The leader of one of the world’s largest Bible publishing and delivery ministries tells us about William Tyndale and his passion to make the Bible accessible to everyone.
Michael Heiser’s The Unseen Realm (2015) has generated significant interest in evangelical and broadly biblical-theological circles for its claim to recover a neglected “divine council” worldview as the organizing framework for reading Scripture. This review essay by Rick Wadholm Jr argues that Heiser’s project, while erudite and stimulating in its Ancient Near Eastern scholarship, erects a maximalist theological superstructure on a textual and hermeneutical foundation that will not bear the weight placed upon it.
Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, I Believe. Help My Unbelief! Christian Beliefs for a Religiously Pluralistic and Secular World (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2024), 456 pages, ISBN 9781725276673. There is a certain honesty in the title I Believe. Help My Unbelief! that immediately signals both the ambition and the vulnerability of Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen’s book. Borrowed from the anguished prayer of the…
All five volumes of Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen’s series, A Constructive Christian Theology for the Pluralistic World, were reviewed by Stephen M. Vantassel. From the publisher: Kärkkäinen’s Constructive Christian Theology for the Pluralistic World is a five-volume project that aims to develop a new approach to and method of doing Christian theology in our pluralistic world at…
Presence Is a Verb—a State of Being and an Action The woman abruptly arose from the Sunday dinner table and accusingly spoke to her husband, “You wouldn’t care if I drowned in the waterhole.” She then turned and walked out the door. It had been a typical Sunday for the sixteen-year-old girl. The Pentecostal family…
How long did God expect prophecy to function in the church? The Duration of Prophecy: How Long Will Prophecy Be Used in the Church? (Part 1) from the Spring 2001 issue. The Duration of Prophecy: How Long Will Prophecy Be Used in the Church? (Part 2) from the Summer 2001 issue. The Duration of Prophecy:…
PneumaReview.com: What led you to write a book on the subject of suffering? Craig Keener: Seeing what dominates our culture’s interests reinforced my feeling that the church in the U.S. is largely unprepared for suffering. Although the Bible talks a lot about suffering, sometimes when it strikes people who have heard only messages about blessing,…
Raul Mock of The Pneuma Review recently interviewed bestselling author Frank Viola about his new book The Untold Story of the New Testament Church (2025) with Foreword by Craig Keener. Raul Mock: For PneumaReview.com readers that have not yet encountered you, please tell us about your spiritual journey and your ministry. Frank Viola: I’m…
PneumaReview.com: If you were sitting down for a cup of coffee with a church leader for the first time, how would you introduce yourself and the work you do? Holly Beers and Craig Keener: We love the Bible, and at heart we want to understand it well and help others understand it also. That’s how…
A Bible teacher’s take on the current crisis of Christian manners This article disputes the idea that it is ok for Christians to be rude. Bad manners are not trivial. Rudeness is hurtful to believers and a poor witness to the world. I am not talking about ordinary believers who are having a bad…
Every chapter from Professor Williams’ book, The Gift of the Holy Spirit Today, about the greatest reality of our time. Spring 2002: Author’s Preface Spring 2002: Introduction Spring 2002: Chapter One: Background Summer 2002: Chapter Two: Dimensions Fall 2002: Chapter Three: Response Winter 2003: Chapter Four: Purpose, Part 1 Spring 2003: Chapter Four: Purpose, Part…
PneumaReview.com: Please tell our readers briefly about your conversion experience. Carol Kaminski: I grew up in Australia in a Christian family, but my parents got divorced when I was young, and they stopped going to church. I continued to attend youth group at the local Baptist church and God provided wonderful “spiritual parents” who invited…
Ready to be the Voice of God, with Tania Harris Interview with Rev. Dr. Tania Harris about her new book, God Dreams: How to Hear God’s Voice in Dreams and Vision PneumaReview.com: You have recently published a new book about dreams and visions. Please name some New Testament believers who experienced dreams and visions….
This introduction to revival and his personal testimony, from atheist to revivalist, is an excerpt from Ian Hall’s book, Times of Renewal: A History and Theology of Revival and Spiritual Awakenings (Encourage Publishing, 2024). Revival is a major topic of interest in the Christian world today. Newspaper and magazine articles, both religious and secular,…
Editor Introduction (Winter 2007) David Livermore (Winter 2007) Is “cultural relevance” an effective and theologically sound wineskin for the emergent church or is it moving Christianity toward oblivion? Suggested Reading (Spring 2007) Winfield Bevins (Spring 2007) Dony Donev (Spring 2007) Suggested Reading (Summer 2007) B. Keith Putt (Summer…
PneumaReview.com speaks with Dr. Timothy Laurito who is a pastor, educator, scholar, speaker, and award-winning author. He challenges all followers of Jesus to invite the Holy Spirit to move in and through us more powerfully, especially those believers that already acknowledge the Spirit’s work today. PneumaReview.com: Your first book Speaking in Tongues: A Multidisciplinary…
An excerpt from Michael L. Brown’s latest book: Seize the Moment: How to Fuel the Fires of Revival. Revival is God’s work. It comes from the heavenly throne, not from human effort, and it comes with intensity. That is the very essence of revival: it is sovereign (in that we cannot schedule it or…
Vital Aspects of the Holy Spirit The doctrine of the Holy Spirit has been present from the time of the primitive church and on into the 20th century. However, generally speaking, what has been lacking is His concrete influence in the same way that was evident in the early days of Pentecost, in the primitive…
The Holy Spirit has been making Jesus known in China. Veteran missionary Dennis Balcombe shares what he has seen unfolding during his more than fifty years of ministry in China. Bible teachers believe that many prophecies will have a double fulfillment. The first fulfillment was in the Biblical days and subsequently the last days before…
A unique commentary on Matthew, the Gospel to the Hebrews, by Messianic teacher Kevin Williams. The Secret Codes in Matthew: Examining Israel’s Messiah (Part 1) The Secret Codes in Matthew: Examining Israel’s Messiah (Part 2) The Secret Codes in Matthew: Examining Israel’s Messiah (Part 3) The Secret Codes in Matthew: Examining Israel’s Messiah (Part 4)…
Here we are post-pandemic, surprised and encouraged by a move of God in the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. The revival (or renewal as some call it) started on February 8, 2023, during the school’s chapel service and went on for fifteen days. Basically, it was fifteen days of 24-hour prayer and worship….
I teach at Asbury Seminary, which is a distinct institution from Asbury University, but my wife Médine teaches French at the university and both my kids attended there. So, I don’t feel guilty cutting across the university campus to get to work. Three years ago, I was cutting across the campus when a zealous African-American…
How should we lead the church? A Pneuma Review conversation Over several issues, from Summer 2010 through Winter 2012, The Pneuma Review heard from theologians and pastors from around the world about how we should lead the local church. If you could write a letter to church leaders everywhere, what would you say? Join us as we…
The Praying in the Spirit Series. Robert W. Graves wrote Praying in the Spirit (Chosen Books) in 1987, when it received great reviews from a number of Pentecostal/charismatic scholars and leaders including John Sherrill, Dr. Vinson Synan, Dr. Gordon Fee, Dr. William Menzies, Dr. Howard Ervin, Dr. Walter Martin, and Dr. Stanley Horton. It is…
A radical move In 2002 I was contemplating an interstate move on the basis of a dream. ‘Move to Sydney,’ the Spirit had said, ‘and you will become the Academic Dean of Hillsong College.’ At the time, I had been working two part-time jobs – one at a local Bible college, and the other, pastoring…
The Gospel in History series by Christian Historian Woodrow Walton.
How has God worked through his people to keep and spread the true good news about Jesus Christ despite global-scale opposition?
A review essay of Larry Martin’s Charles Fox Parham “Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD, and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out” (Psalm 109:14 NKJV). Larry Martin, Charles Fox Parham: The Unlikely Father of Modern Pentecostalism (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2022), 224 pages, ISBN 9781641238014….
Editor’s note: This academic paper by Peter Althouse, whom Jürgen Moltmann described in his autobiography as one of “the younger theologians of the Pentecostal movement,” investigates the roots of the Keswick movement and its influence on Pentecostalism. 1. Introduction The first Keswick Convention convened in June 1875, when a few hundred men and women gathered…
Robert P. Menzies, Christ-Centered: The Evangelical Nature of Pentecostal Theology (Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books, 2020), 166 pages, ISBN 9781725267824. A few years ago, I was having lunch with a good friend, the editor-in-chief of a flagship evangelical magazine. I knew him well enough to raise a question: “Tell me something: Why do your articles regularly…
Christian historian Woodrow Walton continues his series on how the good news of what Jesus had done has spread around the world. In Part 4, we read how his followers made the love of God more real in England and the USA as they immersed themselves in charitable work. The Great Commission was being realized…
Hormoz Shariat firmly believes that Iran will be the first Islamic nation that turns to Christ. He says it is ready for a major transformation—spiritually, socially, financially, and politically, and that it will be a Christian nation soon, as prophesied in Jeremiah 49:38. PneumaReview.com spoke with Dr. Shariat about how he came to Jesus, what…
Pneuma Review speaks with Dean Merrill about his book, 50 Pentecostal and Charismatic Leaders Every Christian Should Know (Chosen, 2021). PneumaReview.com: Please tell us about your own involvement in the Pentecostal Movement. Dean Merrill: My parents—good Midwestern Quakers—were drawn toward a fuller experience of the Holy Spirit about the time I was born. My…
Christian historian Woodrow Walton continues his investigation into the origins of the modern movements that inspired Christians to go and share the mission and message of Jesus throughout the world. When studying how living out the gospel changed the social fabric of the early nineteenth century England, Europe, and North America, several figures must be…
Pneuma Review speaks with Dr. Michael Brown about his 2020 book Revolution. PneumaReview.com: Revolution and revival are subjects that you have addressed in a number of your books. What experiences in your life birthed your passion for these things? Dr. Michael Brown: Although I had been preaching the message of repentance since my first…
What does Spirit-empowered Christianity look like around the world? Pneuma Review speaks with Todd M. Johnson and Gina A. Zurlo, directors of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity and editors of the third edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia. PneumaReview.com: What is Spirit-Empowered Christianity and how is it defined? Todd M. Johnson…
Larry Martin started PentecostalGold.com to share recordings of classic sermons from Pentecostal preachers. Pneuma Review caught up with this busy evangelist and author to ask him about this golden archive available to the public without cost or obligation. PneumaReveiw.com: Please tell our readers a bit about yourself. Larry Martin: I am an Assemblies of God…
Christian historian Woodrow Walton continues his investigation into the origins of the modern movements that inspired Christians to go and share the mission and message of Jesus throughout the world. In Part 3, he invites us to learn more about the Quakers and other marginalized groups whose convictions had them following God on paths often…
F.F. Bosworth (1877-1958) was a central figure in the Pentecostal movement of the early 20th century and the Post-World War II healing revival. His impact as a famous healing evangelist was unmistakable, and his book, Christ the Healer, remains a popular text on divine healing. Pentecostal church history would be incomplete without his story. One of…
Dennis Balcombe has been sharing the story of Jesus in China for over 50 years. Read what this veteran missionary has to say about following God’s call, cultural immersion, watching revival unfold, and how you can be part of the work God is doing wherever you are. PneumaReview.com: You were called to missions while…
Have you had difficulty receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit, or is it difficult for you to help others receive it? With Scriptural teaching, it is very simple to understand and receive. I would like to share one example of how easy this can be. In January 1991, I attended the National Reserve Officers…
Paul King is a pastor, theologian, historian, and educator. In his book, Is It of God, he provided much needed biblical and practical counsel about discernment. This article is a chapter from the second volume of Is It of God, bringing seasoned wisdom to a controversial topic. It is clear from Scripture that God…
Christian historian Woodrow Walton continues his investigation into the origins of the modern movements that inspired Christians to go and share the mission and message of Jesus throughout the world. The Making of the Christian Global Mission Part 2: Missions to the First Americans Before proceeding to dealing with the spread and growth of…
John Lathrop wrote to many Pentecostal/charismatic Bible teachers to ask them if they have found that God is speaking to people more frequently or vividly through dreams during this time of isolation. Here are some of the responses that he received, may they become prompts to you for prayer. Carolyn Tennant A former student (graduate) of…
Antipas Harris introduces his new book, the serious challenge behind it, and his invitation to join him in proclaiming anew that Jesus is Good News for everyone. Without doubt, we are living through troubled times. The world is engulfed in noxious uncertainties: contentious politics, racial unrest, hate groups and global warming, to name a few….
“Why should I stop?” I asked myself. The big fellow standing in the road holding up his hand was not in police uniform.[1] It is not uncommon cycling in Kenya, to have people wave me down just to ask me to give them money. Something told me that this was serious. Other traffic was stopping….
Pneuma Review had the privilege of speaking with two brave women that God used to share the story of Jesus with thousands in their homeland of Iran. Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh introduce themselves: We were born into Muslim families in Iran. As young adults we became Christians and met each other while studying…
This article is a chapter from the Rev. William De Arteaga’s forthcoming book, Saints, Heroes and Villains of the Anglican Healing Awakening. To my knowledge no other Anglican church, or any other church, has such an effective and robust ministry of healing and deliverance as The Falls Church Anglican of Falls Church, Virginia…
Dr. R. T. Kendall has been preaching for over sixty years. He has also personally experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. For twenty-five years he served as the pastor of Westminster Chapel in London. He is the author of many books and now ministers internationally. He is a strong advocate for bringing together in…
Christian historian Woodrow Walton takes another look at the causes and effects of global navigation by ships sailing from Europe and how the mission and message of Jesus was carried throughout the world. The Maritime Global Expansion: End of the Fifteenth Century to the Present A few year prior to the fall of Constantinople…
Those who are familiar with the New Testament book of Acts, perhaps especially Pentecostal believers, know that people in various places in the first century world received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the physical sign of speaking in tongues. Both Jews (Acts 2) and Gentiles (Acts 10) had this experience. This pattern has…
Those who are familiar with the New Testament book of Acts, perhaps especially Pentecostal believers, know that people in various places in the first century world received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the physical sign of speaking in tongues. Both Jews (Acts 2) and Gentiles (Acts 10) had this experience. This pattern has…
Speaking with us about his book, The Language of Heaven, pastor-scholar Sam Storms discusses the gift of tongues and the blessing it is to individuals and the local church. Pneuma Review: At this point in church history speaking in tongues is still a controversial subject. What would you say to someone who refers to…
As Western Europeans sailed the seas to trade and settle around the world, how did they carry the mission and message of Jesus with them? The first long voyages of the Portuguese merchant mariners touched seashores around the world. In their wake came Portuguese Catholic priests to the mission fields of Angola on the…
In this excerpt from Leaving Buddha, Eugene Bach introduces us to the amazing story of Tenzin Lahkpa, a Buddhist monk who had a powerful encounter with Jesus the Messiah. When I began to write this book, my relationship with Tenzin Lahkpa (a pseudonym) was completely new. I met him at a lunch meeting in…
The biblical principles of discernment are based on the seven foundation blocks of the previous chapter: Discernment is God-given, Christ-centered, Spirit-guided, prayer-saturated, Scripture-based, corporately-confirmed, divinely-balanced. Eight biblical principles of discernment, based on the acronym DISCERNS, include the following: Discover Biblical Precedent. Investigate for Scriptural Harmony. Scrutinize for Sound Doctrine. Confirm with Experience. Examine the Fruit….
Every follower of Jesus is called to be a disciple maker. In this excerpt from his book, The Community of God, Pastor Doug Bursch shows us that the New Testament says discipleship happens in and through community. God cares equally about the individual and the group. He does not give preference to the development…
Historian Woodrow Walton helps us look back over the big events and movement of history to see how God was working to make the story of Jesus known throughout the world. In this postscript to the Resurgence of the Gospel series, he ties together what the challenge of the Turkic-Moslem curtain meant and how it…
How can modern Western sending organizations move away from the legacy of colonialism and avoid creating unhealthy dependencies? To start with, carry out ministry in non-Western contexts using the languages and resources of the host culture. This article from missionary-scholar Jim Harries introduces the radical idea of vulnerable mission. This was initially presented as a…
Having recently read and reviewed Angels of Light by Eddie Hyatt, Pastor Larry Russi asks questions to clarify and go even more in-depth. Larry Russi: Thank you Dr. Hyatt for agreeing to do this interview. I was greatly blessed by your book. Larry Russi: What were the main factors that prompted you to write…
Pneuma Review: Please tell our readers about your Pentecostal roots. Andrew Gabriel: I grew up worshipping in primarily Pentecostal churches, although we did, at times, attend some other denominational churches. After graduating from high school, I studied at a Pentecostal Bible college, and eventually I was ordained in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, as I…
In this excerpt from his book, Jesus in Iran, Eugene Bach shares how God is using dreams and visions to draw Muslims into a relationship with Jesus the Messiah. I would like to state that I am not much into visions and dreams. In Christian circles, I am in the minority. After serving for more…
The Resurgence of the Gospel and the Flowering of the Global Christian Message Part Four: The Reconversion of Europe How did monasteries, hospitality, and persecution lead to the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Part of The Gospel in History series. The Re-conversion of Europe At this juncture, I turn my attention back…
The Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong is one of history’s great anomalies. It was, in fact, a world unto its own.[i] Two governments claimed jurisdiction, but neither actively administered it; anarchy reigned while secret societies presided over the no-man’s land. High-rise apartments situated atop a labyrinth of dark, filthy corridors. A mere six acres…
PneumaReview.com: The Back to Jerusalem ministry that you work with recently released a new study resource called Chasing Revival: A Road Trip Bible Study, where did the idea for this resource come from? Eugene Bach: I travel more than 300 days a year for ministry and see a lot of different types of Christians. I…
Many Christians believe the myth that ‘Spirit-filled’ or even ‘spiritual’ must indicate something or someone a little strange. Depending on how much exposure people have had to the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement, they might associate the words ‘Spirit-filled’ with people who claim to be inspired by the Spirit to bark like dogs, scream, or roll around on…
Missionary David Joannes speaks with Pneuma Review about his book, The Mind of a Missionary, and about sharing the story of Jesus no matter the cost. PneumaReview.com: You are involved in cross-cultural missions. Please tell our readers how long you have served overseas and where. David Joannes: I got started in missions in 1994…
Edie Mourey is an author, editor, historian, and granddaughter of Pentecostal pioneer Ivan Spencer. In this warm story about her adventure to learn more about her own heritage, she discovered anew how all of us that follow hard after Jesus become part of His legacy. Americans seem obsessed with discovering their ancestry. With DNA…
The Resurgence of the Gospel and the Flowering of the Global Christian Message Part Three: The Challenge of the Muslim Curtain Introduction Through upheaval and suppression, being despised by civil governments and facing outright persecution, Christians survived on the other side of the Muslim Curtain. This is part of their story. “The Turkic-Moslem Curtain” is…
Rescuing Our Pentecostal Heritage Randy Clark, Stories of Divine Healing: Supernatural Testimonies that Ignite Faith for Your Healing (NMG/Destiny Image, 2018), 288 pages. While attending the Society For Pentecostal Studies meeting in Cleveland, Tennessee in early 2018, I had a troubling conversation about the viability of divine healing. A young academic told me he accepted…
God wants to unleash the life-changing, bondage-breaking power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Pastor Chas Carrin points out what the Apostle Paul had to say about this and encourages every Jesus follower to pursue spiritual gifts. The Apostle Paul encountered Jesus on the Damascus Road and was born again; three days later in…
In this excerpt from his book, The Supernatural Thread in Methodism: Signs and Wonders Among Methodists Then and Now, Methodist historian and renewalist Frank Billman reveals how miracles and supernatural interventions were widespread in the ministries of John Wesley and the early Methodists. George Whitefield Whitefield first took to preaching in the open air…
The Resurgence of the Gospel and the Flowering of the Global Christian Message Part Two: Recharting the Christian World Mission Church councils, a changing geo-political landscape, invasion and upheavals had a radical impact on how followers of Jesus participated in the Christian mission. It may seem strange but it is from Ephesus that the re-charting…
Do you want God to use you? God has put every believer on a journey to become more like Jesus, to walk in the power of the Spirit to proclaim his kingdom. In this excerpt from his book, Say What? A Biblical and Historical Journey on the Connection between the Holy Spirit, Prophecy, and Tongues,…
The Resurgence of the Gospel and the Flowering of the Global Christian Message Part One: The Medieval Prologue & the Remapping of the World In Retrospect By looking backwards to the beginning of the spread of the Gospel that Jesus is both Lord and Christ and considering the results of both the life, death…
PneumaReview.com speaks with Christian historian and renewalist, Frank Billman, about John Wesley, the Methodist Church, and the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit today. PneumaReview.com: You have written a book called The Supernatural Thread in Methodism. Please tell our readers a little bit about the book. Frank Billman: I have always had an interest in…
According to analysts, Christianity is rapidly advancing across the globe. Some are signifying that 3.2 out of 6.9 billion people currently identify with Jesus.[1] Contrary to genuine concerns, Islam surpassing Christianity is improbable. For one thing, Protestant growth from 1960-2000 was three times global population changes and twice that of Islam.[2] Furthermore, Muslim fertility rates[3]…
Read an excerpt from Dean Merrill’s, Miracle Invasion: Amazing true stories of the Holy Spirit’s gifts at work today. David Killingsworth may have been the honored guest speaker that Sunday night at a multicultural church in Phoenix, but this didn’t stop a humble Navajo lady from approaching him at the end of the service to…
What did God have in mind for you when he gave the gift of tongues to the church? What can you do to prepare yourself to receive this blessing? An excerpt from Larry Christenson’s classic work, Answering Your Questions About Speaking in Tongues. What happens afterward in the lives of the people who pray…
Pneuma Review speaks with Dr. Michael L. Brown about his story, Playing With Holy Fire, and encouraging the biblical use of spiritual gifts. PneumaReview.com: Briefly describe your own personal history in the Pentecostal/Charismatic church. Michael Brown: The Lord saved me in an Italian Pentecostal church in Queens, New York in 1971. That was my first…
A Pentecostal in Rome: Fuller Seminary Professor Mel Robeck shares his story about teaching a course at the Gregorian University in early 2018. Over the past thirty-one years, I have flown 127 round trips between Los Angeles and Europe. Eighteen of those trips have been to Rome, nearly all of which included work with the…
God is doing something amazing in China. With the special permission of the publisher, PneumaReview.com presents Chapter 20 from the book by Eugene Bach and Brother Zhu, The Underground Church. “[T]he house churches of China are growing at a phenomenal rate. Never in the history of the world have so many people in such a…
Pastor J. D. King speaks with PneumaReview.com about the history of divine healing he has written, the three-volume Regeneration: A Complete History of Healing in the Christian Church. PneumaReview.com: Please tell our readers why you chose the name Regeneration for your book on healing. J. D. King: I understand that some will accept this title…
Lilian de Fin, great-granddaughter of Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1947), speaks with PneumaReview.com about Smith Wigglesworth’s ministry and legacy, the re-opening of Bowland Street Mission, her own ministry, and the coming revival. Are you ready for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit? PneumaReview.com: Your great-grandfather, Smith Wigglesworth, was a well-known Pentecostal minister. From a family…
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control … If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Gal. 5:22-25, MEV). The fruit of the Spirit identifies the Spirit-filled believer. Just as speaking with other tongues confirms the baptism in the Holy…
The belief that Christian conversion was followed by a “second blessing” experience originated with eighteenth century Anglican priest and founder of Methodism, John Wesley. As elaborated by Wesley and his associate, the English divine and apologist John Fletcher, this belief laid down much of the theological agenda for the nineteenth-century Holiness movement and the twentieth-century…
Not gifts, not healing, not revival—seek the LORD. Thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, seek Me and live. But do not seek Bethel, nor enter Gilgal, nor cross over to Beersheba. Seek the Lord, and Live (Amos 5:4-6a). Definition: To “seek the Lord” means that we move from an approach to God…
Historian of Revival, William De Arteaga, makes it clear that heresy is an ancient and persistent threat to genuine revival. However, the heresies he examines might surprise you. This essay asserts that there have been three unrecognized discernment heresies in operation throughout Church history that have retarded revival and hindered the Church from coming into…
Eugene Bach speaks with PneumaReview.com about the amazing things he has seen God doing in China, Iran, North Korea, and other difficult places. What can we learn about the causes of the greatest revival of our age? How can you learn more about these Jesus movements that few others seem to be talking about? …
PneumaReview.com speaks with Eugene Bach, a spokesman and leader of the Chinese mission movement, Back to Jerusalem, about their vision and the amazing things they have seen God do as they carry the good news to the world’s most restrictive places. Please tell our readers where and when the Back to Jerusalem Movement began. The…
What can Christians today learn from the successes and failures of Christians in the first fifteen centuries of the breaking out of the Good News of Jesus the Christ? This article by historian Woodrow Walton is an Epilogue to The Gospel In History series. With apologies to the Gregorian Calendar, A.D. 28 is selected as…
Church historian William De Arteaga introduces an important but often forgotten figure that God used to prepare many for the Charismatic Renewal.
In this March 2016 paper, Kyle Smith notes important issues about how Christians, particularly Pentecostals, are influenced by social media and how churches are using it to increase their reach. Where has the center moved? The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of social media on the Pentecostal church. The history and…
Lisa Sharon Harper is a follower of Jesus calling all followers of Jesus to love every person the same and seek their flourishing. PneumaReview.com speaks with her about her story and how God is inviting each of us to participate with him in making his Gospel of Peace real in our communities today. PneumaReview.com: Please…
I was raised in the 1950s, in the pre-Vatican II Catholic Church, and was taught that Martin Luther led the “Protestant Revolt” against the Catholic Church. Worse, he was largely responsible for “rending the unity” of the Universal Church. Even today, when Catholics no longer attack Luther directly, they often slyly point out how many…
PneumaReview.com: When were you baptized in the Holy Spirit what differences did this experience bring to your ministry? Jack Sheffield: In 1973, I was converted to Christianity out from a pagan background, and I was baptized in the Holy Spirit in the same moment I was saved. I spoke in a heavenly language not even…
The largest revival in Christian history: PneumaReview.com speaks with Bible smuggler and missionary to Asia, Paul Hattaway, about his ministry and new autobiography, An Asian Harvest. PneumaReview.com: You are the founder of a ministry called Asia Harvest. What prompted you to start this ministry and what types of work does Asia Harvest do? Paul…
Introduction Tears universally exist across cultures and throughout history. The Bible records many examples of tears both from humans and from God. In this paper I will explore tears in culture and in various religious traditions. I will explore tears in theology and describe some possibilities for improving churches based on a theology of tears….
Everyone with the most rudimentary knowledge of Christianity knows the most significant revival during the past several centuries was the Pentecostal revival that began at a mission-church on Azusa Street, Los Angeles, USA around April 1906. From that revival missionaries filled with the Holy Spirit went to the nations of the world preaching the Full…
Robert W. Graves, Praying in the Spirit (Tulsa, OK, Empowered Life, 2017), 280 pages, ISBN 9781680310870. Praying in the Spirit was first released in 1987. Now, thirty years later, it has been re-released in an updated and expanded edition. Robert Graves is eminently qualified to write about this subject because of his longstanding connections to…
Introduction “Simplifying in the extreme, I define postmodern as incredulity toward metanarratives.”1 “A massive intellectual revolution is taking place that is perhaps as great as that which marked off the modern world from the Middle Ages. The foundations of the modern world are collapsing, and we are entering a postmodern world. The principles forged during…
PneumaReview.com: Please tell our readers briefly what your film The Insanity of God is about. Nik and Ruth Ripken: The Insanity of God journeys with Nik and Ruth Ripken as they seek to walk in obedience and follow what God has asked of them. From the hills of Kentucky to the villages of Africa they…
PneumaReview.com: Why did you choose to write a book on theology? Charles Carrin: I had a specific God-instruction to write a “charismatic catechism” for the benefit of Spirit-filled believers who had no such resource. I began working and the book assumed the nature of a theological-treatise. There are 300 questions and answers on a progression…
Wars without end, daily terror, displacement of entire populations: Can the medieval Church help us understand how to respond to our troubles today? What relationship should there be between the Church and political power? What should we make of how monks lived out their understanding of the good news of Jesus on the margins of…
Messianic teacher Kevin Williams offers a compelling reason to trust in God alone. First, I must confess that I believed in God at a very young age. Only the Almighty knows who the two men were who visited my house those many years ago. I came home from the park one summer’s eve to find…
Pastor and ministry coach, Dan Reiland, says there are important lessons to be learned in the garden about leadership. My brother Lan is the one in the family with a green thumb. He and his wife Stacey live in Southern California, and their yard is a registered wildlife habitat. When he first told me, I…
Roger E. Olson, “Reinhold Niebuhr and Stanley Hauerwas: Can Their Approaches to Christian Political Ethics be ‘Bridged?’” Patheos (February 27 and 28, 2017). Part 1. Part 2. This two-part article by the noted Evangelical scholar, Roger Olson, should be of interest to practically every reader of Pneuma Review. The article deals with two prominent theologians…
The Executive Director of Christians Care International, Don Horwitz, speaks with PneumaReview.com about anti-Semitism, the relationship between the Church and Judaism, and his own journey to help the vulnerable and abused in the former Soviet Union. PneumaReview.com: Please tell us a little about yourself, your religious background, family, and your involvement with Christians Care…
Mike Dies and I were able to attend the 46th Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies which was held at the St. Louis Marriott Hotel, March 9-11, 2017. I always enjoy the opportunity to listen to what world-class Pentecostal scholars are producing and it is a real pleasure to reconnect with PneumaReview.com writers….
If you are a Christian from North America or Europe, when you enter the Holy Trinity Church in Kunming, China, the architecture of this beautiful, stately structure will immediately remind you of home, of traditional churches in the West. It even has a steeple. The atmosphere of quiet reverence will also seem familiar to Western…
New Testament scholar Craig S. Keener speaks with PneumaReview.com about his new book, Spirit Hermeneutics. PneumaReview.com: Please define for our readers what you mean by “Spirit Hermeneutics.” Craig S. Keener: Spirit hermeneutics is listening for God’s voice and heart in Scripture. Obviously I do believe in doing our homework, exploring cultural background and understanding…
Recently I was in a South Florida home with a young man who had captured a wild hawk and in a short time had converted it into an obedient Falcon. At the sound of a whistle, the bird would fly from its perch, light on the man’s arm, take food offered it, and on command…
John Chryssavgis, Bartholomew: Apostle and Visionary (Nashville, TN: W. Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson, 2016), 272 pages, ISBN 9780718086893. My journey with Orthodox brothers and sisters started with Brighton ’91. With assistance from Monsignor Peter Hocken, I put together this first global conference for Pentecostal scholars. The keynote speaker was Professor Jürgen Moltmann…
In this guest article by Rev. Percy McCray, he offers excellent practical suggestions for strengthening your local community of Jesus followers. It’s the start of a new year and thoughts turn to eating better, getting more organized, or even reconnecting with old friends. But within your New Year’s resolutions, are you considering the health of your church? The following are…
What people get paid is a sensitive and personal topic. It is no different for church staff, and particularly so for pastors who often live under standards and scrutiny higher than of volunteers. This mini-series will dive into a candid look at this practical and often complicated topic. In my first full time job out…
Introduction This article is a spiritual and historical reflection on the two American wars of the Cold War, Korea and Vietnam. Many younger American readers may not be aware that the British successfully fought a Communist insurgency in Malaya (1948-1960) and the French fought the First Indochina War against Communist insurgents from 1948-1953 (described below)…
Pastor Vreeland offers a defense, analysis, and refinement of the theology of the Word of Faith Movement.
Reappraising the Christian Faith During Late Antiquity: AD 175-400. Christian historian, Woodrow Walton, invites us to take another look at the early church and the struggles it faced as it emerged from the Apostolic Age and became the state religion of the crumbling Roman Empire. Part of The Gospel in History series. What is…
Leah Payne speaks with PneumaReview.com about her book, Gender and Pentecostal Revivalism. PneumaReview.com: For your book, Gender and Pentecostal Revivalism, why did you concentrate on the ministry of two revivalists? Leah Payne: I wanted to explore how gender (as well as race and class) shaped Pentecostal Revivalism over time, so I chose revivalists who…
Historian William De Arteaga introduces us to the beginning and early years of the Charismatic Movement, when Pentecostalism and the gifts of the Spirit publicly and dramatically entered into the mainline churches. Previous articles in this series covered the origins of Pentecostalism, and the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International. Both groups played…
What has God called you to do? In this chapter from Your Call to Work & Mission: Following Jesus 24/7, Johan Mostert challenges all followers of Jesus to remember those trapped in poverty and take practical steps to demonstrate God’s love for them. Evangelism, global missions, and discipling others—topics from the previous section—are urgent. They…
Doctors Craig and Médine Keener speak with PneumaReview.com about their new book, Impossible Love. PneumaReview.com: Craig, you are a highly respected biblical scholar and a seminary professor. In Impossible Love, you mention that the Presence of God played a very important part in your conversion and that after becoming a Christian you prophesied regularly…
Part 2 of an excerpt from Peter Ostrander’s book, New Testament Healing. Read Part 1 in the Winter 2016 issue: “The Holy Spirit and the Ministries of Jesus.” The Holy Spirit and the Ministry of the Disciples I am personally interested in finding out whether healings that are carried out by believers follow a pattern…
PneumaReview.com speaks with Rolland Baker about Iris Global and his new book, Keeping the Fire. PneumaReview.com: Many people know about the work that you and Heidi are doing in Mozambique but Iris Global has leaders in over 30 nations. What are some of the other nations that Iris works in? Rolland Baker: Yes, we…
Matthew Elliot, project director for the Africa Study Bible, speaks with PneumaReview.com about this soon-to-arrive resource that millions of Africans have been praying for. PneumaReview.com: Where did the idea for the Africa Study Bible originate? Matthew Elliot: After ten years working in Africa and observing the needs first hand, by 2005 the leadership of Oasis…
David Garrison, A Wind in the House of Islam: How God is drawing Muslims around the World to faith in Jesus Christ (Monument, CO: WigTake Resources, 2014), 307 pages. As the sub-title of Garrison’s book suggests, this book provides both an historical narrative and analysis of how the wind of the Holy Spirit is drawing…
Every church has an awesome privilege of supporting, encouraging, training, and equipping each person to fulfill their God-given purpose. Party Time? Everyone loves a good party. We all love to celebrate our accomplishments and enjoy our successes—not to mention relishing the flattery of our peers. Relish …That reminds me, we’re going to need almost a dozen…
Pastor-scholar Tony Richie says there is no Jewish-Christian-Muslim God. Nor is there a simple answer to the “Same God” question. When people realize I participate in interreligious dialogue and cooperative efforts they often ask me some version of the question in the main title of this post.[1] If I manage to mention that I have…
What has God called you to do? In this chapter from Your Call to Work & Mission: Following Jesus 24/7, Lois Olena shows why and how followers of Jesus should participate in caring for the creation God has made. It’s Sunday morning, and your adult class welcomes the day’s speaker. She steps up to the…
Jeanne Harper, Visited by God: The Story of Michael Harper’s 48 Year-long Ministry (Aquila Books, 2013), 146 pages. Visited by God is the extraordinary spiritual journey of an extraordinary Spiritual man – Michael Harper. I think that I would not be missing the mark to say that Michael Harper was the leader of the Charismatic…
Frederick J. Murphy, Apocalypticism in the Bible and Its World: A Comprehensive Introduction (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012), xviii + 429 pages. Bruce Chilton, Visions of the Apocalypse: Receptions of John’s Revelation in Western Imagination (Waco, Tex.: Baylor University Press, 2013). vi + 169 pages. These two books are very different – length-wise, style, and…
Pastor Dan Brown offers practical suggestions for taking your church to the next level of significance. Most of us have been stuck somewhere, somehow—in the desert sand off the main road; up a tree we climbed in our pre-adolescence; or, on a tricky algebra problem. But somehow, someway we got unstuck. When our tires spun…
Bible teacher Eddie Hyatt briefly looks at the unhealthy emphasis some place on supernatural signs and wonders. He challenges us to “Follow Jesus and let the signs follow you.” If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the…
What Spirit-filled pastors and leaders need to know about prophecy in the church. For several years I regularly attended a local Pentecostal church. The pastor believed in all of the gifts of the Spirit and often prayed in tongues during the music ministry. However, on the rare occasions that anyone in the congregation prayed aloud…
When the Empire made the Church into one of its institutions, how could the radical good news about Jesus the Christ continue to break out and change lives? Part of The Gospel in History series. Conundrum is a strange adjective, yet it is appropriate when one considers the state of the Christian message from AD…
Pastor John Lathrop talks about the inescapable reality of conflict in the body of Christ. The apostle Paul, writing to Timothy, said “If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task” (1 Tim. 3:1, NIV). The work is definitely noble but the task is not always easy. Timothy knew that…
William L. De Arteaga, Agnes Sanford and Her Companions: The Assault on Cessationism and the Coming of the Charismatic Renewal (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2015), ISBN 9781625649997 William De Arteaga has created a ground-breaking, major contribution that is foundational to the evolving understanding of the Pentecostal/charismatic movement projected to reach 811 million in only…
Owen Strachan, The Colson Way: Loving Your Neighbor and Living with Faith in a Hostile World (Thomas Nelson, 2015). The Colson Way, by Owen Strachan, models, urges and inspires a new generation of courageous Christians to engage and to lead. Wanted: Torch-bearers in the lineage of Augustine, Luther, Wilberforce, Bonhoeffer, Schaeffer, Henry and Colson. (Where…
Karl Barth was an influential Swiss Reformed theologian that lived from 1886 to 1968. Featured on postage stamps and the cover of Time (April 20, 1962), today we would call him a rock star among theologians. A strong critic of those Christians who supported the Nazis, Barth is best known for his involvement in the…
What would you do if you learned you had leprosy? Pastor John Lathrop interviews pastor and missionary Dan Izzett about his ministry and advocacy for those afflicted with the ancient, debilitating disease. John Lathrop: Please tell us where you come from and how you began your walk with Jesus. Dan Izzett: When I was…
Logic on Fire: The Life and Legacy of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Media Gratiae, 2015). Matthew Robinson, director. 3 disc DVD set with 5 postcard prints and cloth-bound book (128 pages). Logic on Fire is a documentary film about the life and ministry of the greatest preacher of the twentieth century, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981). I…
Introduction Twentieth century Pentecostalism reawakened the world to miracles. The growth of this movement activated individuals in established religion to wrestle with a major player on the world scene of Christianity. Even so, as Pentecostalism expands, the cessationist view resuscitates a theological position that corresponds with the European intellectual development of the late seventeenth and…
Reading news that diplomats say they have an agreement that would block Iran from developing nuclear weapons and prevent another war, my mind went back to the 1979 hostage crisis. As a 19-years-old American, I was so outraged by the treatment of our diplomats that I enlisted in the Navy to prepare for the coming…
John Lathrop interviewed Harvey Cox at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1996 about his book, Fire From Heaven. What prompted you to write a book about the Pentecostal Movement? Two things prompted me. One was my discovery which came through my great interest in urban ministry. This discovery was that although the…
Chasing conspiracy theories is not going to solve any problems. True restoration begins when God’s people repent and walk in righteousness. A recent conspiracy theory has garnered much national attention. It involves “Jade Helm 15,” an Armed Services training exercise employing the elite units of the Armed Forces in counter-terrorist warfare. About 1,200 servicemen will…
Rob Wilkerson’s interview of sociologist Josh Packard about the people who say they are done with church. The book being discussed is: Church Refugees: Sociologists Reveal Why People Are DONE With Church But Not Their Faith by Josh Packard and Ashleigh Hope.
Roger Olson, “Embarrassed by the Supernatural?” (April 29, 2015). Roger Olson’s challenge to Western Christianity about the power of God is a bold and biblical one. Questioning the status quo of our current version of traditional Christianity, he rightly believes that it has, “absorbed the worldview of modernity by relegating the supernatural, miracles, scientifically unexplainable…
Introduction I am personally fully persuaded that the Pentecostal/Charismatic movements have been raised up by God in manifestation of the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit through the Lord Jesus Christ. However, I have noticed two reflex reactions that often occur when the subject of miracles is raised. Either a defensive stance or a…
A film documentary about a Korean pastor saving abandoned babies. The Drop Box is a documentary about the ministry of Pastor Lee Jong-rak in Seoul, South Korea. A significant problem in that city is the abandoning of babies. Some of these children are abandoned because they were born out of wedlock; others are abandoned because…
The Rightly Understanding God’s Word series, with a new introduction, by Craig S. Keener. Editor’s Note: Craig Keener created this introduction to his course of biblical interpretation to appear before Chapter 1: Context (Spring 2003). However, Pneuma Review editors did not receive it in time to publish it in the print edition of the journal. We…
Editor’s note: After passing along an invitation to speak at an upcoming conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, I asked Dr. Craig S. Keener about his current writing projects. – Raul Mock In terms of things regularly coming out, there’s my blogsite, although I don’t produce blogs as fast as many people do! In terms of books,…
John DeVries, Why Pray? 40 Days—From Words to Relationship, reviewed by David Seal’s Fall 2014 New Testament Survey Class
Editor Introduction: For many Pentecostals and charismatics, John MacArthur’s 2013 book, Strange Fire, represents the same tired arguments used for years by those who believe God is done giving gifts to his church. PneumaReview.com asked The Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship President, Robert Graves, about their response, their first published book, Strangers to Fire: When Tradition…
Ronald J. Sider, Just Politics: A Guide for Christian Engagement (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2012), xvii + 249 pages, ISBN 9781587433269. Ronald J. Sider, Fixing the Moral Deficit: A Balanced Way to Balance the Budget (Downers Grove: IVP Books, 2012), 171 pages, ISBN 9780830837953. Ronald J. Sider, ed., The Early Church and Killing: A…
The grace that Pentecostalism brought to Christendom was to make the use of tongues and the other gifts described by Paul in I Cor. 12 and 14 normal in the life of ordinary Christians.[1] This was something not seen since Apostolic times. Before we examine how tongues came to be normal (or at least…
We are looking for new writers The PneumaReview.com editorial committee is always looking for good writers that speak to our audience of Pentecostal and charismatic church leaders. Our vision is to build a bridge between the seminary and the local church and to create an online forum where Christians of all traditions can discuss the…
Craig S. Keener responds to a critic’s comment posted on his statement about the relationship between anti-supernaturalism and cessationism. I find here, as in the book to which I originally responded, some strange lumping together of all charismatics’ beliefs to the detriment of any particular charismatic. What prompted me to write the…
In this review essay by Rob Wilkerson, he reflects on his background as a disciple of John MacArthur, his becoming a continuationist anyway, and his look at Michael Brown’s book, Authentic Fire: A Response to John MacArthur’s Strange Fire (Excel Publishers, 2013). I loved pillow fights when I was younger. I haven’t enjoyed one…
Breakfast with the Holy Spirit: The FGBMFI In many countries of the world one can go to a fashionable hotel and find a Saturday breakfast meeting of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI).[1] There they will see businessmen raising their hands in adoration and praise to the Lord. A speaker, most likely…
Reinhard Bonnke is an evangelist anointed by God to preach the good news around the world. His intense focus on proclaiming the love, power, and forgiveness found only in Jesus Christ has been blessed by the Lord in amazing ways. Pastor Bonnke has preached in front of more than 74 million. PneumaReview.com: How did…
John MacArthur, Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship (Nashville, TN: Nelson Books, 2013), 333 pages, ISBN 9781400206414. Strange Fire by John MacArthur is a vicious and callous attack on the worldwide Pentecostal/Charismatic movement, and a great affront to the hundreds of millions of born-again Christians in every nation…
“Strange Fire”? Not in a Global Pentecostal Context of Ministry An international panel of ministry veterans responds to John MacArthur’s Strange Fire Dony K. Donev with Dennis Balcombe, Hanny Setiawan and Marius Lombaard Almost one year ago, internationally known author John MacArthur began campaigning for his new book Strange Fire. With lots of material written…
Son of God: Their Empire, His Kingdom (20th Century Fox). Actors: Darwin Shaw, Sebastian Knapp, Paul Knops, and Darcie Lincoln. Directors: Christopher Spencer. Music by Hans Zimmer. Son of God begins with John’s gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” and ends with…
Del Tarr, The Foolishness of God: A Linguist Looks at the Mystery of Tongues (Springfield, MO: The Access Group, 2010), xvii +447 pages, ISBN 9780984447008. Del Tarr, Professor Emeritus and past President of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, who holds a PhD in Communications from the University of Minnesota, applies scientific linguistic and…
Michael L. Brown, Authentic Fire: A Response to John MacArthur’s Strange Fire (Excel Publishers, Dec 12, 2013), 418 pages. In my review of John MacArthur’s Strange Fire, I pointed out what I considered to be inexcusable intellectual dishonesty regarding the Charismatic Movement and its contributions to worldwide Christianity. Blanket statements were made with little…
Jon Mark Ruthven, What’s Wrong with Protestant Theology? Tradition vs. Biblical Emphasis (Tulsa: Word and Spirit Press, 2013), 314 pages, ISBN 9780981952642. Books on Christian theology are often written by academic types: persons of seminary and university training, but with only marginal pastoral experience. This is not true of this work. Dr. Ruthven is…
Every church leader wants to see the people they serve grow in their walk with Jesus, and it is obvious that is why John Hiigel wrote Partnering with the King: Study the Gospel of Matthew and Become a Disciple of Jesus. Join PneumaReview.com for a conversation with Professor Hiigel whose calling is to foster academic…
William W. Menzies, “Non-Wesleyan Pentecostalism: A Tradition: ‘The Finished Work,’” Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies 14:2 (July 2011), pages 187-198. William W. Menzies, “Non-Wesleyan Pentecostalism: A Tradition: The Influence of Fundamentalism,” Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies 14:2 (July 2011), pages 199-211. William W. Menzies, “Non-Wesleyan Pentecostalism: A Tradition: Keswick and the Higher Life,” Asian Journal…
Easter, to me, means that Jesus is in control. His arrest and crucifixion were not events that came upon Him unexpectedly. Instead, right from the very beginning of His ministry, He repeatedly told His disciples, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and on…
R. T. Kendall, Holy Fire: A Balanced, Biblical Look at the Holy Spirit’s Work in Our Lives (Lake Mary: Charisma House, 2014), 256 pages, ISBN 9781621366041. In his nine-page foreword, Jack Hayford rightly titles this “a landmark book.” He also rightly highlights Kendall’s work as irenic (pp. xxi-xxii), offering a notable contrast to some…
Constantine’s Edict of Milan brought an end to the persecution of Christians, but that did not mean the Church was granted favor throughout the Roman Empire. What are the lessons for us today? The impression is often left that with the Edict of Milan that Constantine issued in A.D. 313-314 which brought an end…
Live debate on Predestination and Election Join us on Friday, January 24, at 4pm-6pm EST for a live debate between Dr. Michael Brown and Dr. James White. They will debate the doctrine of Predestination and ask: Did Christ die for all? The debate will be live-streamed again at 9pm EST. Live debate on Divine Healing Come…
Murray W. Dempster, Byron D. Klaus, and Douglas Peterson (eds.), The Globalization of Pentecostalism: A Religion Made to Travel (Irvine, CA: Regnum International, 1999), ISBN 9781870345293. This guest review essay originally appeared in Trinity Journal and is reprinted here by permission of the author. This work[1] is the result of a conference in Costa Rica…
Excerpts from Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, by Craig S. Keener as appearing in Pneuma Review Fall 2013 “Are Miracles Possible?” by Craig S. Keener “Miracle Accounts beyond Antiquity” by Craig S. Keener “Miracle Accounts: Multicultural Approach” by Craig S. Keener “Miracle Accounts: Majority World Perspectives” by Craig S. Keener “Miracles and…
Related articles and videos from Craig S. Keener about his 2-volume Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts
The Fall 2013 issue (16:4) of The Pneuma Review features these articles: The Credibility of Miracles: Excerpts from Miracles by Craig S. Keener. New Order of the Latter Rain: A New Perspective by John R. Miller. Find all of these articles individually in an easy-to-read format on the archive page: Fall 2013
An excerpt from Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, by Craig S. Keener. From Pneuma Review Fall 2013. From Part 2, “Are Miracles Possible?” Chapter 5, “Hume and Philosophic Questions” Pages 161-167 The Circularity of Hume’s Approach Houston challenges at length Hume’s belief that the general improbability of events in a particular class…
In the on-going dialogue between cessationists and continuationists there is a passage that the former almost always mention. It is, in many instances, their go-to text, their trump card, so to speak. But a close look at Ephesians 2:20 will demonstrate that it fails to accomplish what the cessationist desires. Paul writes: “So then you…
Pentecostalism and Ecumenism: Past, Present, and Future (Part 1 of 5) Pentecostalism and Ecumenism: Past, Present, and Future (Part 2 of 5) Pentecostalism and Ecumenism: Past, Present, and Future (Part 3 of 5) Pentecostalism and Ecumenism: Past, Present, and Future (Part 4 of 5) Pentecostalism and Ecumenism: Past, Present, and Future (Part 5 of 5)…
John MacArthur, Strange Fire: The Danger of Offending the Holy Spirit with Counterfeit Worship (Thomas Nelson, Nov 12, 2013) 9781400205172. While offering some very needed points, John MacArthur’s Strange Fire unfortunately extrapolates from those points to an entire “movement.” As I note below, I also believe that MacArthur suppresses some biblical truth on the basis…
Did tongues and the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit cease in the early church? John MacArthur says they did and that practicing them today is false worship—an abomination before God. Pneuma Review invites you to respond to these criticisms and to renew the biblical command to “desire spiritual gifts” (1 Cor 14:1). We’ve…
The Spirit and the Prophetic Church Building Ministry Coalitions for Urban Ministry Part 2 of 2 Editor’s Note: Read Part 1 in the Spring 2013 issue of The Pneuma Review The Situation of Post-Katrina New Orleans The situation of Cradock in Portsmouth is not an anomaly. This is important to note. The city of New…
Editorial Introduction Please join us for a short series reprinting chapters from The Long Journey Home: Understanding and Ministering to the Sexually Abused. Beginning a conversation about sexual abuse is uncomfortable, but we feel strongly that this topic is something the church needs to address. We believe the testimonies of authentic recovery can help us…
The American journalist and satirist, H. L. Mencken, most famously quipped that Puritanism was “the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, might be happy.” In many quarters of American life the Puritans are still dismissed as prudes and killjoys that have nothing to teach the modern world. Very often, the infamous Salem witch trials are…
So which is the best Bible translation? Well, we may never know in this life, though we will all have our preferences. But we are fortunate in having some very good ones. Make sure you regularly read at least one of them and encourage others to do so. My Journey with the Bible Like most…
Introduction Not long ago, I attended Commencement exercises at the University of California’s Hastings College of Law in San Francisco. I was there to see a student named Kofi receive his law degree and to celebrate with his mother, Afi.1 Afi came to the United States from Togo with her husband more than twenty years…
How Shall We Lead the Church? In this Pneuma Review conversation, church planter Victor Cuartas asks, what do Spirit-empowered leaders look like? There is an urgent need for equipping leaders in global missions. Leadership is about service and influence. We found in Jesus the best example to follow in global missions. This article will…
Has Christianity ever found itself in a world full of competing religions and cultures? What can we learn from how those followers of Jesus acted in their times? Should we hope for the same kinds of outcomes? We are presently concerned with the relationship of our faith to the other religions of the world, especially…
In this chapter from his book, Pentecostal Theology: A Theology of Encounter, British Pentecostal scholar Keith Warrington asks, how do you define what the core beliefs of Pentecostal theology are? Introduction Clark observes that Pentecostal theology ‘is researched at the researcher’s peril’1 while Ma observes that it is ‘simply impossible’ to clearly identify what…
For British Pentecostals, the desire for revival and the unending search for its first signs are activities that have formed their prayers and shaped their activities during most of their twentieth century existence. Looking back and reconstructing historical events into potential future paradigms of revival, they have lived hoping for God to repeat his activities…
This chapter is from Paul L. King’s book Only Believe: Examining the Origins and Development of Classic and Contemporary Word of Faith Theologies. Classic and Modern Word of Faith Views Compared and Contrasted The classic faith leaders affirmed the reality of the supernatural, not just in the Bible and the early New Testament church, but…
Veteran missionary, Dennis Balcombe, talks to PneumaReview.com about the Acts of the Holy Spirit in modern-day China. Pneuma Review: Please tell our readers how you were called to China. Dennis Balcombe: I was brought up in a traditional Methodist church that only preached the “Social Gospel.” At 16 years old, a friend invited me…
An Interview with Craig S. Keener on the Miraculous and his Recent Book, Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts. The Pneuma Review: As a New Testament scholar you have a great interest in the meaning of the biblical text but you also seem to have a great interest in miracles. Could you tell…
William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics, third edition (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008), 416 pages, ISBN 9781433501159. A third edition of what has become something a classic work in the field of Christian apologetics since its original (1984) and second (1994) versions is well worth the reading (or re-reading). The author insists it…
Amos Yong, The Spirit of Creation: Modern Science and Divine Action in the Pentecostal-Charismatic Imagination, Pentecostal Manifestos 4 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2011), 256 pages, ISBN 9780802866127. As one of the most prolific Pentecostal theologians, Amos Yong is no stranger to the science and religion dialogue, although this volume is his first independent monograph dedicated to…
If we want to live our lives according to the Bible, how we approach Scripture means everything. What differences in interpretation can we see between the contemporary Word of Faith movement and the classic Faith movement?
One hundred years ago, the thought that there would be a new grouping within Evangelicalism that would spread throughout the world with a rate of growth that in certain places would outstrip countries’ birth rates would have been deemed to be a flight of fancy. Yet this is exactly what happened. However, for all their…
Karl W. Giberson and Francis S. Collins, The Language of Science and Faith: Straight Answers to Genuine Questions (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2011), 250 pages, ISBN 9780830838295. The “conflict” between science and faith within North American evangelicalism continues to rage, unfortunately. This book will no doubt further fan the flames, even if it is intended…
Estrelda Y. Alexander, Black Fire: One Hundred Years of African American Pentecostalism (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011), 406 pages, ISBN 9780830825858. At a time where books on the first one hundred years of modern-day Pentecostalism are published with frequency, Alexander reminds us of the important heritage of African American Pentecostals. African and African American…
Gregory A. Boyd and Paul R. Eddy, Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in Evangelical Theology, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009), 352 pages, ISBN 9780801037931. Across the Spectrum contains seventeen short chapters which give a good introduction to a variety of debates spanning across the topics of systematic theology including: biblical inerrancy, divine…
Vinson Synan, An Eyewitness Remembers the Century of the Holy Spirit (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2010), 224 pages, ISBN 9780800794859. Vinson Synan, historian, professor, and dean emeritus of the School of Divinity at Regent University, skillfully blends his memoirs with Pentecostal Church history, reflecting on his previous books while integrating his first-hand experience of the events….
James K. A. Smith, Thinking in Tongues: Pentecostal Contributions to Christian Philosophy (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2010), 155 pages, ISBN 978-080286184. James K. A. Smith, associate professor of philosophy at Calvin College and executive director of the Society of Christian Philosophers, engages the subject of hermeneutical philosophy and presses the boundaries outward to make room for…
Craig A. Evans and N. T. Wright, Jesus, the Final Days: What Really Happened (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2009), 128 pages, ISBN 9780664233594. This slim book collects two papers by Craig Evans and one by N. T. Wright, edited by Troy A. Miller. The papers were delivered at Crichton College in Memphis in 2003 (Wright)…
Christian theology should always be concerned to speak about God on the basis of God’s self-communication in Christ Jesus and the Holy Spirit. God comes to us in Christ Jesus through the power and personal presence of the Holy Spirit. God exists in differentiated personhood. Thus relationality is an essential attribute of God’s very being—a…
How Shall We Lead the Church? In this Pneuma Review conversation, preacher and international instructor Aldwin Ragoonath asks, what is hindering church growth in North America? How can we can lead towards growth in the church in the Twenty-first century? Where I am Coming From I was born into a nominal Hindu home that…
“Will I be laid off?” “Can my children avoid drugs, violence and promiscuity?” How will this surgery go? No matter how much we do to ensure positive outcomes, life brims with causes for worry. Anxiety arises whenever we fear possible loss or harm to our person, family, relationships or possessions. If we depend on our…
Introduction “Nondiscipleship is the elephant in the church.” So Dallas Willard1 pictures the obviousness and enormity of the problem. Richard Foster agrees, “Perhaps the greatest malady in the Church today is converts to Christ who are not disciples of Christ—a clear contradiction in terms. This malady affects everything in church life….”2 Brian McLaren asks,…
Graham Ward, The Politics of Discipleship: Becoming Postmaterial Citizens, The Church and Postmodern Culture Series (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009), 317 pages, ISBN 9780801031588. For most readers of The Pneuma Review, this will not be an easy book to read. Graham Ward, professor of contextual theology and ethics at the University of Manchester in the…
Historian Paul King introduces us to the origins of the controversial Word of Faith movement.
John P. Lathrop, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers: Then and Now (Xulon, 2008), 152 pages, 9781606474594 John Lathrop has written an excellent survey of what is commonly called the “five-fold ministry gifts” of Ephesians 4:11, giving special attention to the ministries of the “apostle” and “prophet” since these are the most controversial in the…
How should we lead the church?
New Testament scholar Andrew D. Clarke imagines what it would be like to interview the Apostle Paul about church leadership today.
Double review of Holy Warriors: A Modern History of the Crusades by Jonathan Phillips and The Lost History of Christianity: The Thousand Year Golden Age of the Church in the Middle East, Africa and Asia—and How It Died by Philip Jenkins
In the days of Pasteur and Lister, was the Divine Healing movement out of touch with what American society believed about medicine? Introduction The late nineteenth century was a time of monumental change. It witnessed a cyclone of transformation and progress rivaling, at least, that of any preceding era. Not surprisingly, it was a time…
Every shepherd needs a sheepdog. Knowing this, God sends them.
What are the marks of biblical and Spirit-filled preaching?
Should believers ever be ill? Is it biblical to “claim” one’s healing? Why do so many remain ill after prayer for healing? What are the gifts of healing? Did Jesus provide physical healing for believers when he died on the cross?
Faithful Feelings focuses on reading the New Testament as to its emotional content on the part of the writers and on the part of the recipients.
George Whitefield was an Englishman of the 18th century and one of the greatest evangelists of all times. Today’s “signs and wonders” would seem mild in comparison to the Spirit’s astonishing demonstrations that occurred in his ministry. My request of the Lord is that He will anoint me with the same Holy Spirit’s power that…
Simon Chan, Pentecostal Theology and the Christian Spiritual Tradition (Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Academic, 2000, reprint 2003), paperback, 129 pages. Simon Chan dares to offer an answer to a question many contemporary Pentecostals are only recently even daring to ask. How do we pass on Pentecostalism’s distinctive beliefs and experiences to subsequent generations? For apocalyptic and…
Pastor Isgrigg introduces us to Professor Ervin and how he helped shape the landscape of today’s Pentecostal/charismatic movement. Introduction Howard M. Ervin, a Baptist and Pentecostal scholar, paved the way for other scholars to defend the Pentecostal faith in the academic world. During the last half of the twentieth century, charismatics, evangelicals and Pentecostals…
What can the Reformer teach us about revival? The emphasis by Martin Luther and other Reformers on the ultimate authority of Scripture and the priesthood of all believers opened the way for all the great revivals of the modern era. Luther’s work broke the paralyzing hold of a religious hierarchy that claimed final…
In this day of specialization, it seems we have a difficult time combining thorough Bible study and relevant practical application. Too often, practitioners do not get their principles from studying the Bible, and scholars do not produce relevant principles and practical application. I would like this essay to begin a dialogue that will bring these…
Ajith Fernando, The Call to Joy and Pain: Embracing Suffering in Your Ministry (Wheaton: Crossway, 2007), 192 pages, ISBN 9781581348880. The Call to Joy and Pain by Ajith Fernando is a provocative analysis of the issue of pain and suffering. While he does not treat the cosmic problem of the reason for suffering in…
The shocking parable of the Good Samaritan provides an example of how the church can be an agent of transformation. In this story from Luke 10, a despised minority person demonstrates God’s love and shows today’s Christians the essence of authentic social transformation. The story of the Good Samaritan is one of the…
The power of personal faith in Christ changing people and society around them. A study in Luke 19:1-10 by James D. Hernando. The story of Zacchaeus is one of the most intriguing in Luke’s gospel—a literary masterpiece filled with vivid imagery, drama, and biting irony. It is the story of the conversion…
Rebecca Skaggs with Thomas Doyle lead us into a biblical and thoughtful look at the reality of suffering.
A review essay by pastor, scholar Tony Richie about the new perspective on Paul. Simon Gathercole, “What Did Paul Really Mean?: ‘New perspective’ scholars argue that we need, well, a new perspective on justification by faith” Christianity Today (August 2007), pages 22-28. Simon Gathercole is a NT scholar and former Senior Lecturer in New Testament…
Many stories in Christian history are filled with accounts of charismatic gifts, miracles, signs and wonders. The emergence of the Pentecostal, the neoPentecostal or charismatic, and third wave movements in our century has raised a variety of vital questions that demand answers. Among these is the issue of whether the spiritual gifts enumerated…
Doug Beacham, General Superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, shares a timely challenge about giving an answer for the hope within us. The year 2008 is shaping up as an unusually violent period of natural disasters around the world. In the United States tornados are destroying homes, business, and in some cases, entire…
Does the church need a doctrine of suffering? The Pneuma Review had an opportunity to speak with Ajith Fernando, the national director of Youth For Christ in Sri Lanka, about his recent book The Call to Joy and Pain. This book has received the 2008 Book Award from Christianity Today in the church and…
Note from the Editors: Pastor Ryken has graciously taken time to answer questions that readers of this discussion have raised about how the church should respond to postmodernism. Question from reader: Why does it seem that some of the great themes of the past are fading from emphasis? What happened to Hell, lostness…
John C. Poirier looks at recent trends regarding those Christians who say the supernatural gifts of the Spirit have ceased, and what their arguments are today. As I write this, cessationism is in the news for an apparent slippage in its subscription base: on June 1, 2007, the Research Division of LifeWay (the…
Do you think that the Christian church as a whole is becoming more receptive to prophetic ministry? Yes, I do believe that is happening. I say that for several reasons, four of which I’d like to address here. The first is obvious to me personally—I am speaking in many more denominational settings. Ten…
Don Garlington, In Defense of the New Perspective on Paul: Essays and Reviews (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2005), viii + 245 pages. Garlington earned his MDiv and ThM degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia), and his PhD in New Testament at the University of Durham under James D. G. Dunn. He taught from 1987-2002…
A Review Essay of Lesslie Newbigin’s The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. “Pluralist!” “Postmodern!” Lately these two terms are increasingly, and sometimes carelessly, bandied about as especially descriptive of the present age. They signify such complex concepts that sometimes even defining the terminology can be difficult. To make matters even more intimidating for many…
Bible teacher Eddie L. Hyatt asks: What is the place of personal prophecy in the local church and our lives? It seems that almost everyone has an amusing or thought-provoking anecdote about an encounter with personal prophecy. For example, a prophet once exhorted me that I no longer had to be concerned about my…
Amos Yong, The Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh: Pentecostalism and the Possibility of Global Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005), 320 pages. The oft overused term “instant classic” is, of course, an oxymoron. To become a true classic takes time; by definition, it cannot be an instant occurrence. Still, in a less straightforward…
Is “cultural relevance” an effective and theologically sound wineskin for the emergent church or is it moving Christianity toward oblivion? I remember right where I was sitting. The 5 of us gathered in the coffee shop were the executive team of a para-church ministry that was really interested in re-inventing itself for ministry…
Allan Anderson, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004). By way of introducing his topic, Anderson begins the book by describing his visits to four Pentecostal churches in different parts of the world, the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, Korea; the Christ Apostolic Church, Lagos, Nigeria; a Vineyard…
Understanding the Hebrew Scriptures and Hebrew culture is crucial to understanding how Jesus and the early church viewed sin, the demonic, and the fallen world they lived in.
Pastor Lathrop reminds us that we should pursue the gifts of the Spirit—especially that we might prophesy—in order to build up the church. The subject of spiritual gifts is an on-going controversies in the contemporary church. Sincere, Bible-believing Christians are divided over this very important issue. Some in the church maintain that certain…
Discover the heritage of John Wesley that runs deep in Holiness and Pentecostal movements. Pentecostalism is what some might call the forgotten legacy of John Wesley. In nearly 100 years the movement has become the fastest growing body of Christians on the face of the planet. Pentecostalism is growing at a rate of…
An introduction to theology of religions: Pentecostal/charismatic leaders cannot afford to ignore the fact of religious pluralism. How should we engage people of other religions in such a way as to share the love of Jesus without compromising the message?
The introduction of this review essay appeared in the Spring 2006 issue of Pneuma Review. Phillip Duce and Daniel Strange, eds., Keeping the Balance: Approaching Theological And Religious Studies (Intervarsity Press, 2001), 238 pages, 9780851114828. Approaching theological and religious studies at university-level can present Christians with some special challenges. Cherished beliefs will probably be called…
Introduction Increasing millions of believers worldwide claim that God still works miraculously through His people today.1 They claim that Christians should expect to preach the gospel and minister the gospel’s power with all the gifts of the Spirit, including the miraculous gifts (prophecy, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, gifts of healing, working of…
The Pentecostal movement and Pentecostal theology has been known for a ministry of divine healing. Donald Dayton lists four cornerstones doctrines in Pentecostal theology. Among them is the doctrine of divine healing.1 The practice of divine healing did not enter into the ministry of Pentecostals by some emotional meeting under a canvas tent. Historically,…
In this chapter from the Rightly Understanding God’s Word series, Craig S. Keener investigates the question, what can we really learn from the narratives in the Bible? As appearing in Pneuma Review Spring 2005. Introduction to Context of Genre Although we have surveyed and illustrated many of the most important general rules for interpretation,…
In this article, Professor James Hernando is sure to challenge you with the urgency and mandate of prophetic preaching. But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to…
In this review essay from the Winter 2005 issue, Pastor Graham Old reviews the book The Healing Promise by cessationist Richard Mayhue. Richard Mayhue, The Healing Promise: Is it always God’s will to heal? (Christian Focus Publications, 2001), 228 pages. Richard Mayhue states that his purpose in writing this book is to “develop a…
The final installment from Professor Williams’ book, The Gift of the Holy Spirit Today, about the greatest reality of our time. Epilogue & Bibliography This book has been written with excitement and hope. If it is true that many people today are freshly experiencing the gift of the Holy Spirit, there is much to be…
Pneuma Review: How do you feel the Pentecostal/charismatic church today is doing at understanding and effectively communicating the teachings of the Bible? What can leaders do to improve? French Arrington: Generally speaking Pentecostal/charismatic preaching and teaching is not substantive in biblical content. In making this observation I must ask, however, what sector is being…
Pneuma Review: What is the biblical role of the prophet today? Allow me to begin by stating that I define “prophetic” in a simple and broad way. It has generally to do with direct divine communication by the Holy Spirit to and/or through human beings. “Prophetic” then serves as an umbrella term that has…
Part of the Rightly Understanding God’s Word series by Craig S. Keener. As appearing in Pneuma Review Summer 2003. Chapter 2: Learning Context Although all of us officially recognize the importance of context, most Bible readers still ignore it in practice. You may be an exception, but do not be too disturbed if you…
A conversation with Professor and Pentecostal Statesman Cecil M. Robeck, Jr. PneumaReview.com: As a Pentecostal, how do you define ecumenism? Mel Robeck: The term “ecumenism” is derived from the Greek word oikoumene, which comes from the noun, oikos. The basic meaning of oikos is “house,” and by extension, oikoumene refers to those things,…
The third chapter from Professor Williams’ book, The Gift of the Holy Spirit Today, about the greatest reality of our time. Chapter Three: Response The human response to the giving of the Holy Spirit is essentially the praise of God. When human existence—individually and in community—is bathed with the divine presence, there is only…
Gene L. Green, “‘As For Prophecies, They Will Come to and End’: 2 Peter, Paul and Plutarch on ‘The Obsolescence of Oracles,’” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 82 (2001), pages 107-122. Any Pentecostal/charismatic that has encountered a cessationist—those who believe the “supernatural” gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased—has heard 1 Cor…
Introduction The restoration of the power of the Holy Spirit has come to fruition in the 21st century. The charismatic renewal has touched nearly every segment of the Church around the world. It is exciting to be part of a spiritual movement that has affected literally hundreds of millions of people. Yet this restoration of…
Introduction Cessationists,1 those who argue that certain gifts of the Spirit have ceased, are increasingly using an argument-from-analogy from Paul’s epistle to the believers in Ephesus. This paper offers a biblical rebuttal to the cessationist use of Ephesians 2:20 as an argument for the cessation of prophecy, and, by extension, the other so-called “miraculous” gifts…
“Now when He heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee” (Matthew 4:12). This verse is not, as some might think, God incarnate fleeing danger. Rather, it is possible that this was in fulfillment of John’s words about Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). John understood, as…
Editor note: Readers are encouraged to join this conversation about strategic-level spiritual warfare, spiritual mapping, and living the Spirit-filled life. Please add your comments under the article. Satan in the Bible When dealing with the related doctrines of Satan and demons, it has become almost customary to cite the warning from C.S….
Editors Introduction: This is part 2 of David Burns’ proposal that the Kingdom of God is the central unifying theme of Scripture. First published in two parts in the print version of Pneuma Review in 2001, we invite all readers to continue the conversation now that it has been brought online. Please leave your comments…
Kevin Williams investigates the significance of the ram’s horn trumpet. In this edition of Messianic Foundations, we’re going to take a look at the ram’s horn trumpet called the shofar in Hebrew. It has played an important role throughout Scripture, and will play a crucial role in the days that lie ahead as we…
Editors Introduction: David Burns’ proposal that the Kingdom of God is the central unifying theme of Scripture was published in two parts in the print version of Pneuma Review in 2001. Brought online in October 2014, we invite all readers to begin a conversation on the Last Days (eschatology) and approaches to biblical theology…
The seventh chapter of the Praying in the Spirit Series. Author Robert Graves presents a compelling challenge for all Christians to receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The charismatic experience of tongues that accompanies the baptism in the Spirit has been forgotten by a large portion of the Church, mainly because the Church has…
Introduction The Pentecostal movement is by far the largest and most important religious movement to originate in the United States. Beginning in 1901 with only a handful of students in a Bible School in Topeka, Kansas, the number of Pentecostals increased steadily throughout the world during the Twentieth Century until by 1993 they…
Do we want the Holy Spirit in our homes? I was listening to a message preached by an evangelist that held services at Trinity Assembly of God in Mt. Morris, Michigan. As he was preaching about our desire to have the Holy Spirit in our homes, the Holy Spirit quickened a few thoughts in…
Messianic teacher Kevin Williams takes us back to the time of Second Temple and shows the significance of the ninth hour of the day. Was the Messiah using temple language when he declared, “It is Finished”? We read in Acts 3:1 “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour…
David Pawson, Word and Spirit Together: Uniting Charismatics and Evangelicals (London, Sydney, Auckland: Hodder and Stoughton, 1998), 159 pages. Originally published as The Fourth Wave in 1993, the second edition of this volume features a new title that captures the importance of holding together the mutual emphases of Word and Spirit against the backdrop…
Should we expect the Holy Spirit to work in powerful, miraculous ways in connection with the preaching of the gospel and the life of the Church today? Part 2 of 4.
Part 1 of the sixth chapter of the Praying in the Spirit Series by Robert W. Graves, That Glorious Day When Tongues are Not Needed: Until Then … (Part 1 of 2)
Seeing grace and mercy in the Old Testament story of Cain and Abel. “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). God has changed. Or at least that seems to be what many are teaching in our day. There are denominations that teach that the God of the Old Testament is different…
George could feel his face growing red and hot. He was embarrassed—utterly stymied and tongue-tied. His excited story about his recent filling with the Spirit and his healing was met with a long, Bible-based refutation by his pastor and friend. “George,” he concluded, “the Bible says these experiences of yours cannot be valid. True miracles…
Should we expect the Holy Spirit to work in powerful, miraculous ways in connection with the preaching of the gospel and the life of the Church today? Part 1 of 4.
The fifth chapter of the Praying in the Spirit Series by Robert W. Graves, Better Than I Was, Not Better Than You Are
The Fall Festivals of God: prophetic rehearsals with relevance for today. Part of the Messianic Foundations series. In the epistle of Romans, our teacher Paul speaks to the non-Jewish believers reminding them that they have been grafted-in. “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted…
Many questions have been asked about the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Is it truly God’s promise to every believer for today? If so, Is there any reason why all Christians should not receive it? What are the practical steps we need to take in order to receive this baptism? Can some things hinder us…
From the Messianic Foundations series by Kevin Williams. A look at the life-changing reality of Messiah, the Living Water, who indwells every believer. Imagine a cold, icy winter, the kind that seeps into the marrow and makes the body shiver. Walking along the streets, you exhale, and your breath freezes in the air; you inhale,…
The fourth chapter of the Praying in the Spirit Series by Robert W. Graves, Just What Is the Nature of the Prayer Language?
Evidence for the operation of the gifts of the Spirit throughout the Church Age. This is Part 5 of 5 from the series, The Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
Learn a First-Century Jewish perspective of Passover from Messianic teacher Kevin Williams.
Pastor Michael Peters looks at the Baptism with the Spirit in light of the whole salvation experience.
Evidence for the operation of the gifts of the Spirit throughout the Church Age. This is Part 4 of 5 from the series, From the Thirteenth to the Eighteenth Centuries
The central message of the preaching of Jesus was the coming of the kingdom of God. Through the Spirit, what is the King doing?
What can Leviticus teach us about Messiah?
The second chapter of the Praying in the Spirit Series by Robert W. Graves, Some Marvelous Effects of Praying in the Spirit
Evidence for the operation of the gifts of the Spirit throughout the Church Age. This is Part 3 of 5 from the series, From the Fifth to the Thirteenth Centuries.
The first chapter of the Praying in the Spirit Series by Robert W. Graves, What They’re Saying Now: Some Non-Charismatics Reevaluate Tongues
Evidence for the operation of the gifts of the Spirit throughout the Church Age. This is Part 2 of from 5 from the series, Third to the Fifth Centuries.
How can our Pentecostal/charismatic distinctives help us as we study and apply the Scriptures?
Pastor, scholar, businessman Larry Taylor shows that there is no need to fear theology and answers that there is a great need for a Biblical theology today.
Pastor Michael D. Peters looks at the Baptism with the Spirit in light of the whole salvation experience.
