Reflections of an Undeconstructed Pentecostal
One of the events I try to attend is the annual meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies. Each year scholars of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement gather to present papers, engage in dialogue, fellowship, and worship. This year SPS met at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. The campus is beautiful and the University students and staff were excellent hosts.
Continue reading “Perplexed by Tongues?”
The title of bishop is used to designate a person who is charged with oversight of a local congregation (pastor) and/or multiple congregations. The term “bishop” (episkopos) is used in the New Testament only six times. Five of these occurrences are Pauline and speak to oversight of the church (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:1ff; and Titus 1:7). The fourth occurrence is Petrine and speaks to the ministry of Christ as he who is “Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). In his farewell address to the church elders at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul exhorted, “Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 2:28). Here Paul offers a paradigm for understanding the ministry of bishop in the apostolic church.
Continue reading “The Pentecostal Bishop”
Once, I was watching a prominent Charismatic evangelist on a Christian network preach a message on salvation and healing. As he preached, I listened attentively. I thought, “He’s really doing a good job presenting the gospel.” Then, he gave the altar call. He said, “If you’re ready to receive from God, come now and sow your $1000 seed faith gift into our ministry.” I wish I could say that I was surprised, but I was not. This is all too common in contemporary Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. And frankly, it is appalling. Salvation and healing are the free gifts of God. Jesus paid it all!
Continue reading “The Gift of God”