A concern for healing and wholeness is common for many today. This booklet introduces the thinkin... more A concern for healing and wholeness is common for many today. This booklet introduces the thinking and practice of Leanne Payne, a leader in the charismatic healing ministry of last century. Her stress on coming into the Presence of God as we are, engaging our imagination and embracing different ways of listening to God offer wise guidance in the area of healing. We tease out some of the ways her work engages the mystical tradition and how this tradition might be enriched in dialogue with a charismatic approach to healing. Healing is rarely straight forward but we can nourish hope in the active presence of Christ in our midst.
SLG Booklet exploring the spirituality of Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward, leader in CMS mission fro... more SLG Booklet exploring the spirituality of Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward, leader in CMS mission from the UK, involved in the charismatic movement, Bishop of Coventry, and teacher of the Jesus Prayer. Uses the themes of life, death, resurrection and Spirit outpouring as a way into understanding and practice.
Pentecostal Theology and Ecumenical Theology, 2018
The relationship between the “institutional” and the “charismatic” in ecclesiology has been open ... more The relationship between the “institutional” and the “charismatic” in ecclesiology has been open to question throughout the church’s history. It would be much easier to understand if the church were simply one or the other and yet it is the combination that has helped enable life through the centuries. The church as an institution has sustained a life beyond particularly gifted leaders and set projects, protecting the long-term and Scripture-rooted wisdom of a church that serves across generations and culture. The charismatic prevents the church from settling into routines disconnected from the life of the triune God or the contexts in which it is set. It would be simpler for the church to be just a manageable institution or a high energy campaign group, and yet cclesial complexity witnesses to its varied life across changing times. Hence the relationship between the institutional and the charismatic is best discussed within the wider concern for the liveliness of the church in particular contexts and across time. It is often the charismatic that starts up such discussions and this has again been the case with pentecostalism. This chapter aims to revisit the relationship given the significant experience of pentecostalism over the last century.
For many years it seemed that Pentecostals had no distinctive contribution to make to conversatio... more For many years it seemed that Pentecostals had no distinctive contribution to make to conversations on ecclesiology. It was thought that they focused on personal encounter with God and sharing in mission without worrying about the nature of the community that sustained these efforts, other than to assert that Pentecostals were different to churches that quenched the Holy Spirit. Increasingly, it has been realised that this is a simplistic reading of the Pentecostal tradition, and that the nature of the church has been a concern from the start of the movement. This concern and ecclesiological thinking have developed more rapidly in recent years, and Pentecostal ecclesiology has become an exciting area of contemporary research. Different themes have been the focus of study, although it remains to draw these together into a comprehensive Pentecostal ecclesiology. This chapter has the aim of introducing the current perspectives and suggesting broad ways forward. Rather than start with a particular ecclesial framework, I have chosen to recognise that the themes of the Holy Spirit, the gospel, and mission most often recur in Pentecostal discussions. I argue that these themes helpfully enable us to approach a Pentecostal understanding of the church as comprising Spirit-shaped fellowships of gospel mission. This essay therefore presents a general approach that builds on the particular contextual studies of others and provides a standpoint from which we can engage with alternative proposals to gain greater clarity over significant issues and find suggestive of ways towards a comprehensive Pentecostal ecclesiology.
A Pauline theologian is probably not the first description of Merton that springs to mind. Yet we... more A Pauline theologian is probably not the first description of Merton that springs to mind. Yet we may have noticed that Merton turns to the writings of Saint Paul in a number of his works on spirituality.1 He brings the teachings of Paul alongside his expositions of what it is to be a Christian and live a Christian life. These works were written after Merton had undertaken a study of Paul in 1954 in order to teach novices at Gethsemani, a course entitled Sanctity in the Epistles of Saint Paul. We have Merton’s notes for this course, and a lightly edited version was published in Liturgy in the mid 1990s, although a critical edition of the work still needs to be produced.2 I want to suggest that this understanding is foundational to his later works, which can be only understood in the light of this study.
The Oxford History of Protestant Dissenting Traditions (Volume V), 2018
The nature of Dissent inevitably changed when, in the long twentieth century, its ‘lived’ reality... more The nature of Dissent inevitably changed when, in the long twentieth century, its ‘lived’ reality shifted away from a focus on relationships between individual European states and a few dominant Churches. The transnational, interconnected world into which European Protestant Dissent moved was typified by huge diversity in the number of different Churches and of different states, many developing within postcolonial contexts. It was as if the limited and known options of the early nineteenth century had exploded across a global canvas to form a multiplicity of ways of being Church and state. One way in which these mobile Christians ‘managed’ this scattering was through an upsurge in emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit: the ‘wind of God’ that blows where it wills (John 3:8) and the ‘fire of God’ that falls in many tongues for the nations (Acts 2). This chapter considers some of the Spirit movements that went out into the world bringing dissent/(D)issent to the assumptions of dominant cultural and ecclesial forms.¹ These represent movements of spirituality within and outside existing Churches that contrast with and adapt existing patterns of faith. Within a century these have begun to transform the nature of the Christian Church across the world and may (despite sometimes trenchant criticism from those they left behind) represent much of the energy of Christianity for its global future.
Chapter in "Scripting Pentecost" by Mark Cartledge and AJ Swoboda, 2017
Pentecostal worship takes many forms as evidenced in the chapters so far, yet there are a number ... more Pentecostal worship takes many forms as evidenced in the chapters so far, yet there are a number of practices in common. This chapter has a focus on the practice of singing in worship from a theological perspective, proposing a pentecostal theology of sung worship. Indeed for many pentecostals worship simply is sung worship and so this is a good place to begin in considering a theology of worship. Further chapters will consider other aspects of pentecostal worship that need also to be recognised. At the outset it needs to be acknowledged that for many pentecostals sung worship is a matter of practice rather than theology. There is often an encouragement simply to choose forms of sung worship that fit with particular cultural situations without any thought as to how this relates to theology. In this human choice and past understandings of God tend to dictate worship content. Yet pentecostal sung worship is also vitally seen in terms of the Holy Spirit guiding in the present. In other words, there is a theological driver to worship – it is dependent upon the nature of God’s creative action. An exploration of this theological nature is worthy of exploration as a counter to simply pragmatic considerations and this is the task of the present chapter.
Pentecostal and charismatic renewal movements have seen great growth over the last century and ha... more Pentecostal and charismatic renewal movements have seen great growth over the last century and have engaged with many Christian traditions. Yet there are signs that all is not well, and there is a need to develop theologies of renewal that engage with practice and across the traditions if the movements are to continue to grow. In particular, this book seeks an ecumenical engagement between David Watson and Thomas Merton, leaders in the charismatic and monastic renewal movements. The aim is to reflect on the theological roots of these renewal movements through a study of particular people who lived them in practice and sought to help others understand how the triune God was at work. This is done against the wider background of contemporary renewalist theology to develop constructive proposals for renewal theology in the future. Receptive ecumenism provides the method for bringing the different voices into conversation in ways that also point forward in approaches to ecumenical dialogue. It is thus a study relevant to those seeking new ways in theology, those involved in renewal and ecumenical movements, students of Thomas Merton, and all who seek to better understand the Christian renewal movements that have swept the world.
Spirit-shaped Mission brings together Pentecostal and charismatic theologies of mission. Part one... more Spirit-shaped Mission brings together Pentecostal and charismatic theologies of mission. Part one assesses past theologies, drawing both on scholarly research and the thinking of key charismatic church leaders in Britain. Part two addresses different issues that need considering in a holistic theology of mission, including the holistic content, experiential nature, contextual grounding, community focus and spirituality for mission. Spirit-Shaped Mission develops a framework for understanding the 'mission of the Spirit' that contributes to Pentecostal, evangelical and ecumenical thinking on the subject.
Originally published in 2005, copies are still being requested by individuals and training colleges.
Pentecostal churches have grown over the last century but only a limited amount has been written ... more Pentecostal churches have grown over the last century but only a limited amount has been written about their ecclesiology. Much of the existing work focuses on congregational models and contemporary practice. This book argues the need for a pentecostal systematic approach to ecclesiology. Utilising the method of Amos Yong a pentecostal ecclesiology based on a network church structure is developed. Systematic issues of catholicity are addressed through mission insights on partnership, and a hospitable approach to contextualisation is developed. This book, therefore, suggests new ways forward in pentecostal studies and ecclesiology.
International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church, 2011
Pentecostal ecclesiology is shaped by its missionary drive and hence is global in scope. However,... more Pentecostal ecclesiology is shaped by its missionary drive and hence is global in scope. However, most studies have concentrated on a Pentecostal understanding of local churches and assumed a congregational model of the church. In this article I suggest a Pentecostal ecclesiology based on trinitarian mission fellowships. This develops some of the existing studies, drawing together themes of community, context, mission, Scripture, Christology, Spirit baptism and holiness within a trinitarian framework. In addition, the article proposes ...
This article seeks to articulate the ecclesiology of David Ford as one shaped by wisdom. Although... more This article seeks to articulate the ecclesiology of David Ford as one shaped by wisdom. Although central to Ford’s concerns, the nature of his ecclesiology has not yet been explored. The task is approached first by outlining Ford’s approach to theology found in his book Christian Wisdom and then detailing how his ecclesiology fits within his thinking in regard to wider concerns. I argue that key to understanding Ford’s ecclesiology is to see it within a movement from extensity to intensity and back to extensity. I argue that Ford’s ecclesiology represents a way of renegotiating the place of the church in the wider world. It is a significant contribution for the Anglican Church in Western settings which have seen widespread cultural changes. At the same time, Ford’s ecclesiology is limited by its particular intensive contextual engagements which neglect wider contextual and ecclesiological concerns.
Studies of mission have started using the category of “renewalist” particularly in regard to the ... more Studies of mission have started using the category of “renewalist” particularly in regard to the statistics of Christian growth across the world. This embraces those with links to classical Pentecostal, charismatic and evangelical approaches to faith. It is a helpful way of seeing the growth of pentecostal-like movements over the last century. However, little has been done to clarify renewalist identity and what might constitute a renewalist approach to mission. This article seeks to review the development of this identity against the wider background of missiology to then clarify key aspects of renewalist identity. It then suggests elements of a renewalist approach to mission with reference to both practice and theology. These highlight the work of the Holy Spirit, the importance of the gospel and community, the desire for wider integration and the emphasis on transformation. In providing more depth to existing terminology this article seeks to contribute to wider mission studies. ...
This chapter points to the ‘pluralization of the lifeworld’ involved in globalization as a key co... more This chapter points to the ‘pluralization of the lifeworld’ involved in globalization as a key context for changing dissenting spiritualities through the twentieth century. These have included a remarkable upsurge in Spirit-movements that fall under categories such as Pentecostal, charismatic, neo-charismatic, ‘renewalist’, and indigenous Churches. Spirit language is not only adaptive to globalized settings, but brings with it eschatological assumptions. New spiritualities emerge to disrupt existing assumptions with prophetic and often critical voices that condemn aspects of the existing culture, state, and church life. This chapter outlines this process of disruption of the mainstream in case studies drawn from the USA, the UK, India, Africa, and Indonesia, where charismaticized Christianity has emerged and grown strongly in often quite resistant broader cultures.
Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies, 2014
Many nations in the world are facing times of austerity with resulting economic pressures. The ch... more Many nations in the world are facing times of austerity with resulting economic pressures. The church is not exempt from this and often responds with practical plans to reshape their ministry and mission in the light of reduced resources. Yet there is a need to engage more positively in developing a contextual ecclesiology that enables mission in challenging times. This article seeks to explore this challenge through the example of the Church of England which is seen in terms of eleven elements of its ecclesiology. Ways in which the context of austerity affects thinking about these elements are explored, both in their positive and negative impacts. Austerity is explored through the themes of fear, security, retreat and connectedness. These themes are used as the basis of the suggestion for a positive shape to an ecclesiology that provides an attractive mission model in such contexts. Resources from a charismatic research project, Flame of Love, are used in support of this model. The...
Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies, 2017
The emergence of postdenominational identities has been recognised as a significant development i... more The emergence of postdenominational identities has been recognised as a significant development in approaches to mission. These contribute to a deeper form of ecumenism in the way they integrate different traditions in themselves rather than starting from a confessional or correlational outlook. They also seek to develop over time through ongoing dialogue with different traditions. This article examines one such postdenominational identity, the emerging ‘renewalist’ identity that is particularly shaped by the charismatic tradition. A renewalist approach is contrasted with the ecumenical approaches of Lausanne and the World Council of Churches as represented in their latest agreed statements on mission. We also consider the next stage of renewalist development by asking how it might learn from these mission statements. This article strengthens the claim to significance of postdenominational identities and clarifies the nature of renewalist missiology.
A concern for healing and wholeness is common for many today. This booklet introduces the thinkin... more A concern for healing and wholeness is common for many today. This booklet introduces the thinking and practice of Leanne Payne, a leader in the charismatic healing ministry of last century. Her stress on coming into the Presence of God as we are, engaging our imagination and embracing different ways of listening to God offer wise guidance in the area of healing. We tease out some of the ways her work engages the mystical tradition and how this tradition might be enriched in dialogue with a charismatic approach to healing. Healing is rarely straight forward but we can nourish hope in the active presence of Christ in our midst.
SLG Booklet exploring the spirituality of Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward, leader in CMS mission fro... more SLG Booklet exploring the spirituality of Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward, leader in CMS mission from the UK, involved in the charismatic movement, Bishop of Coventry, and teacher of the Jesus Prayer. Uses the themes of life, death, resurrection and Spirit outpouring as a way into understanding and practice.
Pentecostal Theology and Ecumenical Theology, 2018
The relationship between the “institutional” and the “charismatic” in ecclesiology has been open ... more The relationship between the “institutional” and the “charismatic” in ecclesiology has been open to question throughout the church’s history. It would be much easier to understand if the church were simply one or the other and yet it is the combination that has helped enable life through the centuries. The church as an institution has sustained a life beyond particularly gifted leaders and set projects, protecting the long-term and Scripture-rooted wisdom of a church that serves across generations and culture. The charismatic prevents the church from settling into routines disconnected from the life of the triune God or the contexts in which it is set. It would be simpler for the church to be just a manageable institution or a high energy campaign group, and yet cclesial complexity witnesses to its varied life across changing times. Hence the relationship between the institutional and the charismatic is best discussed within the wider concern for the liveliness of the church in particular contexts and across time. It is often the charismatic that starts up such discussions and this has again been the case with pentecostalism. This chapter aims to revisit the relationship given the significant experience of pentecostalism over the last century.
For many years it seemed that Pentecostals had no distinctive contribution to make to conversatio... more For many years it seemed that Pentecostals had no distinctive contribution to make to conversations on ecclesiology. It was thought that they focused on personal encounter with God and sharing in mission without worrying about the nature of the community that sustained these efforts, other than to assert that Pentecostals were different to churches that quenched the Holy Spirit. Increasingly, it has been realised that this is a simplistic reading of the Pentecostal tradition, and that the nature of the church has been a concern from the start of the movement. This concern and ecclesiological thinking have developed more rapidly in recent years, and Pentecostal ecclesiology has become an exciting area of contemporary research. Different themes have been the focus of study, although it remains to draw these together into a comprehensive Pentecostal ecclesiology. This chapter has the aim of introducing the current perspectives and suggesting broad ways forward. Rather than start with a particular ecclesial framework, I have chosen to recognise that the themes of the Holy Spirit, the gospel, and mission most often recur in Pentecostal discussions. I argue that these themes helpfully enable us to approach a Pentecostal understanding of the church as comprising Spirit-shaped fellowships of gospel mission. This essay therefore presents a general approach that builds on the particular contextual studies of others and provides a standpoint from which we can engage with alternative proposals to gain greater clarity over significant issues and find suggestive of ways towards a comprehensive Pentecostal ecclesiology.
A Pauline theologian is probably not the first description of Merton that springs to mind. Yet we... more A Pauline theologian is probably not the first description of Merton that springs to mind. Yet we may have noticed that Merton turns to the writings of Saint Paul in a number of his works on spirituality.1 He brings the teachings of Paul alongside his expositions of what it is to be a Christian and live a Christian life. These works were written after Merton had undertaken a study of Paul in 1954 in order to teach novices at Gethsemani, a course entitled Sanctity in the Epistles of Saint Paul. We have Merton’s notes for this course, and a lightly edited version was published in Liturgy in the mid 1990s, although a critical edition of the work still needs to be produced.2 I want to suggest that this understanding is foundational to his later works, which can be only understood in the light of this study.
The Oxford History of Protestant Dissenting Traditions (Volume V), 2018
The nature of Dissent inevitably changed when, in the long twentieth century, its ‘lived’ reality... more The nature of Dissent inevitably changed when, in the long twentieth century, its ‘lived’ reality shifted away from a focus on relationships between individual European states and a few dominant Churches. The transnational, interconnected world into which European Protestant Dissent moved was typified by huge diversity in the number of different Churches and of different states, many developing within postcolonial contexts. It was as if the limited and known options of the early nineteenth century had exploded across a global canvas to form a multiplicity of ways of being Church and state. One way in which these mobile Christians ‘managed’ this scattering was through an upsurge in emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit: the ‘wind of God’ that blows where it wills (John 3:8) and the ‘fire of God’ that falls in many tongues for the nations (Acts 2). This chapter considers some of the Spirit movements that went out into the world bringing dissent/(D)issent to the assumptions of dominant cultural and ecclesial forms.¹ These represent movements of spirituality within and outside existing Churches that contrast with and adapt existing patterns of faith. Within a century these have begun to transform the nature of the Christian Church across the world and may (despite sometimes trenchant criticism from those they left behind) represent much of the energy of Christianity for its global future.
Chapter in "Scripting Pentecost" by Mark Cartledge and AJ Swoboda, 2017
Pentecostal worship takes many forms as evidenced in the chapters so far, yet there are a number ... more Pentecostal worship takes many forms as evidenced in the chapters so far, yet there are a number of practices in common. This chapter has a focus on the practice of singing in worship from a theological perspective, proposing a pentecostal theology of sung worship. Indeed for many pentecostals worship simply is sung worship and so this is a good place to begin in considering a theology of worship. Further chapters will consider other aspects of pentecostal worship that need also to be recognised. At the outset it needs to be acknowledged that for many pentecostals sung worship is a matter of practice rather than theology. There is often an encouragement simply to choose forms of sung worship that fit with particular cultural situations without any thought as to how this relates to theology. In this human choice and past understandings of God tend to dictate worship content. Yet pentecostal sung worship is also vitally seen in terms of the Holy Spirit guiding in the present. In other words, there is a theological driver to worship – it is dependent upon the nature of God’s creative action. An exploration of this theological nature is worthy of exploration as a counter to simply pragmatic considerations and this is the task of the present chapter.
Pentecostal and charismatic renewal movements have seen great growth over the last century and ha... more Pentecostal and charismatic renewal movements have seen great growth over the last century and have engaged with many Christian traditions. Yet there are signs that all is not well, and there is a need to develop theologies of renewal that engage with practice and across the traditions if the movements are to continue to grow. In particular, this book seeks an ecumenical engagement between David Watson and Thomas Merton, leaders in the charismatic and monastic renewal movements. The aim is to reflect on the theological roots of these renewal movements through a study of particular people who lived them in practice and sought to help others understand how the triune God was at work. This is done against the wider background of contemporary renewalist theology to develop constructive proposals for renewal theology in the future. Receptive ecumenism provides the method for bringing the different voices into conversation in ways that also point forward in approaches to ecumenical dialogue. It is thus a study relevant to those seeking new ways in theology, those involved in renewal and ecumenical movements, students of Thomas Merton, and all who seek to better understand the Christian renewal movements that have swept the world.
Spirit-shaped Mission brings together Pentecostal and charismatic theologies of mission. Part one... more Spirit-shaped Mission brings together Pentecostal and charismatic theologies of mission. Part one assesses past theologies, drawing both on scholarly research and the thinking of key charismatic church leaders in Britain. Part two addresses different issues that need considering in a holistic theology of mission, including the holistic content, experiential nature, contextual grounding, community focus and spirituality for mission. Spirit-Shaped Mission develops a framework for understanding the 'mission of the Spirit' that contributes to Pentecostal, evangelical and ecumenical thinking on the subject.
Originally published in 2005, copies are still being requested by individuals and training colleges.
Pentecostal churches have grown over the last century but only a limited amount has been written ... more Pentecostal churches have grown over the last century but only a limited amount has been written about their ecclesiology. Much of the existing work focuses on congregational models and contemporary practice. This book argues the need for a pentecostal systematic approach to ecclesiology. Utilising the method of Amos Yong a pentecostal ecclesiology based on a network church structure is developed. Systematic issues of catholicity are addressed through mission insights on partnership, and a hospitable approach to contextualisation is developed. This book, therefore, suggests new ways forward in pentecostal studies and ecclesiology.
International Journal for the Study of the Christian Church, 2011
Pentecostal ecclesiology is shaped by its missionary drive and hence is global in scope. However,... more Pentecostal ecclesiology is shaped by its missionary drive and hence is global in scope. However, most studies have concentrated on a Pentecostal understanding of local churches and assumed a congregational model of the church. In this article I suggest a Pentecostal ecclesiology based on trinitarian mission fellowships. This develops some of the existing studies, drawing together themes of community, context, mission, Scripture, Christology, Spirit baptism and holiness within a trinitarian framework. In addition, the article proposes ...
This article seeks to articulate the ecclesiology of David Ford as one shaped by wisdom. Although... more This article seeks to articulate the ecclesiology of David Ford as one shaped by wisdom. Although central to Ford’s concerns, the nature of his ecclesiology has not yet been explored. The task is approached first by outlining Ford’s approach to theology found in his book Christian Wisdom and then detailing how his ecclesiology fits within his thinking in regard to wider concerns. I argue that key to understanding Ford’s ecclesiology is to see it within a movement from extensity to intensity and back to extensity. I argue that Ford’s ecclesiology represents a way of renegotiating the place of the church in the wider world. It is a significant contribution for the Anglican Church in Western settings which have seen widespread cultural changes. At the same time, Ford’s ecclesiology is limited by its particular intensive contextual engagements which neglect wider contextual and ecclesiological concerns.
Studies of mission have started using the category of “renewalist” particularly in regard to the ... more Studies of mission have started using the category of “renewalist” particularly in regard to the statistics of Christian growth across the world. This embraces those with links to classical Pentecostal, charismatic and evangelical approaches to faith. It is a helpful way of seeing the growth of pentecostal-like movements over the last century. However, little has been done to clarify renewalist identity and what might constitute a renewalist approach to mission. This article seeks to review the development of this identity against the wider background of missiology to then clarify key aspects of renewalist identity. It then suggests elements of a renewalist approach to mission with reference to both practice and theology. These highlight the work of the Holy Spirit, the importance of the gospel and community, the desire for wider integration and the emphasis on transformation. In providing more depth to existing terminology this article seeks to contribute to wider mission studies. ...
This chapter points to the ‘pluralization of the lifeworld’ involved in globalization as a key co... more This chapter points to the ‘pluralization of the lifeworld’ involved in globalization as a key context for changing dissenting spiritualities through the twentieth century. These have included a remarkable upsurge in Spirit-movements that fall under categories such as Pentecostal, charismatic, neo-charismatic, ‘renewalist’, and indigenous Churches. Spirit language is not only adaptive to globalized settings, but brings with it eschatological assumptions. New spiritualities emerge to disrupt existing assumptions with prophetic and often critical voices that condemn aspects of the existing culture, state, and church life. This chapter outlines this process of disruption of the mainstream in case studies drawn from the USA, the UK, India, Africa, and Indonesia, where charismaticized Christianity has emerged and grown strongly in often quite resistant broader cultures.
Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies, 2014
Many nations in the world are facing times of austerity with resulting economic pressures. The ch... more Many nations in the world are facing times of austerity with resulting economic pressures. The church is not exempt from this and often responds with practical plans to reshape their ministry and mission in the light of reduced resources. Yet there is a need to engage more positively in developing a contextual ecclesiology that enables mission in challenging times. This article seeks to explore this challenge through the example of the Church of England which is seen in terms of eleven elements of its ecclesiology. Ways in which the context of austerity affects thinking about these elements are explored, both in their positive and negative impacts. Austerity is explored through the themes of fear, security, retreat and connectedness. These themes are used as the basis of the suggestion for a positive shape to an ecclesiology that provides an attractive mission model in such contexts. Resources from a charismatic research project, Flame of Love, are used in support of this model. The...
Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies, 2017
The emergence of postdenominational identities has been recognised as a significant development i... more The emergence of postdenominational identities has been recognised as a significant development in approaches to mission. These contribute to a deeper form of ecumenism in the way they integrate different traditions in themselves rather than starting from a confessional or correlational outlook. They also seek to develop over time through ongoing dialogue with different traditions. This article examines one such postdenominational identity, the emerging ‘renewalist’ identity that is particularly shaped by the charismatic tradition. A renewalist approach is contrasted with the ecumenical approaches of Lausanne and the World Council of Churches as represented in their latest agreed statements on mission. We also consider the next stage of renewalist development by asking how it might learn from these mission statements. This article strengthens the claim to significance of postdenominational identities and clarifies the nature of renewalist missiology.
Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies, 2017
The emergence of postdenominational identities has been recognised as a significant development i... more The emergence of postdenominational identities has been recognised as a significant development in approaches to mission. These contribute to a deeper form of ecumenism in the way they integrate different traditions in themselves rather than starting from a confessional or correlational outlook. They also seek to develop over time through ongoing dialogue with different traditions. This article examines one such postdenominational identity, the emerging ‘renewalist’ identity that is particularly shaped by the charismatic tradition. A renewalist approach is contrasted with the ecumenical approaches of Lausanne and the World Council of Churches as represented in their latest agreed statements on mission. We also consider the next stage of renewalist development by asking how it might learn from these mission statements. This article strengthens the claim to significance of postdenominational identities and clarifies the nature of renewalist missiology.
Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological Association, 2016
A review of NT Wrights "Paul and the Faithfulness of God" for the Journal of th... more A review of NT Wrights "Paul and the Faithfulness of God" for the Journal of the European Pentecostal Association
Transformation: An International Journal of Holistic Mission Studies, 2013
Pentecostals have a gospel to proclaim and yet in the rush to share don’t often stop to reflect o... more Pentecostals have a gospel to proclaim and yet in the rush to share don’t often stop to reflect on the nature of the gospel. This article reflects on the ‘Full gospel’ that is proclaimed by many within classical Pentecostalism, against historical and contemporary considerations. It suggests that there are limits to who the Full gospel is good news for, particularly given the diversity within pentecostalism.
ABSTRACTAnglicanism has seen a revived interest in monasticism alongside a desire to develop cont... more ABSTRACTAnglicanism has seen a revived interest in monasticism alongside a desire to develop contemporary forms of theological education. These two concerns have much in common given the educational aspects of monasticism, and yet little has been done to bring them together. This article explores the theological method of William of St Thierry and considers the contribution it makes to an ‘Anglican way’ of theological education for today. In particular, his aim to develop theology that engages the reader with God in such a way as to promote virtue brings together the intellectual, worship and pastoral aspects of theological education. His contribution can help deepen an Anglican way and challenge new monastic communities to engage with theology. It also contributes to the development of ‘wisdom theology’ that concerns a number of contemporary theologians.
This is a now rather dated introductory bibliography, but highlights some of the authors that can... more This is a now rather dated introductory bibliography, but highlights some of the authors that can be followed up for more recent work by them.
The Routledge Handbook of Pentecostal Theology contains many more recent summaries and bibliographies and is a good place to start.
List of useful references for those studying Pentecostal ecclesiology.
Updated June 2018.
Chapt... more List of useful references for those studying Pentecostal ecclesiology.
Updated June 2018.
Chapter on "Ecclesiology" will follow in Routledge Handbook of Pentecostal Theology (2019?)
A review of NT Wrights "Paul and the Faithfulness of God" for the Journal of the European Penteco... more A review of NT Wrights "Paul and the Faithfulness of God" for the Journal of the European Pentecostal Association
Recently Tom Wright produced his long awaited book on the apostle Paul, and it turned out to be t... more Recently Tom Wright produced his long awaited book on the apostle Paul, and it turned out to be two books of over 1600 pages in total published alongside two other books on Paul that give a background to different ways of reading Paul and to Wright’s previous study of Paul.1 Hence reviewing such a work is difficult in the extreme! It is also hindered by the fact that despite such a great number of pages Wright is still not able to engage with every debate and scholar writing about Paul. Also, from a Pentecostal-charismatic perspective, there is little to be found that engages with such perspectives apart from the very positive interaction with the work of Gordon Fee.2 What is being attempted here is a summary of the main books from the perspective of pneumatology that gives a positive presentation of Wright’s argument. This is impressive and it should be impossible to develop future studies of Paul without engaging with Wright’s scholarship. Yet there are some issues in which Pentecostals and charismatics might want to take a different way forward and this review article points to some of these.
David Ford's theological commentary on the Gospel of John has been eagerly awaited. It develops i... more David Ford's theological commentary on the Gospel of John has been eagerly awaited. It develops in depth the themes found in his more popular The Drama of Living as well as several of his academic articles and presentations. It represents his attempt to draw together his ever-expanding horizons on the Gospel into a bounded document that those of us less well read can appreciate. It is the culmination of over 20 years of study and also the backdrop to all the publications over this time (as the epilogue indicates). As a regular reader (and re-reader) of Ford's I want here to suggest that what comes across is a "way" into the Gospel, a methodology, that above all seeks to deepen our appreciation of "life" with God as we engage with the "who" of Jesus (cf. John 14:6). More than this, Ford seeks to stimulate our desire for the "abundant more" that the Gospel witnesses to, particularly in conversation with other linked texts. As such this commentary is richly satisfying and has been an agent of renewal for me as I and the churches I serve seek to live well with the next phase of Covid-19. 1 As I have read and prayed the Gospel of John through the pandemic it has nurtured my desire for God, to be with others and to keep looking outwards beyond my own situation. Ford's commentary has resonated with and deepened these desires, provoking further improvisation in the directions of the personal (mystical), communal (ecclesial) and world embracing (environmental). Here I offer a personal review that seeks to both affirm the "way" presented but also suggesting how we might take things further.
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Books by Andy Lord
https://www.slgpress.co.uk/product/river-of-the-spirit/
also Kindle version
cclesial
complexity witnesses to its varied life across changing times. Hence the
relationship between the institutional and the charismatic is best discussed within the wider concern for the liveliness of the church in particular contexts and across time. It is often the charismatic that starts up such discussions and this has again been the case with pentecostalism. This chapter aims to revisit the relationship given the significant experience of pentecostalism over the last century.
of Christianity for its global future.
Originally published in 2005, copies are still being requested by individuals and training colleges.
Papers by Andy Lord
https://www.slgpress.co.uk/product/river-of-the-spirit/
also Kindle version
cclesial
complexity witnesses to its varied life across changing times. Hence the
relationship between the institutional and the charismatic is best discussed within the wider concern for the liveliness of the church in particular contexts and across time. It is often the charismatic that starts up such discussions and this has again been the case with pentecostalism. This chapter aims to revisit the relationship given the significant experience of pentecostalism over the last century.
of Christianity for its global future.
Originally published in 2005, copies are still being requested by individuals and training colleges.
The Routledge Handbook of Pentecostal Theology contains many more recent summaries and bibliographies and is a good place to start.
Updated June 2018.
Chapter on "Ecclesiology" will follow in Routledge Handbook of Pentecostal Theology (2019?)
to Wright’s previous study of Paul.1 Hence reviewing such a work is difficult in the extreme! It is also hindered by the fact that despite such a great number of pages Wright is still not able to engage with every debate and scholar writing
about Paul. Also, from a Pentecostal-charismatic perspective, there is little to be found that engages with such perspectives apart from the very positive interaction with the work of Gordon Fee.2 What is being attempted here is a summary of the main books from the perspective of pneumatology that gives a positive presentation of Wright’s argument. This is impressive and it should be impossible to develop future studies of Paul without engaging with Wright’s scholarship. Yet there are some issues in which Pentecostals and charismatics might want to take a different way forward and this review article points to some of these.