Practical Theology Commons^™

Review Of Christ Centered: The Evangelical Nature Of Pentecostal Theology. By Robert Menzies., Michael D. Young

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

Review of Christ Centered: The Evangelical Nature of Pentecostal Theology. By Robert Menzies. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2020. 190 pp.

Review Of Phenomenal Phenomena: Biblical And Multicultural Accounts Of Spirits And Exorcism. By Joy L. Vaughan, Daniel D. Isgrigg

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

A Review of Phenomenal Phenomena: Biblical and Multicultural Accounts of Spirits and Exorcism. By Joy L. Vaughan. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2023. 265 pp.

Review Of Pentecostal Prophets: Experience In Old Testament Perspective. By Stephen D. Barkley, Wonsuk Ma

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

Review of Pentecostal Prophets: Experience in Old Testament Perspective. By Stephen D. Barkley. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock. 157 + xii pp.

Response To Walter Kedjierski And Leonardo Gajardo, Martin W. Mittelstadt

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

No abstract provided.

Response To Martin Mittelstadt, Leonardo J. Gajardo

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

No abstract provided.

Called: A Pentecostal Theology Of Vocation, Martin W. Mittelstadt

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

In this essay, I propose a Pentecostal theology of vocation that extends out of the Full Gospel and prophethood of all believers. Though Pentecostals devote considerable attention to church-related/religious vocations, Pentecostals must reimagine vocational implications for fullness of the Spirit on all believers. All Pentecostals are called to embody the dual impulses of the Fivefold Gospel. They are being saved, sanctified, baptized in the Spirit, healed, and living in eager anticipation of Jesus’ return. At the same time, all Pentecostals become saving agents with Christ; they perform holy love; they engage in Spirit-inspired witness; they offer healing balm for a …

Lex Orandi, Lex Serviendi: Roman Catholic Theology Of Ordained Ministry In Select Texts From The Rites Of Ordination, Leonardo J. Gajardo

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

This article will explore the understanding of ordained ministry within the Roman Catholic Church. The article proceeds by examining the prayer and homily from the rites of ordination for Bishops, Priests, and Deacons in order to observe the biblical foundations of ordained ministry, the role of ordained ministry within salvation history, the functional and ontological dimensions of ordained ministry, the living out of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and the role of the Holy Spirit in ordained ministry.

A Brief Consideration Of The Sacrament Of Marriage: From A Catholic Perspective For Pentecostal Christians, Walter F. Kedjierski

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

In this article Kedjierski attempts to highlight areas of convergence between Pentecostal and Catholic understandings of the covenant of marriage while at the same time explicating the divergences of their respective theologies of marriage. He begins with a personal testimony as to why it is important, particularly for Pentecostals and other Christians, to understand why the ritual associated with marriage is important to Catholics. Then he proceeds to explain the Catholic view of marriage as a sacrament that could be intelligible to Pentecostal audiences, including the place of the Holy Spirit in the ritual and living out of marriage. Subsequent …

A Pentecostal Appreciation Of Andrew Prevot’S “Varieties Of Healing: A Catholic Perspective”, Harold D. Hunter

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

A Pentecostal Appreciation of Andrew Prevot’s “Varieties of Healing: A Catholic Perspective”

Response To David Han’S “Healing In The Pentecostal Tradition”, Andrew Prevot

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

No abstract provided.

Healing In The Pentecostal Tradition, David Han

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

This essay provides a historical and theological overview of the Pentecostal experience of divine healing. The essay argues that, for Pentecostals, the experience of divine healing carries a paramount significance to the “heart” of their spirituality and theology. Like the experience of Spirit-baptism and speaking in tongues, Pentecostals experience healing as a foretaste of God’s eschatological reign. The essay traces the development of healing practices among early and modern Pentecostals historically and theologically. Pentecostal practices of divine healing emerged out of various healing movements rooted in the earlier Holiness traditions, but they were later firmly developed into a doctrinal understanding …

Varieties Of Healing: A Catholic Perspective, Andrew Prevot

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

This article contributes to Catholic-Pentecostal ecumenical dialogue by offering a particular Catholic perspective on the shared Christian belief in Christ is the Healer. More specifically, it distinguishes several ways in which humans are called to participate in the healing work of Christ. It considers Catholic approaches to sacramental, charismatic, miraculous, biomedical, psychotherapeutic, social, and ecological healing. It reflects on the historical background, contemporary significance, and interconnections of these diverse areas of healing, while distinguishing such a holistic understanding of healing from the narrower concept of a cure. Acknowledging the problem of unhealed sufferers, it argues against blaming such persons for …

Response To Kimberly Hope Belcher, Frederick L. Ware

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

No abstract provided.

Response To Frederick L. Ware, Kimberly H. Belcher

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

Response to Frederick L. Ware, "Initiation (Water Baptism) in North American Pentecostalism."

Initiation (Water Baptism) In North American Pentecostalism, Frederick L. Ware

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

As Pentecostal theology grows in appreciation of sacramental theology, this Catholic-Pentecostal dialogue represents an immense opportunity for Pentecostals. Previous iterations of dialogue identified infant baptism and believer’s baptism as topics of interest. Through a series of questions, this article identifies several challenges to baptism of both kinds. The complexity of issues is explored through contrasting Pentecostal experiences of water baptism and Pentecostal denominational and constructive theological interpretations of water baptism.

Initiation Sacraments And Directions For Catholic-Pentecostal Dialogue: An Essay For The Exploratory Usccb/Pccna Dialogue, Kimberly H. Belcher

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

This article surveys Roman Catholic understandings of initiation sacraments. It traces historical developments and current practices for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Holy Communion. Throughout attention is paid to the areas where convergences and issues for further discussion between Roman Catholics and Pentecostals emerge.

A Catholic Perspective On The New Relationship Between The Pentecostal Charismatic Churches Of North American And The United States Conference Of Catholic Bishops, Walter F. Kedjierski

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

A Catholic perspective on the PCCNA and USCCB dialogues.

Pccna And Usccb Historic Exploratory Dialogue: From Mass To The Vatican Then “Little Rome", Harold D. Hunter

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

A history of the PCCNA and USCCB dialogues.

Front Matter - Spiritus 9.2 (Fall 2024), [email protected]

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

No abstract provided.

Full Issue Spiritus 9.2 (Fall 2024), Jeffrey S. Lamp

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

This issue of Spiritus is a special one indeed. Almost three years ago I received a message from Martin Mittelstadt of Evangel University concerning the dialogue underway between representatives of the Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches of North America (PCCNA) and the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). This dialogue would take place over a three-year period (2021–2003), with papers and responses addressing three topics from the perspectives of Pentecostals and Roman Catholics. The participants expressed an interest in having the presentations from this dialogue published in journals representing both traditions.

Characteristics Of Growing Churches. Quantitative Analysis., Ago Lilleorg, Rein Murakas

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Abstract

This article presents a study of church growth using statistical analysis methods that identify the attitudes of members of a growing church with an analysis of them to understand the church growth process. The study of growing churches was conducted in nine protestant churches in Estonia with 350 participants. The article reveals four attitudinal characteristics that accurately describe growing churches: (a) the role of the church clergy in organizing the life and activities of the churches; (b) an open, encouraging, and positive atmosphere in the churches; (c) an active orientation towards serving the community; (d) a longing for God's …

Enseñanzas Bíblicas Luteranas, Marcos Kempff

Catecismo

No abstract provided.

Ecclesial Communion: Of Divine Economy Through Love And Participation, Kyle J. Groesch

Masters of Theological Studies

Following the councils of Nicaea and Constantinople, the early followers of Christian faith understood the proper name for their God to be entirely triune in essence: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While this trinitarian heritage has scarcely been passed down to modern believers of Christianity, the fundamental truth of God’s triune nature remains the same. Out of the divine economy, humanity was crafted in the image of God with koinonia at heart. As Father, Son, and Holy Spirit comprise the singular ousia and cannot exist apart from one another, so the Body with many members is only possible in the …

Book Review: Communication In Mission: Global Opportunities And Challenges Edited By Marcus Dean, Scott Moreau, Sue Russell, And Rochelle Scheuermann, I. Francis Kile Iii

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Calling Out The Called: Discipling Those Called To Ministry Leadership By Scott Pace And Shane Pruitt, Desmond W. Wallace

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Review: Mission In The Way Of Daniel: Empowering Believers To Live Into God’S Plan By Edward Smither, H. L. "Scooter" Ward Jr.

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Using Statistics In Church-Based Research, David R. Dunaetz

Great Commission Research Journal

Although the proper use of statistics is challenging for most people, including researchers, aggregated numeric data is often the strongest evidence that a researcher can present to support an idea. This is because statistics is such a powerful tool for detecting trends that can be observed in complex contexts such as churches. Church researchers need to understand two classes of statistics: descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics describe the different variables that are measured in a study and include the mean, the standard deviation, and confidence intervals. They also include correlations showing how these variables are related to each …

Book Review: Mission In Praise, Word, And Deed: Reflections On The Past And Future Of Global Mission Edited By Edward L. Smither And Jessica A. Udall, Nathaniel (Than) Veltman

Great Commission Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Innovations In Engaging The Next Generation Towards Discipleship And Mission, Billy Mcmahan

Great Commission Research Journal

This research addresses the central question: How can the church adapt to reach and disciple Generation Z in a way that speaks to their distinctive experiences and needs? To answer this question, the paper will first explore Gen Z’s defining characteristics and then examine how various organizations, particularly for-profit organizations, engage this emerging generation. Finally, the study will highlight innovative ministries gaining significant traction with Gen Z, offering insights and models for broader church applications.

Will They Stay Or Will They Go? Assessing Connections Between Professions Of Faith And Church Integration At A Church In Central California, David C. Thiessen

Great Commission Research Journal

This case study examines the connection between professions of faith and individual retention at Mountain View Church in Fresno, California, identifying potential spiritual, contextual, and institutional factors that influence retention. The research methodology included a statistical analysis of 658 recorded commitment cards and responses from an online survey (N = 23) and a follow-up phone interview (N = 16). Those retained tended to make a profession of faith after two or more visits, in contrast to the average profession, which occurred on the first visit. One-third of those responding to the survey indicated that they had been invited to church …