Ignatius of Antioch: Seven Episcopal Letters
Reflections on Estrelda Alexander’s Black Fire
Estrelda Alexander’s Black Fire tells a compelling story of the Pentecostal Movement, specifically that of Pentecostal believers of African descent in North America. Like many Pentecostal historians, she begins by comparing the physical earthquake in San Francisco in April 1906 with the spiritual earthquake of the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles in the same year. The reader is to be reminded of the words of God spoken by an ancient prophet: “I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land. I will shake all the nations . . .” (Haggai 2:6-7). The birth of twentieth century Pentecostalism was indeed a profound shaking – a shaking of ecclesiastical structures, a shaking of socio-political sensibilities in North America, a shaking that would be felt in all the nations of the earth.
Continue reading “Reflections on Estrelda Alexander’s Black Fire”
Reflections on Phoebe Palmer’s The Way of Holiness
Phoebe Palmer (1807-1874) was a prominent nineteenth century evangelist in the Wesleyan tradition. She came to the Christian faith in the midst of the Holiness revivals that followed the Great Awakening (1730s – 1740s) and the Cain Ridge Communion (1801). The spirituality of these American revival movements emphasized emotional and intense religious experiences that signified the reality of one’s conversion. This divine assurance was the foundation and motivation for the convert to go on to Christian perfection.
Continue reading “Reflections on Phoebe Palmer’s The Way of Holiness”
Human Sexuality – A Select Bibliography
I’m often asked for resources that are helpful to pastors in developing a Christian theology of human sexuality. Following is a select bibliography of resources I often recommend.
Continue reading “Human Sexuality – A Select Bibliography”
Holiness: The Beauty of Perfection by Dale M. Coulter – A Review
Many of us have traveled the journey of being converted to Christ in Pentecostal churches only to suffer from fear and guilt imposed by passionate preachers with bad theology. That was my story. I was converted at fifteen years old and Spirit-filled about a year later. Between conversion and Spirit-baptism I struggled with sanctification. I loved Jesus, enjoyed reading Scripture, and had a passion for ministry. But I struggled with temptations common to all teenagers.
Continue reading “Holiness: The Beauty of Perfection by Dale M. Coulter – A Review”
The Eucharist: Life or Death
The apostle Paul declared that when believers come to the Eucharist, they must properly discern the body of the Lord in the bread and cup, lest they bring judgment upon themselves.
Continue reading “The Eucharist: Life or Death”