Reflections of an Undeconstructed Pentecostal
Before the first pictographs were stenciled on cave walls, before the first words were pressed into clay tablets, God’s “eternal power and divine nature” was revealed in creation (Romans 1:20). Unlike other ancient origin myths in which the gods emerged from a primordial swamp, the God of the Bible eternally preexist space, time, and matter (Genesis 1:1). Nature as a source of revelation is a common theme among the biblical writers. Continue reading “The Revelation of God in Creation”
Anthropology, the study of humanity, is the current rage among theologians of all persuasions. On the left, Feminist theologians view the bible with suspicion, the product of a powerful patriarchy intent on the perpetual subjugation of women. Queer theologians seek to redefine humanity by blurring distinctions of sexuality. On the right, some conservative theologians (Protestant, Catholic and male) insist that the world, and the church, is the domain of men. God created men to rule, women to submit.
Continue reading “Men and Women in the Image of God”
The movie The Book of Eli is the story of a post-apocalyptic world in which humanity is reduced to anarchy and cannibalism.
Eli (played by Denzel Washington) is a man on a journey, guided by a voice, with the mission of protecting a mysterious book. The antagonist is Carnegie (played by Gary Oldman) who is looking for a single copy of the mysterious book. For Eli, the book symbolizes hope; for Carnegie, the book is a tool of power. Both men hold the Bible dear to their hearts. I found the movie to be a powerful commentary on the nature of humanity and Sacred Scripture.
Continue reading “The Sacred Scriptures are self-authenticating”
This is the first statement of the Church of God Declaration of Faith. Earlier creeds began with a statement about God: “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth”. But like many creeds of the early twentieth century, the Declaration of Faith first establishes the Holy Scripture as the foundation of all theological reflection.
Continue reading “We believe in the verbal inspiration of the Bible”
In recent years, many Pentecostals started a new tradition – beginning the new year with a twenty-one day fast. Long before this became a common practice, I was introduced to Lent, the practice of fasting 40 days in solidarity with Jesus’ journey towards the cross. Continue reading “Is there a place for Lent in Pentecostalism?”
The decline of Methodism has been a theme in Pentecostal churches for decades. As a teenager in the Church of God in the 1970s, I recall our pastor warning that the Church of God was going the way of Methodism. In fact, the two scapegoats among most campmeetng preachers were the lukewarm Methodists and the apostate Catholics. Both were roundly accused of holding to a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. For the moment, let’s talk about the Methodists and why there is hope for the future of Methodism, and Pentecostalism.
Continue reading “Is Church Decline Inevitable?”