Hadje Cresencio Sadje, a Filipino scholar doing Ph. D. studies at the University of Vienna, contributes to global contextual methodologies through his monograph, Grassroots Asian Theologies: Doing Pentecostal Theology in the Philippine Context. Sadje attempts to integrate Liberation theology and Pentecostal theology in the Philippine context (10), noting that both recognize grounded realities and contextual experiences as loci for theologizing. He agrees with Asian Pentecostal theologian Simon Chan, whose seminal book, Grassroots Asian Theology, argued for the ecclesial experience in theologizing (12). Whereas Chan offered a Pan-Asian approach, Sadje particularizes his study within the Filipino context. He does this by analyzing Filipino theologies, both Pentecostal and Liberationists, to draw out an alternate theological method for developing a holistic grassroots Filipino theology.

In the book, Sadje constructs his alternate theological method by offering an exposition that spans four chapters. In chapter one, he discusses Chan’s methodological propositions for developing Asian grassroots theology. He notes Chan’s critique of elite theologies vis-à-vis Pentecostal grassroots theologies (11). As Sadje points out, Chan argues for replacing elite theologies (not grounded on the grassroots lived realities) with the ecclesial experience (derived from the lived realities of both theologians and laity).

In chapter three, Sadje reviews Filipino Liberation theology, especially Eleazar Fernandez’s magnum opus Towards a Theology of Struggle, which offers a theological reading of the Philippines considering its colonial past and socio-political challenges (64-65). As in the previous chapter, Sadje compares Chan’s ecclesial experience with Fernandez’s hermeneutic of the underside (67-69). Interestingly, Chan and Fernandez agree that “theologizing is a community affair” (67). Fernandez, however, specifies the interlocuters of theologizing as “the poor, marginalized, and oppressed Filipino people” (69).

Finally, in chapter four, Sadje converges ideas deduced from previous chapters to offer “alternative guidelines for doing grassroots Asian theologies” (75). After explaining the challenges in doing Filipino theology, he then adopts the Critical Asian Principle (CAP) espoused by the Associate for Theological Education in Southeast Asia (ATESEA) (78). Despite criticisms against the CAP, Sadje affirms its continuing relevance in developing holistic grassroots theologies. Moreover, he offers four considerations in developing Filipino grassroots theology: the necessity of contextualization, political and economic engagement, ecological/environmental response, and ecumenical-interreligious engagement (90).

In the final analysis, Sadje points to the overlap between Liberation and Pentecostal theology, commenting that both lean toward grassroots theologizing to develop a living theology. Indeed, local theologies today generally lean towards theologizing with grounded realities in mind. For Sadje, Chan’s ecclesial experience, Ma’s Pentecostal method, Fernandez’ theology of struggle, and ATESEA’s Critical Asian Principle, when cumulatively considered, may lead to deeper theological insights in the Filipino context (90-91).

Sadje’s expositions are insightful. He does a fair job of promoting the move toward contextualization and proposing a framework for constructing theologies in the Filipino context. As a way forward, I encourage sufficient consideration of Pentecostal distinctives in his guidelines. To be considered a successful integration of Liberationist and Pentecostal systems, the inclusion of Pentecostalism’s trialectic (Spirit-Scripture-Community) in biblical interpretation can be added into the loci theologici. Sadje can delve deeper into this oft-discussed framework as he attempts to integrate both systems into a holistic grassroots method.

Despite the above notations, Sadje’s work contributes significantly to developing methodologies for Filipino theologizing. His monograph helps to fill theological lacuna in Asia and urges Filipino Pentecostals to be much more involved in public theology.

Reviewed by Lora Angeline E. Timenia

Introduction to the latest issue of AJPS, 22:2, from Dave Johnson.

In this issue of the Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies we are pursuing a more general theme called Theological Issues in Asia. While a multitude of issues could be chosen, our intent here is to allow the various authors to define the issues for the contexts in which they serve. The Journal is downloadable for free at www.aptspress.org.

Jacqueline Grey, an Old Testament scholar who served as an Australian missionary in a Muslim majority nation for three years, opens this edition by discussing the concept of the Missio Dei (Mission of God), limiting her treatment to Isaiah 6:1-9:6.

Prudencio Coz, a Filipino pastor, opens his article by posing the question, “What is the difference between Monday morning and Sunday?’ He then deals with the issue of vocation and its reciprocal economic and spiritual implications.

Korean scholar Sang Yun Lee, drawing from his book, A Theology of Hope: Contextual Perspectives in Korean Pentecostalism (Baguio City, Philippines: APTS Press, 2018), takes a serious look at Yonggi Cho’s well-known Three Fold Blessing theology. Originally formulated and taught in the context of the devastation of post-war Korea, Lee contends that Cho’s message needs to be recontextualized to address the ecclesiastical and sociological challenges of the 21st century.

Myanmar pastor Stephen Shwe concludes this edition with a two-part article dealing with the tension between zeal and knowledge, especially when it comes to theological education or ministerial training.

The entire Journal team joins me in wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

In Christ,

Dave Johnson, DMiss
Managing Editor

On this website you will find:

• All of the new books that we have published over the last five years—all available at good prices.
• Over 200 articles on Pentecostal Theology, Missions and History, dating back to the beginning of the Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies in 1998. All articles are downloadable and absolutely free!
• Dozens of book reviews and editorials

Please drop us a line and let us know what you think of the site. We want to hear from you!

Dave Johnson, DMiss

Press Director & Journal editor

I have provided below what I hope might be a useful introduction to the ACPT website and myself, including a blurb on my recent book on speaking in tongues.

The Asian Center for Pentecostal Theology

This month [March 2016] marks the official launching of the website for the Asian Center for Pentecostal Theology (www.pentecost.asia).  The Asian Center of Pentecostal Theology (ACPT) was established by Robert Menzies (Kunming, China) in conjunction with four contributing editors: Dongsoo Kim of Korea; Gani Wiyono of Indonesia; Lim Yeu Chuen of Malaysia; and Timothy Yeung of Hong Kong.

The ACPT seeks to strengthen the church in Asia by promoting Pentecostal theology, ministry, and experience in the region.  The ACPT seeks to be: A meeting place for a community of pastors and scholars committed to Pentecostal values and ministry; a digital library of books, articles, book reviews, and blogs that seek to bring clarity to the Pentecostal message, encourage the Church in its mission, and edify the body of Christ; a catalyst for research, writing, and publication of books and articles in Asia that address Pentecostal themes; a forum for discussion of topics relevant to Pentecostal theology and praxis, and for posting news about related events.

The ACPT’s founder, Robert Menzies (PhD, University of Aberdeen), is an Assemblies of God minister and a well-known Pentecostal scholar.  He has lived and served in China for the past 22 years and serves as the Director of Synergy, a rural service organization based in Kunming, China.  He now also directs the Asian Center for Pentecostal Theology.  Dr. Menzies’ most recent book was released earlier this month (March, 2016) and is entitled, Speaking in Tongues: Jesus and the Apostolic Church as Models for the Church Today.  Craig Keener, well known to PneumaReview.com readers, describes the book with these words:

“As always, Robert Menzies, one of Pentecostalism’s leading scholars, provides careful exegesis, weighing various alternatives and coming to reasoned conclusions, offering fresh insights for all interpreters to consider. His passionate, pastoral concerns mixed with live observations, especially from our brothers and sisters in China, add further to this book’s value. Even those who dissent from some of his conclusions should appreciate and learn from his magnificent literary explorations and intriguing proposals. This book should make us all the more grateful for the beautiful, Spirit-led gift of worship in tongues.” —Craig S. Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary