, coincidentally, a presentation and description of several world-wide networks of covenant communities. A presentation was given by members of the Work of Christ Covenant Community of Lansing, Michigan, one of the first ever birthed from the Charismatic Renewal. This community sprouted other communities under the name “Sword of the Spirit” which now have ninety-three communities in forty-three countries in Asia, the South Pacific, Latin America and Europe.[6] These communities are self-governing, but under similar covenant rules. Seventy percent of its members are Roman Catholic, with 5% Oriental Catholic (Coptic) and the rest Protestant.