Practical Theology Commons^™

Differences Between The Water Baptism And The Moment Of Receiving The Holy Spirit, Caleb Otniel Traian Nechifor

Caleb Otniel Traian Nechifor

From the New Testamental’s point of view, there are some differences between the time of the water baptism and the time of receiving the Holy Spirit. Even if chronologically the two acts can be very close, we can always make a clear temporal distinction between them. Using the most relevant passages from Acts, this article intends to prove that in all cases the baptism with the Holy Spirit was a distinct experience from the water baptism. The article also describes tangentially the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

Book Review: Graceful Evangelism: Christian Witness In A Complex World By Frances S. Adeney, Laurie Fortunak Nichols

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Rethinking Urban Theology: A Critique For Moving Forward, Cory Wilson

Great Commission Research Journal

The last 300 years have witnessed the worldwide urban population jump from just two percent in 1700 to fifty percent at the turn of the twenty-first century. The Christian community has sought to adapt and respond to this current trend in the form of developing an urban theology. This article seeks to provide what is intended to be a helpful critique of some aspects of urban theology. Specific attention will be given to three aspects of urban theology that are in need of critique: urbanization, the gospel and social justice, and biblical theology. Following an analysis of these three areas, …

Book Review: Introducing Cultural Anthropology: A Christian Perspective By Brian M. Howell And Jenell Williams Paris, M. David Sills, Faye Stone

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Urban Legacy Of Twentieth Century Missiology, Jeff K. Walters

Great Commission Research Journal

In this “urban century,” it is sometimes easy to forget that urban work is not new to global missions. The purpose of this article is to review the work of four key twentieth century missiologists—Donald A. McGavran, Francis DuBose, Harvie Conn, and Roger Greenway— and consider their impact on the evangelism and missions in urban contexts. The article concludes with a brief analysis of their missiology and its application to twenty-first century missions strategy.

Book Review: A God-Sized Vision: Revival Stories That Stretch And Stir By Collin Hansen And John Woodbridge, Daryl C. Cornett

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Worship And Mission After Christendom By Alan And Eleanor Kreider, Karl Dahlfred

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Judicatory Leadership And The Urban Challenge: A Wesleyan District Makes The Move, Richard E. Meeks

Great Commission Research Journal

Detroit, Michigan, finds itself listed in the “top ten” of our nation’s dead or dying cities. After a forty year absence, God is calling the Wesleyan Church back into this great city. This denomination’s East Michigan District is leading the way. The thrust of urban ministry is gaining momentum as church leaders commit to reaching the cities. Judicatory leaders must understand the challenges that come with the opportunities. Richard chronicles the East Michigan District’s journey and shares their experience and learning to assist others in making the move into church planting in a major city’s urban environment.

Pauline Spiritual Warfare: How A Warfare Mentality Shaped Paul’S Approach To Missions, Will Brooks

Great Commission Research Journal

Paul’s understanding of the condition of nonbelievers and his understanding of how Satan attacks believers is explained in this article. In support of this effort the biblical data is examined and lessons arising from the Pauline corpus in relation to these two issues are noted. Paul’s perspective on these two issues is explored as it relates to his missiological practice. The article, then, concludes with some contemporary applications of this study as they affect current missiological practices.

Dissertations And Thesess Notices, Gary L. Mcintosh

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Right Here, Right Now: Everyday Mission For Everyday People By Alan Hirsch And Lance Ford, Kevin Book-Satterlee

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Mother Of All Challenges: Constant Change, Enormous Needs, But-For-God Impossible Difficulties, John Thompson

Great Commission Research Journal

Half of the population of the world lives in cities of one million or more. If we don’t reach and disciple from these masses, our future missionary and pastoral force will be diminished. The book Urban Impact is a trumpet call to muster our forces but also deals with the philosophy and practical principles that make any ministry in the city successful. Brandishing a practical writing style coupled with real life experiences, the author helps the reader understand the problems, burdens, joys, and powerful impact cities have on the rest of society.

Church Planting: Looking Back, Looking Forward, Looking Up, Looking Out, David Stein

Great Commission Research Journal

Church planting is one of the most exciting endeavors one can be blessed with the opportunity in which to participate. C. Peter Wagner once called church planting the single most effective evangelistic strategy under heaven. After one studies, prepares, and gets out into the real world, however, one can find that not everything always goes as planned or as desired. This article will reflect on church planting from an experiential and biographical perspective as well as through interaction with other experts in the field via literature. The writer hopes the reader will find insight, value, and encouragement to apply to …

About The Great Commission Research Network, Alan Mcmahan

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Introduction, Alan Mcmahan

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

How Should We Then Witness? A Plea For Reexamining Evangelical Evangelistic Practice In Light Of The Concept Of Worldview, Adam W. Greenway

Great Commission Research Journal

This article’s purpose is to explore the issue of evangelistic renewal within evangelicalism. Discussions concerning the decline of evangelism are ubiquitous, and many evangelicals have called for greater attention to discipleship and follow up as the prescription to this acknowledged malady. This essay argues that the more critical need is to intentionally factor the concept of worldview into the development of contemporary evangelistic strategies and methods to more effectively reach postmodern persons. The article commences with an exploration and definition of the concept of worldview itself. Of particular focus here is how worldview interplays with theology and praxis. A brief …

Saving The Church From The Sinner’S Prayer, Christopher R. Little

Great Commission Research Journal

The Sinner’s Prayer has become part and parcel of Western evangelistic methodology. Its historical derivation can be traced to American revivalist techniques. The prayer’s application in twenty-first century popular culture has added further obstacles to the process of making genuine disciples as Jesus is presented as a commodity to be consumed in order to achieve self-actualization. In this setting, the calls to count the cost of discipleship have been neglected, which has adversely affected the church. To reverse course, baptism should replace the prayer’s usage as an indication of one’s commitment to Christ, and disciple formation should incorporate the biblical …

Book Review: Spiritual Leadership In A Secular Age: Building Bridges Instead Of Barriers By Edward H. Hammett, Lloyd W. Rodgers

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: The Facilitator Era: Beyond Pioneer Church Multiplication By Tom Steffen, Matthew L. Pierce

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: The Next Wave: Empowering The Generation That Will Change Our World By David Wraight, R. Scott Pace

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Taking Your Church To The Next Level: What Got You Here Won’T Get You There By Gary L. Mcintosh, Jeff Reynolds

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Implementing A Discernment Phase For Those Nominated In The Shepherd Selection Process At The Cinco Ranch Church Of Christ, Aaron Walling

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This doctor of ministry thesis presents the results of a project that implemented a discernment phase for those nominated in the shepherd selection process at the Cinco Ranch Church of Christ. Occurring in the fall of 2010, this project involved nominees in a series of six one-hour, thirty-minute sessions designed to establish the theological foundations for shepherding and to explore its practical expression at Cinco Ranch. For the theological component, this project primarily utilized Ephesians 4:11-16, and for the practical side, it incorporated group interactions with those serving as shepherds along with the review of guiding leadership documents. The project‟s …

Wisdom Christology: How Jesus Becomes God's Wisdom For Us, Daniel J. Ebert

Faculty Books

The Explorations in Biblical Theology series addresses the need for quality literature that attracts believing readers to good theology and builds there up in their faith. Each title in the series combines solid content with accessibility and readability-a valuable addition to the library of any college student, thoughtful lay reader, seminarian, or pastor.

What is true wisdom? While contemporary culture locates it in self-absorption, the first-century apostles revealed how wisdom is located supremely in Jesus Christ. Daniel Ebert explains how Old Testament wisdom motifs are not only appropriated in New Testament Christology but also far surpassed in God's Son.

Discerning A Vocational Theology Of Marriage For The Smyrna Church Of Christ, Daniel F. Camp

Doctor of Ministry Theses

The goal of this project was to discern a vocational theology of marriage for the Smyrna Church of Christ in Smyrna, Tennessee. Through a group discernment process, the participants studied Genesis 1-3 and 2 Corinthians 5 as a basis for understanding God’s design for marriage at creation, the effects of sin on the vocational aspect of the marriage relationship, and the call of Christ for husbands and wives to participate in the resurrection life through the ministry of reconciliation. At the end of the discernment process, the participants articulated a theology statement for the church that examined our current context …

Crafting A Congregational Narrative For The College Church Of Christ In Fresno, California, Jason W. Locke

Doctor of Ministry Theses

This thesis describes a ministry project in the College Church of Christ in Fresno, California. In this project I led the congregation through a narrative crafting process in order to clarify the church’s identity and increase its capacity for mission. In recent decades, the College Church moved away from some of its founding characteristics yet failed to clarify a new sense of identity. It subsequently had difficulty acting with a unified sense of purpose and instead moved increasingly toward fragmentation.

Data for crafting the new narrative came from three weeks of group interviews. My research team conducted these interviews in …

September 30, 2008 - Theta Phi Lectures - Evangelicals And Catholics Together, Part 1 By Kenneth Collins, Kenneth J. Collins

ATS Lectureships

No abstract provided.

What Is Faith? (The Associate Editor's Desk), E. Edward Zinke

Perspective Digest

No abstract provided.

Apocalyptic And Free Will, Robert M. Johnston

Journal of the Adventist Theological Society

No abstract provided.

As Good As It Gets: A Review And Consideration Of "Healing Prayer", Its Theological And Ministry Implications, And The Hope For Change It Evokes., Henry Kranenburg

CTS Master of Theology (ThM) Theses

If healing is possible, and Christian prayer is a means to achieve it, how do Christians 'make it happen'? The answer to this question has had renewed and increasing interest for Christians in Reformed circles (Chapter I). While different healing 'ministries' have claimed to unlock (some aspect) of healing, there has been limited assessment of these ministries in both their methodologies and their claims. This paper reviews four of these ministries, first looking at aspects of their teaching and methodology (Chapter 2). It then reflects on these from a behavioural-psychological perspective by asking a number of questions (Chapter 3) before …

2011 - 105th Annual Summit, "Enough: Isaiah 1:11-17", Abilene Christian University, Abilene Christian University

Lectureship and Summit Programs

No abstract provided.