ecumenism – Daniel Tomberlin

January 20, 2023January 23, 2023

Reflecting on the Christian Forum

Recently (Jan 19-20, 2023), I was honored to participate in the Christian Forum in Atlanta, Georgia. The gathering consisted of about forty pastors and other clergy from Roman Catholic, Baptist, and Pentecostal churches. We came together holding to a simple theological commitment – belief in the Triune God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The agenda was likewise simple: “to build bridges of unity through the sharing of faith stories or testimonies.”

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August 9, 2017August 24, 2017

Come, Let us Reason Together

Jesus was notorious for dining with sinners. I find his practice to be an act of grace because he has reserved a seat for me (and you). If Jesus is willing to sit at the table with us, then maybe we should consider sitting at the table of fellowship with each other, and with sinners, heretics, and everyone else with whom we disagree.

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July 18, 2016October 31, 2019

An Ecumenism of Tears

Since I was first called into ministry I have been an ecumenist. I believe that the church of Jesus Christ is one body. I am also a realist, one who prefers to see things as they are. Therefore, I acknowledge that even as the church is one in Christ we have utterly failed to demonstrate that essential unity.

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May 4, 2015April 30, 2015

Is the Pentecostal Brand worth Saving?

Recently, there have been suggestions that the Pentecostal Movement needs to be rebranded. This assumes that the Pentecostal movement of the twentieth century has lost its appeal for a 21st century audience. As I have written before, there is a distinction between Pentecostal culture and Pentecostal theology. As any Pentecostal will testify, the Spirit moves; so as the Spirit moves into the 21st century the Pentecostal culture will be transformed by a revisioned Pentecostal theology. Theology informs practice; and practice reflects theology. Theology that is not practiced is a dead faith. Practice that does not reflect biblical theology is “form without power.”

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April 22, 2015April 23, 2015

Why I haven’t left the Church of God

Recently, I’ve read articles that explain why many young ministers are leaving denominations for ministry in independent churches. Through the decades I have watched as many talented ministers have separated themselves from the Church of God for a variety of reasons. I would like to offer an explanation of why I have not jumped ship.

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January 13, 2015January 16, 2015

Reflections on the Believers Baptism Consulation

Recently, I was honored to participate in the Believers Baptism Consultation in Kingston, Jamaica (press release and final report). This event was attended by leaders and scholars representing a variety of Christian theological traditions and a representative of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. My presentation was entitled “Believers Baptism in the Pentecostal Tradition.”

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March 11, 2013July 9, 2014

The Father’s Embrace: Restoration, Grace, & Joy

When I was a child, my brothers and I sometimes quarreled and fought. Dad would come in the room and sternly warn us, “Boys, you better stop fighting right now or I’ll have you on your knees hugging and kissing each other.” Many of our childhood brawls ended with us on our knees embracing each other. There are many examples of sibling rivalries throughout the Bible, beginning with the story of Cain and Abel. Sometimes sibling rivalry has developed into civil war.

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