This thesis undertakes the task of examining the theme of worship in the Apocalypse by means of a... more This thesis undertakes the task of examining the theme of worship in the Apocalypse by means of a narrative approach in an effort to make a contribution to a Pentecostal theology of worship based on the Apocalypse. After a survey of the most recent scholarship on the theme of worship, the methodological approach for the thesis is presented. The thesis employs a Pentecostal hermeneutic that makes use of Wirkgungsgeschichte and narrative analysis. A detailed examination of early North American Pentecostal periodical literature reveals the depth to which the spirituality of early Pentecostals was impacted by their reading of the Apocalypse as a liturgical text. A Pentecostal narrative hearing of the Apocalypse follows in which the theme of worship is examined. The thesis culminates in an offering of overtures toward the construction of a Pentecostal theology of worship based on the Apocalypse. The thesis concludes with implications and suggestions for further research.
With the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Christian communities and the increasing c... more With the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Christian communities and the increasing concern of the influence of the LGBTQIA communities upon politics, there has been a resurgent concern to reaffirm “male headship” for church, state and marriage. Emphasizing so-called biblical gendered roles has become a way to argue against feminism and same-sex marriage. Along with the resurgence of the traditional understanding of divine order as patriarchy comes an undermining of women in leadership roles, especially in ministry. Pentecostals generally have been more liberal (challenging the tradition of patriarchy as related to ministry) than conservative (maintaining that females should be silent in church and subject to male authority) regarding females in ministry. In this article we will state fairly and accurately the two contemporary positions—complementarian and egalitarian—by drawing primarily from their official websites and key theologians, and then present a pentecostal re...
This review article offers a survey of Pentecostal scholarship on the Apocalypse since 1983. The ... more This review article offers a survey of Pentecostal scholarship on the Apocalypse since 1983. The survey is divided into three categories: monographs, chapter essays, and journal articles. Within each category, the scholarship is reviewed in chronological order.
This essay reviews Rev. 1.1–6.17 of Craig Koester’s Revelation commentary (Anchor Yale Bible, 201... more This essay reviews Rev. 1.1–6.17 of Craig Koester’s Revelation commentary (Anchor Yale Bible, 2014). The essay was originally presented as part of a three-person panel review on the commentary presented to the Society for Pentecostal Studies Biblical Studies section at the 2014 Society for Biblical Literature meeting. Koester’s commentary represents a major contribution to Apocalypse studies. Along with a critical review of the commentary proper, Koester’s inclusion of hymns in his introductory chapter is discussed as an important acknowledgement of the role of worship in the Apocalypse. Comment is made on Koester’s history of interpretation sections that introduce each major section of the text of Revelation under consideration. This review seeks to demonstrate the relevance of Koester’s work for Pentecostal readers who have often read and interpreted Revelation from a dispensational perspective.
History of effect is a recent methodology being used as a means to discover the ways in which rea... more History of effect is a recent methodology being used as a means to discover the ways in which readers are influenced by biblical texts. This essay seeks to discover how the early Pentecostals were influenced in their worship by their reading of the Apocalypse. Early Pentecostal literature is filled with references to the worship practices and experiences of the early Pentecostal communities. The literature, which is largely testimonial in nature, indicates that the early Pentecostals were deeply influenced in their worship by the Apocalypse. This essay provides a survey of both Wesleyan-Pentecostal and Finished Work periodical literature from 1906-1916.
With the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Christian communities and the increasing c... more With the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Christian communities and the increasing concern of the influence of the LGBTQIA communities upon politics, there has been a resurgent concern to reaffirm "male headship" for church, state and marriage. Emphasizing so-called biblical gendered roles has become a way to argue against feminism and same-sex marriage. Along with the resurgence of the traditional understanding of divine order as patriarchy comes an undermining of women in leadership roles, especially in ministry. Pentecostals generally have been more liberal (challenging the tradition of patriarchy as related to ministry) than conservative (maintaining that females should be silent in church and subject to male authority) regarding females in ministry. In this article we will state fairly and accurately the two contemporary positions-complementarian and egalitarian-by drawing primarily from their official websites and key theologians, and then present a pentecostal reading/hearing of Ephesians 5:21-33. We will exegetically engage the passage and then raise important questions concerning these understandings in light of a pentecostal hermeneutical perspective that privileges Luke-Acts, especially Acts 2. The goal will be to understand the passage and then move toward a pentecostal egalitarian understanding of humanity and society, thus affirming the beauty and dignity of female and male without affirming the hierarchical position of patriarchy or matriarchy.
This thesis undertakes the task of examining the theme of worship in the Apocalypse by means of a... more This thesis undertakes the task of examining the theme of worship in the Apocalypse by means of a narrative approach in an effort to make a contribution to a Pentecostal theology of worship based on the Apocalypse. After a survey of the most recent scholarship on the theme of worship, the methodological approach for the thesis is presented. The thesis employs a Pentecostal hermeneutic that makes use of Wirkgungsgeschichte and narrative analysis. A detailed examination of early North American Pentecostal periodical literature reveals the depth to which the spirituality of early Pentecostals was impacted by their reading of the Apocalypse as a liturgical text. A Pentecostal narrative hearing of the Apocalypse follows in which the theme of worship is examined. The thesis culminates in an offering of overtures toward the construction of a Pentecostal theology of worship based on the Apocalypse. The thesis concludes with implications and suggestions for further research.
With the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Christian communities and the increasing c... more With the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Christian communities and the increasing concern of the influence of the LGBTQIA communities upon politics, there has been a resurgent concern to reaffirm “male headship” for church, state and marriage. Emphasizing so-called biblical gendered roles has become a way to argue against feminism and same-sex marriage. Along with the resurgence of the traditional understanding of divine order as patriarchy comes an undermining of women in leadership roles, especially in ministry. Pentecostals generally have been more liberal (challenging the tradition of patriarchy as related to ministry) than conservative (maintaining that females should be silent in church and subject to male authority) regarding females in ministry. In this article we will state fairly and accurately the two contemporary positions—complementarian and egalitarian—by drawing primarily from their official websites and key theologians, and then present a pentecostal re...
This review article offers a survey of Pentecostal scholarship on the Apocalypse since 1983. The ... more This review article offers a survey of Pentecostal scholarship on the Apocalypse since 1983. The survey is divided into three categories: monographs, chapter essays, and journal articles. Within each category, the scholarship is reviewed in chronological order.
This essay reviews Rev. 1.1–6.17 of Craig Koester’s Revelation commentary (Anchor Yale Bible, 201... more This essay reviews Rev. 1.1–6.17 of Craig Koester’s Revelation commentary (Anchor Yale Bible, 2014). The essay was originally presented as part of a three-person panel review on the commentary presented to the Society for Pentecostal Studies Biblical Studies section at the 2014 Society for Biblical Literature meeting. Koester’s commentary represents a major contribution to Apocalypse studies. Along with a critical review of the commentary proper, Koester’s inclusion of hymns in his introductory chapter is discussed as an important acknowledgement of the role of worship in the Apocalypse. Comment is made on Koester’s history of interpretation sections that introduce each major section of the text of Revelation under consideration. This review seeks to demonstrate the relevance of Koester’s work for Pentecostal readers who have often read and interpreted Revelation from a dispensational perspective.
History of effect is a recent methodology being used as a means to discover the ways in which rea... more History of effect is a recent methodology being used as a means to discover the ways in which readers are influenced by biblical texts. This essay seeks to discover how the early Pentecostals were influenced in their worship by their reading of the Apocalypse. Early Pentecostal literature is filled with references to the worship practices and experiences of the early Pentecostal communities. The literature, which is largely testimonial in nature, indicates that the early Pentecostals were deeply influenced in their worship by the Apocalypse. This essay provides a survey of both Wesleyan-Pentecostal and Finished Work periodical literature from 1906-1916.
With the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Christian communities and the increasing c... more With the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage among Christian communities and the increasing concern of the influence of the LGBTQIA communities upon politics, there has been a resurgent concern to reaffirm "male headship" for church, state and marriage. Emphasizing so-called biblical gendered roles has become a way to argue against feminism and same-sex marriage. Along with the resurgence of the traditional understanding of divine order as patriarchy comes an undermining of women in leadership roles, especially in ministry. Pentecostals generally have been more liberal (challenging the tradition of patriarchy as related to ministry) than conservative (maintaining that females should be silent in church and subject to male authority) regarding females in ministry. In this article we will state fairly and accurately the two contemporary positions-complementarian and egalitarian-by drawing primarily from their official websites and key theologians, and then present a pentecostal reading/hearing of Ephesians 5:21-33. We will exegetically engage the passage and then raise important questions concerning these understandings in light of a pentecostal hermeneutical perspective that privileges Luke-Acts, especially Acts 2. The goal will be to understand the passage and then move toward a pentecostal egalitarian understanding of humanity and society, thus affirming the beauty and dignity of female and male without affirming the hierarchical position of patriarchy or matriarchy.
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