Papers by Frank R . Liesen
Evangelium 21 Website , 2023
https://bit.ly/3Ln6Ig7 Der Missionsbefehl und das Gebot, alle Völker zu Jüngern zu machen, ist di... more https://bit.ly/3Ln6Ig7 Der Missionsbefehl und das Gebot, alle Völker zu Jüngern zu machen, ist die Berufung der Gemeinde bis zur Wiederkehr von Jesus (vgl. Mt 28,18-20). Daher sollten Bekehrungen, die das ganze Leben verändern und in die Nachfolge Jesu führen, immer das Ziel von evangelikaler Missionsarbeit sein-ob im In-oder Ausland. In diesem Zusammenhang erbrachte eine Multi-Fallstudie über drei deutsche Gemeindegründungen mit hohem Wachstum durch Bekehrungen aufschlussreiche Ergebnisse. Dabei kamen fünf Muster zum Vorschein. Sie ermutigen dazu, Brücken in unseren säkularen Kontext zu schlagen und Menschen in die Jüngerschaft Jesu zu rufen. Bestehende Gemeinden und Gründungsarbeiten können anhand dieser fünf Muster ihre eigene Gemeindearbeit analysieren und Strukturen schaffen, die Jüngerschaft in ihrem jeweiligen Umfeld fördern.
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Journal of the Evangelical Missiological Society, 2023
Evangelical churches around the globe face the challenge of overcoming cultural barriers to engag... more Evangelical churches around the globe face the challenge of overcoming cultural barriers to engage people with the gospel message and guide them toward biblically faithful discipleship. Each church develops a sub-culture of traditions, behaviors, and beliefs that poses challenges to connecting with outsiders who share the same cultural background but have little prior knowledge of Christianity. This cultural disconnect between the sender and recipient of the good news creates an obstacle in fulfilling Christ's call to "make disciples" among all nations and facilitate conversions (Matt 28:18-20). A careful self-assessment by local congregations regarding their approach to disciple-making will aid in closing the gap between people within and outside the church. In this respect, the Church Discipleship Matrix (CDM) offers a tool to evaluate and recontextualize pathways of transformational conversion. Churches can engage their leaders and church members in a creative, communal exercise of self-reflection to discover how contextualization affects their disciple-making ability. The matrix sheds light on the entire process of gospel diffusion, beginning with the transmission of the Christian faith and moving to the translation of ministry (contextualization), the turnaround experience (conversion), the transformation of converts, and the retransmission of the gospel.
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Glauben und Denken heute, 2022
Bethel Church in Redding, Kalifornien, und ihr Pastor Bill Johnson sind Teil eines apostolischen ... more Bethel Church in Redding, Kalifornien, und ihr Pastor Bill Johnson sind Teil eines apostolischen Netzwerks, dessen Einfluss über die Grenzen der evangelikalen Gemeindebünde hinaus in Deutschland schnell wächst. Johnson begrüßt es offen, Erkenntnisse des New Age mit christlichen Überzeugungen zu verschmelzen. Er nennt New-Age-Praktiken “Werkzeuge, die Gott uns für den Erfolg im Leben und im Dienst gegeben hat”. Das Buch The Physics of Heaven, das von der Bethel Church mit Artikeln von Johnson und seiner Frau Beni beworben wird, lädt Christen zu einem Abenteuer mystischer Entdeckungen und Begegnungen ein, um “Wahrheiten aus dem New Age zurückzuerobern, die eigentlich den Bürgern des Reiches Gottes gehören.” Wenn sich jedoch religiöse Elemente, die der Bibel fremd sind, mit dem christlichen Glauben vermischen, kommt es zu Synkretismus, der die Kraft des Evangeliums, das Leben zur christlichen Reife zu verwandeln, schwächt (Eph 3,16–19; 4,13–14). Diese Konsequenz des Synkretismus wäre das Gegenteil von dem, was Bethel als eine beispiellose Bevollmächtigung für eine wundersame Zukunft mit übernatürlichen Phänomenen durch die Übernahme der New-Age-Ideologie anpreist. Evangelikale und pfingstlich-orientierte Christen in Deutschland stehen vor der provokanten Frage, ob der Anspruch der Bethel Church auf neues und mystisches Wissen die Aufnahme von New-Age-Überzeugungen in den christlichen Glauben rechtfertigt. Eine Analyse der Art, des Ausmaßes, der Anwendung und der Autorität von mystischer Erkenntnis in der Bethel Church aus evangelikaler Sicht trägt zu dieser Entscheidung und einer theologischen Differenzierung bei. Darüber hinaus beleuchtet ein Vergleich der entsprechenden Themen im New Age die Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede zwischen den religiösen Bewegungen. Letztendlich werden Gemeindeleiter entscheiden müssen, ob die Integration von New Age innerhalb der grundlegenden evangelikalen Affirmationen, wie in der quadrilateralen Definition von Evangelikalismus durch Bebbington ausgedrückt, bleibt oder unzulässige Formen des Synkretismus darstellt. Jede der beiden Schlussfolgerungen wird die Beziehungsnetze prägen, die sich zwischen den Gemeindebünden und den Diensten von Bethel bilden. Ein historischer Rückblick auf die Bethel Church und ihren wachsenden Einfluss in Deutschland geht der Diskussion über mystischer Erkenntnis voraus.
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Jurnal Voice, 2022
Transformational conversion has been essential to the cross-cultural diffusion of Christianity. A... more Transformational conversion has been essential to the cross-cultural diffusion of Christianity. An introduction to conversion and diffusion in the New Testament reveals relevant biblical themes to ensure an intelligible communication of conversion from an evangelical viewpoint. Conversion requires a twofold movement of repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ. As a supernatural act of God, people respond to the verbal transmission of the gospel with a personal decision of faith. The biblical data supplies that conversions may involve deliberation processes and cannot be separated from a lifelong commitment to Christian discipleship. A multi-case study of three church plants in Germany confirms that clear invitations into discipleship are necessary for facilitating transformational conversion. Each church presented conversion intelligibly, provided decision-making opportunities, affirmed the point and process of conversion, and connected conversion with discipleship.
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JEMS, 2022
The prosperity gospel is growing in its influence across evangelical denominational lines in Germ... more The prosperity gospel is growing in its influence across evangelical denominational lines in Germany. Various forms of contextualizing the promise of health and wealth require careful theological interpretation. A multi-case study of three German church plants investigates their interpretation of prosperity teaching from an evangelical perspective. While the promise of physical wellbeing as a Christian birthright must be rejected as syncretism, prosperity teaching does not necessarily imply the abandonment of evangelical affirmations about conversion and transformative discipleship.
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Books by Frank R . Liesen
Peter Lang, 2022
Free ebook version available via download at Peter Lang now. PDF version available here.
This di... more Free ebook version available via download at Peter Lang now. PDF version available here.
This dissertation argues that common and unique patterns of diffusion are the
causes for the process of transformational conversion across three church plants in
Germany. The research findings of this qualitative multi-case study disclose five common diffusional patterns: multi-faceted transmission, caring translation, clear turnaround, deep transformation, and continual retransmission. A total of nineteen common and divergent sub-themes in gospel diffusion add to a rich description of the phenomenon of conversion in relation to each church’s ministry.
Chapter one introduces the thesis, the pertinent academic literature, and the
research approach to identify patterns of diffusion in German church plants. A
theological assessment of conversion and diffusion in the New Testament supplements the Diffusional Matrix of Conversion in preparation for the research analysis.
Chapter two portrays the historical context of each case study church. This
historical perspective enriches the understanding of the local phenomenon of conversion and diffusion by disclosing the missionary activities of each church plant as a salient expression of their correlating evangelical movements: Migrant mission endeavors, new Pentecostal churches, and American mission efforts along with globally active church planting organizations in Germany.
Chapters three to five delve into a thick description of research findings in each
case according to the sequence of the actual field research: Hope Center in Berlin, Gospel Church Munich, and ConnectKirche Erfurt. The analysis of research findings across cases culminates in the cross-case analysis in chapter six, which renders an explanation for the primary research question and reveals common and divergent patterns of gospel diffusion. Finally, chapter seven comprises the conclusion with relevant implications, potential applications, suggestions for further research, and a final outlook.
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Conference Presentations by Frank R . Liesen
Paper: Conference of the European Pentecostal Theological Association 2022, 2022
Bethel Church in Redding, CA, USA and pastor Bill Johnson are part of an apostolic network growin... more Bethel Church in Redding, CA, USA and pastor Bill Johnson are part of an apostolic network growing quickly in their influence across evangelical denominational lines in Germany. Johnson openly welcomes insights from New Age to merge with Christian beliefs, thereby representing an “extreme” in Pentecostal theology and practice. The book The Physics of Heaven, promoted by Bethel Church, invites Christians on an adventure of mystical discoveries and encounters by adopting New Age ideology. However, when religious elements foreign to the Bible meld with the Christian faith, syncretism occurs and diminishes the potency of the gospel to transform lives toward Christian maturity. Evangelicals and Pentecostals in Germany face the provocative question of whether Bethel Church’s claim to new and mystical knowledge warrants incorporating New Age beliefs into the Christian faith. Analyzing the nature, extent, use, and authority of mystical knowledge at Bethel from an evangelical viewpoint contributes to this decision of theological discernment. Additionally, comparing the corresponding themes in New Age illuminate similarities and differences across the religious movements. A historical review of Bethel Church and their rising influence in Germany precede the discussion about mystical knowledge.
The paper concludes that Bethel’s agenda and “tools” for revival intertwine with a New Age ideology in dialectic tension with evangelical faith and spirituality. First, Bethel Church promotes an experiential approach to knowledge that includes mind transformation. In comparison, the evangelical faith tradition highlights rational discernment as an essential component of genuine spirituality. Secondly, a search for mystical insights beyond biblical knowledge stands in contrast to the evangelical hallmark teaching of the Bible’s sufficiency in all matters of the Christian life. Thirdly, Bethel Church uses mystical knowledge to promote healing powers similar to New Age, potentially encouraging Christians to employ animistic practices. An evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures warns against any magical manipulation of spiritual powers. Finally, evangelical scholars do not acknowledge Bethel’s various sources of authority as definite proof for their claim to mystical knowledge and New Age integrations.
This analysis invites evangelicals and Pentecostals to discuss the meaning of mystical knowledge and the role of New Age in the Christian faith. Christian leaders face the challenge of either welcoming Bethel’s promotion of New Age concepts to help engender Christian revival or opposing them as aberrant forms of syncretism.
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Papers by Frank R . Liesen
Books by Frank R . Liesen
This dissertation argues that common and unique patterns of diffusion are the
causes for the process of transformational conversion across three church plants in
Germany. The research findings of this qualitative multi-case study disclose five common diffusional patterns: multi-faceted transmission, caring translation, clear turnaround, deep transformation, and continual retransmission. A total of nineteen common and divergent sub-themes in gospel diffusion add to a rich description of the phenomenon of conversion in relation to each church’s ministry.
Chapter one introduces the thesis, the pertinent academic literature, and the
research approach to identify patterns of diffusion in German church plants. A
theological assessment of conversion and diffusion in the New Testament supplements the Diffusional Matrix of Conversion in preparation for the research analysis.
Chapter two portrays the historical context of each case study church. This
historical perspective enriches the understanding of the local phenomenon of conversion and diffusion by disclosing the missionary activities of each church plant as a salient expression of their correlating evangelical movements: Migrant mission endeavors, new Pentecostal churches, and American mission efforts along with globally active church planting organizations in Germany.
Chapters three to five delve into a thick description of research findings in each
case according to the sequence of the actual field research: Hope Center in Berlin, Gospel Church Munich, and ConnectKirche Erfurt. The analysis of research findings across cases culminates in the cross-case analysis in chapter six, which renders an explanation for the primary research question and reveals common and divergent patterns of gospel diffusion. Finally, chapter seven comprises the conclusion with relevant implications, potential applications, suggestions for further research, and a final outlook.
Conference Presentations by Frank R . Liesen
The paper concludes that Bethel’s agenda and “tools” for revival intertwine with a New Age ideology in dialectic tension with evangelical faith and spirituality. First, Bethel Church promotes an experiential approach to knowledge that includes mind transformation. In comparison, the evangelical faith tradition highlights rational discernment as an essential component of genuine spirituality. Secondly, a search for mystical insights beyond biblical knowledge stands in contrast to the evangelical hallmark teaching of the Bible’s sufficiency in all matters of the Christian life. Thirdly, Bethel Church uses mystical knowledge to promote healing powers similar to New Age, potentially encouraging Christians to employ animistic practices. An evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures warns against any magical manipulation of spiritual powers. Finally, evangelical scholars do not acknowledge Bethel’s various sources of authority as definite proof for their claim to mystical knowledge and New Age integrations.
This analysis invites evangelicals and Pentecostals to discuss the meaning of mystical knowledge and the role of New Age in the Christian faith. Christian leaders face the challenge of either welcoming Bethel’s promotion of New Age concepts to help engender Christian revival or opposing them as aberrant forms of syncretism.
This dissertation argues that common and unique patterns of diffusion are the
causes for the process of transformational conversion across three church plants in
Germany. The research findings of this qualitative multi-case study disclose five common diffusional patterns: multi-faceted transmission, caring translation, clear turnaround, deep transformation, and continual retransmission. A total of nineteen common and divergent sub-themes in gospel diffusion add to a rich description of the phenomenon of conversion in relation to each church’s ministry.
Chapter one introduces the thesis, the pertinent academic literature, and the
research approach to identify patterns of diffusion in German church plants. A
theological assessment of conversion and diffusion in the New Testament supplements the Diffusional Matrix of Conversion in preparation for the research analysis.
Chapter two portrays the historical context of each case study church. This
historical perspective enriches the understanding of the local phenomenon of conversion and diffusion by disclosing the missionary activities of each church plant as a salient expression of their correlating evangelical movements: Migrant mission endeavors, new Pentecostal churches, and American mission efforts along with globally active church planting organizations in Germany.
Chapters three to five delve into a thick description of research findings in each
case according to the sequence of the actual field research: Hope Center in Berlin, Gospel Church Munich, and ConnectKirche Erfurt. The analysis of research findings across cases culminates in the cross-case analysis in chapter six, which renders an explanation for the primary research question and reveals common and divergent patterns of gospel diffusion. Finally, chapter seven comprises the conclusion with relevant implications, potential applications, suggestions for further research, and a final outlook.
The paper concludes that Bethel’s agenda and “tools” for revival intertwine with a New Age ideology in dialectic tension with evangelical faith and spirituality. First, Bethel Church promotes an experiential approach to knowledge that includes mind transformation. In comparison, the evangelical faith tradition highlights rational discernment as an essential component of genuine spirituality. Secondly, a search for mystical insights beyond biblical knowledge stands in contrast to the evangelical hallmark teaching of the Bible’s sufficiency in all matters of the Christian life. Thirdly, Bethel Church uses mystical knowledge to promote healing powers similar to New Age, potentially encouraging Christians to employ animistic practices. An evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures warns against any magical manipulation of spiritual powers. Finally, evangelical scholars do not acknowledge Bethel’s various sources of authority as definite proof for their claim to mystical knowledge and New Age integrations.
This analysis invites evangelicals and Pentecostals to discuss the meaning of mystical knowledge and the role of New Age in the Christian faith. Christian leaders face the challenge of either welcoming Bethel’s promotion of New Age concepts to help engender Christian revival or opposing them as aberrant forms of syncretism.