Renewing Christian theology : systematics for a global Christianity

546 Pages·2014·7.25 MB·English

by  Amos Yong

“Yong’s work brilliantly articulates what the world of Christian theology is fast
becoming: the dawning reality that the ‘regions beyond’ have become the new
center of Christianity. Renewing Christian Theology is a twenty-first-century
expression of what it means to have ‘good news for all people!’ ”
—Byron D. Klaus, President, Assemblies of God
Theological Seminary
“This remarkable book introduces and creatively reconstructs a Pentecostal
summa in sympathetic and critical dialogue with the best of Christian heritage.
No one interested in Pentecostal and Renewal movements can ignore this work.”
—Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, Professor of Systematic Theology,
Fuller Theological Seminary and Docent of Ecumenics,
University of Helsinki “Yong reprioritizes the order of classic theological
reasoning, beginning with eschatology, in order to emphasize Christ-centered
and Spirit-empowered Christianity.”
—Don Thorsen, Professor of Theology,
Azusa Pacific University
“Here at last is a vibrant theological text that systematically addresses the big
intellectual challenges confronting twenty-first-century Pentecostals and
charismatics. Every chapter bursts with constructive ideas, bringing biblical
exposition and theological themes to bear on the doctrinal statements that define
the Church’s long renewal.”
—William K. Kay, Professor of Pentecostal Studies,
University of Chester
“Amos Yong delivers a forward-looking and pneumatologically grounded
systematics of Renewal demonstrating its contribution to the wider theological
academy and the global church.”
—Sammy Alfaro, Assistant Professor of Theology,
Grand Canyon University
“No doubt this book will be a landmark work in Renewal Theology and spark a
spirited conversation about the role of Pentecostal theology in ecumenical and
interreligious dialogue.”
—Peter C. Phan, The Ignacio Ellacuria Chair of
Catholic Social Thought, Georgetown University
Renewing Christian Theology
Systematics for a Global Christianity
AMOS YONG
with artistic images and commentary by
JONATHAN A. ANDERSON
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY PRESS
© 2014 by Baylor University Press
Waco, Texas 76798-7363
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without the prior permission in writing of Baylor University Press.
Scripture quotations, where not an author’s own translation, are from the New Revised Standard Version
Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in
the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Cover Design by Nicole Holmes, Zeal Design Studio
Cover Image: Sadao Watanabe (Japanese, 1913–1996), Oikoumene, 1991, traditional Japanese colors on
washi paper. Courtesy of Tatsuo Watanabe.
Select public domain images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, http://commons.wikimedia.org / Eitan f.
(fig. 6.2), IT1315922 (fig. 6.3), Gunnar Bach Pedersen (fig. 9.1), Sitiens lucem (fig. 9.4), Marie-Lan
Nguyen (fig. 12.2), and Caroline Léna Becker (fig. 12.4).
Book Design by Diane Smith
eISBN: 978-1-4813-0309-5 (e-Pub)
eISBN: 978-1-4813-0310-1 (Mobi/Kindle)
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Yong, Amos.
Renewing Christian theology : systematics for a global Christianity / Amos Yong; with artistic images
and commentary by Jonathan A. Anderson.
477 pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-60258-761-8 (pbk. : alk. paper)
1. Assemblies of God--Doctrines. 2. Pentecostal churches--Doctrines. 3. Theology, Doctrinal. 4.
Pentecostalism. I. Title.
BX8765.5.Z5Y66 2014
230’.994--dc23
2013049573
To our colleagues in the Biola University Art Department
and in the Regent University School of Divinity
for your friendship, laughter, prayers, and common labor
that is the outworking of a Spirit-filled life of the mind we all desire,
for the sake of the gospel, in anticipation of the coming reign of God
~ 1 Corinthians 13:12 ~
~ 1 John 3:2 ~
~ Romans 11:33-36 ~
Contents
Figures and Permissions
Acknowledgments
Preface
1 Introduction
Renewing Christian Theology—The Contemporary Task in Global Context
2 The Last Days and the End of Time
Christian Hope Then and Now
3 The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Christian Ministry and the Mission of God
4 The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
A Salvation-Historical Perspective
5 Sanctification and Holiness
In the World but Not of It
6 Ordinances and Sacraments
Practicing the Christian Life
7 The Church and Its Mission
The Spirit of the Reconciling God
8 Divine Healing
Salvation of the Body and Redemption of the World
9 Salvation in Christ through the Spirit
An Eschatological Soteriology
10 Creation and Fall
Natural History and the Redemptive Ends of God
11 The Eternal Godhead
The Mystery of the Triune God in a World of Many Faiths
12 The Spirit-Inspired Scriptures
Biblical Authority and Theological Methods for Us and Our Salvation
Epilogue
Appendix 1
The World Assemblies of God Fellowship Statement of Faith
Appendix 2
Early Ecumenical Creeds
Glossary
References
Scripture Index
Index of Names
Subject Index
Expanded Table of Contents
Figures and Permissions
Acknowledgments
Preface
1 Introduction
Renewing Christian Theology—The Contemporary Task in Global Context
1.1 World Christianity: An Overview
1.2 Christian Theology: One Faith—Changing Contexts and Forms
1.3 Renewed and Always Renewing: A Way Forward for Christian
Theology
1.4 An Overview and Road Map for the Book
2 The Last Days and the End of Time
Christian Hope Then and Now
2.1 Paul the Apocalyptic Apostle
2.2 What and When? Contextual Considerations
2.2.1 Millennialism: Historical Developments
2.2.2 Final-State Eschatologies: Disputed Possibilities
2.2.3 Contemporary Challenges in Global Context
2.3 Apostolic Anticipations: Lukan Eschatology
2.4 Christian Hope Today and Tomorrow
3 The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Christian Ministry and the Mission of God
3.1 Elizabeth as Prototype of the Spirit-Filled Life
3.2 The Spiritual Gifts: Historical Considerations
3.2.1 Patristic and Medieval Developments
3.2.2 Reformation and Early Modern Disputes
3.2.3 Global “Charismania”!?
3.3 Pauline Charismology: A Dialogue with the Corinthians
3.4 Surprised by the Holy Spirit!
4 The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
A Salvation-Historical Perspective
4.1 Peter’s Journey in the Spirit
4.2 Spirit Baptism: Quests for Understanding
4.2.1 The Puritan and Reformed Quest for Assurance
4.2.2 The Wesleyan-Holiness Search for Perfection
4.2.3 Signs and Interpretation: Spirit Baptism in Ecumenical and
Global Contexts
4.3 Apostolic Fragments: The Many Tongues of Acts
4.4 Be Filled with the Spirit!
5 Sanctification and Holiness
In the World but Not of It
5.1 Mary: Set Apart by the Spirit
5.2 Christian Perfection: Historical Trajectories
5.2.1 The Quest for Perfection in the Christian Tradition
5.2.2 Perfect Love in the Wesleyan-Holiness Movement
5.2.3 Sanctification in Ecumenical and Global Perspective
5.3 Johannine Sectarianism—and Sanctification
5.4 Be Holy and Being Made Holy!
6 Ordinances and Sacraments
Practicing the Christian Life
6.1 John the Baptist: In Water—and the Spirit?
6.2 The Great Tradition and Its Sacramental Tributaries
6.2.1 Christian Initiation and Baptism
6.2.2 The Eucharist/Supper as Sacrament and/or Ordinance?
6.2.3 Renouncing the Devil: Deliverance and Discernment
6.3 The “Sacramentalism” of the Fourth Gospel
6.4 Repent, Renounce, Be Baptized, Eat, and Drink: Practicing the
Christian Life
7 The Church and Its Mission
The Spirit of the Reconciling God
7.1 Stephen’s Eschatological Vision of the People of God
7.2 Contestations among/about the People of God
7.2.1 Israel and the Church: Whence the Temple of the Spirit?
7.2.2 Reformist, Restorationist, Renewalist: What Body of Christ?
7.2.3 Between Israel and the Reign of God: Whither Global
Christianities?
7.3 An Ephesian Ecclesiology