John Piper Echoing Wayne Grudem’s Contention that NT Prophecy Differs from OT Prophecy

Piper contends along the same lines as Wayne Grudem that NT prophecy was of a different character than OT prophecy. I appreciate how Piper acknowledges and concedes why people would have a hang-up over such a declaration. He also argues that the NT gift of teaching is fallible and a good analogy of how NT [...]

Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Pentecost

The second thing we notice is that in chapter 2 of the prophecy of Joel, which was quoted by Peter in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, the emphasis is placed upon the word pour out: ‘It shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my Spirit upon [...]

Blast from the Past: An Old Bibliotheca Sacra Journal Article from 1951 Chiding Pentecostals for Being a “Small” Denomination

In my research for my thesis, I came across the following from BSac—V108 #429—Jan 51—pps. 46-47
Is the Pentecostal Movement Pentecostal?
Part 1 – Roy L. Aldrich
The first statement to be examined is the assertion that the modern Pentecostal movement is “a second, or fuller, realization and fulfillment of Joel 2:28–29” than was known previously. If the [...]

Pentecostalism in Latin America

Milton Acosta of Biblical Seminary of Colombia in Medillín gives his readers an introduction to the trends in Latin American Pentecostalism.  He says that churches are often disconnected from either Catholicism or Protestantism and the pastors often get theology degrees from an unregulated degree market.  There are also trends of “Protestant shamanism” and the prosperity [...]

Friendly Discourse on Charismatic Gifts

I have been in discourse on Facebook of all places with some folks that I esteem, one of which is an Orthodox Presbyterian pastor that I have the highest esteem for. Anyhow, thought you might be interested in the correspondence:
OPC Pastor: Rutherford’s qualification is important: “1. These worthy reformers did tye no man to beleeve [...]

John Calvin: The Pentecostal???

This is an article from a scholar that I have much respect for, Dr. Ben Witherington, who in turn gives much respect to John Calvin even if Witherington is Weselyan. Note that Calvin may have spoken in tongues. I have bold and italicized the section which make reference to such.
John Calvin is Old, and Not [...]

Countdown to Pentecost Sunday: Pentecostals, Greatest Global Movement?

Time magazine had recently cited the “New Calvinism” as one of the most important ideas in the world. While I am excited about such as a Calvinist myself, I was somewhat surprised by the omission of Pentecostalism.
Jenkins calls Pentecostalism,“the most successful social movement of the past century” (Jenkins 2002:8). Jenkins, P. (2002) The Next Christendom: [...]

Countdown to Pentecost Sunday:”Teaching a Calvinist to Dance” by James K.A. Smith

Professor at Calvin College, James K.A. Smith, offers some thoughts on how Reformed theology and Pentecostal practice complement each other. BTW, the picture on the left is that of a dancing Abraham Kuyper (Dutch Calvinistic Giant). Link at Christianity Today here.
You will find this less academic, more biographical, and perhaps a bit challenging devotionally. Also, [...]

Quotable by John Gill on Prayer…Is he speaking of tongues???

You will find the quotes below….notice the part in bold text, which sound surprisingly similar to the “prayer language” glossolalia that some Pentecostal/Charismatic folks advocate.

1. Take notice of the various sorts of prayer, which will lead on to that; for there is a praying with all prayer, which denotes many sorts and kinds of prayer.
1a. [...]

Review of Greg Carey “Ultimate Things: An Introduction to Jewish and Christian Apocalyptic Literature”

Carey, G. (2005). Ultimate Things: An Introduction to Jewish and Christian Apocalyptic Literature. St. Louis, MO: Chalice.

Commenting on Joel 2:28-32, Carey (2005:61) says:
…it proclaimed an eschatological age marked by prophetic and visionary activity…Peter recites part of the passage to interpret the manifestations of the Spirit at Pentecost (2:16-21). Likewise, Paul, who testifies to prophetic activity [...]

Geerhardus Vos = Charismatic Theologian?

Okay, I know that some are about to stone me for even mentioning Geerhardus Vos and charismatic in the same sentence. It was intended to be provocative, but I must say that Vos’ pnuematological insights align well with a Redemptive-Charismatic hermeneutic. He quotes:
The position of Jesus in the development of pneumatology as between the Old [...]

Max Turner’s “The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts”

This isn’t a review per se, but rather some of my thoughts on a single citation from Turner’s volume.
Turner, M. (1998) The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts in the New Testament and Today. Hendrickson: Peabody, MA.
The nature of the gift of the Spirit which Peter promises to all who call on the name of the [...]

More Thoughts on Max Turner’s “Spirit of Prophecy”

Turner, Max. 1998. The ‘Spirit of Prophecy’ As the Power of Israel’s Restoration and Witness. In “Witness to the Gospel: The Theology of Acts” edited by Marshall, I.H. & Peterson, D.
My first post can be read at http://endued.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/review-of-max-turner’s-“’the-spirit-of-prophecy’-as-the-power-of-israel’s-restoration-and-witness”/
The Pentecost account (2:1-13) quite deliberately echoes Jewish accounts of the Sinai theophany…Jesus is exalted to God’s right hand [...]

Review of Thomas Oden’s “Life in the Spirit” and thoughts on Pentecost as Precursor to Global Harvest, and Sign of New Covenant Blessing for ALL Who Call on the Name of the Lord, and the Overflow of the Spirit beyond Jerusalem unto ALL Nations

 
Oden, T.C. (1992). Life in the Spirit. San Francisco, CA: Harper Collins.

Fifty days after firstfruits, two loaves of bread were offered, the yeast of which prefigured the formation of the church on the day of Pentecost (Oden 1992:59).
The Christian Pentecost referred backward to the Levitical Feast of Weeks and forward to the celestial banquet in [...]

Thoughts on W. Hildebrandt’s “An Old Testament Theology of the Spirit of God”…and thoughts on the Ramifications of the “Prophethood” of all Believers to New Testament Ecclesiology

Hildebrandt, W. (1995). An Old Testament Theology of the Spirit of God. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.

Yahweh’s action in pouring out the Spirit has extensive effects. “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, [...]

Thoughts on the Missiological Intent of Pentecost …and F.D. Bruner’s “A Theology of the Holy Spirit: The Pentecostal Experience and the New Testament Witness”

Bruner, F.D. (1998). A Theology of the Holy Spirit: The Pentecostal Experience and the New Testament Witness. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock.

It is in Luke’s interest as he develops the Pentecost events in Acts 2 that the meaning of Pentecost be found not in the interior spiritual life of the disciples nor even in the [...]

Thoughts on R.V.G. Tasker’s, “The Old Testament in the New Testament”, as it relates to Pentecost

Tasker, R.V.G. (1947). “The Old testament in the New Testament”, Phila: Westminster Press.
St. Peter’s speech, however, which follows the incident, interprets it not just as another occurrence of common religious phenomenon, but as something unique. He interprets it as the fulfillment of words of the prophet Joel, prophetic of the Messianic age, when [...]

Book Review of “Miraculous Gifts for Today? Four Views”, Sam Storms Response to Richard Gaffin Jr.

Storms C S 1996. A Third Wave Response To Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. In Grudem W A (ed), Are Miraculous Gifts For Today? Four Views . Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
 
Dr. Storms (1996:73), in his response to respected scholar Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, deals specifically with Gaffin’s contention that Pentecost should be viewed as the climax [...]

Book Review of Ronald Kydd’s “Charismatic Gifts in the Early Church”…Well Documented Defense of Spiritual Gifts into the 3rd Century

 

 
Kydd, Ronald A. (1997). Charismatic Gifts in the Early Church: An Exploration Into the Gifts of the Spirit During the First Three Centuries of the Christian Church. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.
For more on author Dr. Ronald Kydd, visit:  http://www.tyndale.ca/seminary/viewfaculty.php?id=85
 
This very brief book analyzes the theology and presence of Spiritual gifts in the Post-Apostolic era. Kydd examines [...]

“Pray for Sam Storms”

Okay, so I was praying a couple weeks ago and the Lord prompted in my heart the desire to pray for Sam Storms. I sought how I ought to pray and I sensed that Sam Storms was perhaps in transition to a new ministry opportunity from his current role as president of “Enjoying God Ministries” [...]

Book Review of Sam Storms’ “The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts”

Storms, Sam. (2002) The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts. Ventura, CA: Regal Books.
Dr. Storms stays true to the title and offers an insightful introductory primer on Spiritual gifts, namely the “charismata” mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 by the apostle Paul. Storms weaves non-technical exegesis in related texts, personal testimonies of his relation to the exercise [...]

15 Ways My Pentecostal Upbringing Has Shaped Me…for the good

John Piper recently posted on his blog some reflections on Fundamentalists and why he doesn’t despise them (http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1251_20_reasons_i_dont_take_potshots_at_fundamentalists/). I was inspired by such to reflect on my own spiritual and theological journey in Pentecostalism. Here are 15 reasons why I am grateful for my Pentecostal heritage:
15. I learned that prayer was not merely a monologue [...]

Pursuit and desire

No, this isn’t a post about dating! It’s about the practice of using the prophetic gift. I’m starting from the premise that the gift of prophecy continues today and is to be used for upbuilding, encouragement, and consolation of others (1 Cor. 14:3).
Paul instructs us to “pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual [...]

Bezalel “Endued” by the Holy Spirit for Beautifying and Creating Culture + Thoughts on Reformed, Dispensational, Cessationist, Pentecostal/Charismatic Spirituality and Piety

What does God do when He wants beautiful craftsmanship?  Pours out His Holy Spirit
How does God increase IQ? Holy Spirit
How does God increase ability? Holy Spirit
How does God increase ones artistic ability? Holy Spirit
How does God equip Teachers for His people? Holy Spirit
At least, this is the obvious conclusion for God’s intended purpose of filling Bezalel [...]

Remembering 9/10/01 with Gordon Fee

I went on vacation to Vancouver, BC in September of 2001 and spent several days consuming large amounts of salmon and books from Regent Seminary’s bookstore. I was also considering Regent as a possible seminary destination and inquired as to whether I would be allowed to sit in on a class, especially with esteemed scholar [...]

Book Review of Dennis Johnson’s “The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption”, Plus my Proposal that Covenant Theology and Charismatic Theology Marry Each Other

 
Johnson, D.E. (1997). The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption. Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed. 
I am not shocked to see that Dr. Johnson’s first person thanked under “Acknowledgments” is none other than Dr. Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. While I strongly disagree with Gaffin’s contribution to Zondervan’s Counterpoint Book, “Are Miraculous Gifts for Today”, [...]

Book Review of John Algera’s “Signs and Wonders: A Reformed Look at the Spirit’s Ongoing Work”

A Decent Primer for Reformed Folks

I appreciate Algera’s contribution to the church in that it serves as an introductory primer for folks mainly within a RCA, CRC, or reformed background. It is easily readable and is intended for the common layreader. He intentionally connects themes with the Heidelberg Catechism and Belgic Confession, which makes it [...]

Book Review of Jonathan Huntzinger’s Commentary on the Gospel of John

I am a former student of Dr. Huntzinger and I vouch for his academic competence as he was the most challenging professor I had at the King’s College. I took Greek from him and was the better for it.
This commentary on the gospel of John, as part of the new Spirit-Filled Life New Testament Commentary [...]

Book Review of Larry R. McQueen’s “Joel and the Spirit: The Cry for a Prophetic Hermeneutic”

This is a rough bibliographic entry based on my research of this monograph as it relates to my particular interests. Do not consider it a scholarly review of any sort. Where McQueen is not directly quoted, the comments are my own and the thoughts are my interaction with the material researched.
McQueen, L.R. (1995). Joel and the [...]

An Informal Chat with Bible Scholar, Dr. Craig Keener

Craig Keener-
Ph.D. (New Testament and Christian Origins): Duke University
M.Div.: Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
B.A.: Central Bible College
Over half a million of Craig’s books-some for academic and some for general audiences-are in print, including The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (InterVarsity Press) The Gospel of John: A Commentary (Hendrickson); and commentaries on Matthew and 1-2 [...]