word and power

323 Pages·2012·2.47 MB·English

WORD AND POWER:
A Critical Evaluation of the Compatibility of the
Theology of John Wimber with Reformed Principles,
for Possible Application to the Life and Witness of
Presbyterian Congregations.
Gareth William David Stewart
B.A.Hons. (Q.U.B.), B.A.Hons. (Sheff.), Dip.C.Min. (M.H.B.C.), M.A.
(Sheff.), P.G.Cert.Min. (P.T.F.I.).
Doctor of Ministry in Missional Leadership Dissertation
Mattersey Hall in association with Bangor University
Supervisor: Dr. R. Routledge
Word Count: 63 867
December 2012
Abstract
This thesis discusses the contribution made by John Wimber to the theology
of evangelism, discipleship and ministry. These contributions are contextually
placed within a Reformed congregation that is part of a Confessional
Presbyterian Denomination. While it does not address specifics with one
congregation, the principles aim to be applicable to all such congregations. It
seeks to challenge the accepted attitudes toward evangelism, the integration
of new converts into the Church through discipleship, and the release of these
converts into some form of ministry. This thesis argues for a re-evaluation of
the power of the Holy Spirit in confirming the gospel with signs accompanying,
in filling each believer with his fullness and the giving of spiritual gifts, and a
release of these gifts through every member ministry as a possible
methodology to be implemented in Presbyterian congregations.
This thesis aims to offer a middle way between Pentecostalism and
Cessationist theology through the ministry philosophy of John Wimber, himself
an ordained minister of a Reformed denomination. It seeks to respect the
theological and historical traditions of Presbyterianism, while not being
uncritical of some of its current methodologies. It also seeks to suggest that
the theology of the Reformed faith is best suited to a Charismatic
methodology with the emphasis on God’s sovereignty, omnipotence and
sacramental theology. It seeks to place the practice of evangelism,
discipleship and ministry within the context of a local congregation as that
which is best suited to minister to the needs of that local community in which it
is planted, and to evangelise, disciple and train those members to meet the
spiritual needs of that community. This thesis argues for an integration of the
presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the context of a Bible and preaching-
based congregation.
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WORD AND POWER:
A Critical Evaluation of the Compatibility of the
Theology of John Wimber with Reformed Principles,
for Possible Application to the Life and Witness of
Presbyterian Congregations.
Title Page p.1.
Abstract p.2.
Contents p.3.
Abbreviations p.6.
Acknowledgements p.7.
Declaration p.8.
The Theoretical Foundation
Chapter 1: Setting the Scene

Introduction p.12.
Definition of Terms p.16.
The Position of the Confessional Reformed Churches p.19.
The Reason for Choosing John Wimber p.27.
The Need for a Reformed/Charismatic Ministry Model p.38.
Partial Conclusion p.46.
Chapter 2: The Basis of the Study

Introduction p.48.
The Theological Review p.48.
Theological Context -
Dispensationalism and Fundamentalism p.50.
Wimber’s Context p.57.
George Eldon Ladd p.59.
Charles H. Kraft p.61.
C. Peter Wagner p.64.
The Missionary Context p.66.
Wimber’s View of the Kingdom p.71.
The Kingdom is Living between the Ages p.75.
The Relationship between the Kingdom and the Church p.80.
The Relationship between the Kingdom
and Spiritual Warfare p.86.
The Future Coming of the Kingdom p.97.
A Critique of Western Culture and the Western Church p.99.
Partial Theological Conclusion p.108.
The Literature Review p.112.
The Main Texts: The Writings of John Wimber p.112.
Charismatic Pneumatology p.120.
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Reformed Pneumatology p.123.
Confessional Literature p.128.
Reformed and Charismatic Literature p.133.
Contemporary Ecclesiology p.139.
Partial Literary Conclusion p.143.

Chapter 3: How the Study will Work
Introduction p.144.
The Research Questions p.148.
Action and Qualitative Research Strategy p.153.
Role of the Researcher and Qualitative Research p.155.
Outline for the Thesis p.158.
Merits in the Study p.162.
Issues of Concern p.165.
Partial Conclusion p.166.

The Contextual Applications
Chapter 4: Evangelism in a Reformed Church
Introduction p.167.
The Fear Model p.171.
The Incarnational Model p.174.
The Relational Model p.177.
The Power Model p.179.
Partial Conclusion p.185.

Chapter 5: Discipleship in a Reformed Church
Introduction p.190.
The Behavioral Model p.197.
The Proclamation Model p.202.
The Sacramental Model p.206.
The Charismatic Model p.212.
Partial Conclusion p.219.
Chapter 6: Ministry in a Reformed Church
Introduction p.222.
The Training Model p.227.
The Apprenticeship Model p.235.
The In House Model p.239..
The Need Model p.243.
Partial Conclusion p.248.

Conclusion
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Introduction p.250.
Theological Reflections p.251.
The Implications of Implementing Wimber’s Theology in PCI p.252.
The Challenge of Calvinism p.263.
Implementing Kingdom Based Theology in Northern Ireland p.265.
Answering the Research Questions p.270.
The Harmony of the Dissertation p.274.
The Application of the Dissertation p.277.
The New Picture of the Dissertation p.280.
The Future of Reformed and
Charismatic Theological Reflection p.282.
Bibliography. p.284.
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Abbreviations
ESV The Holy Bible, English Standard Version.
PCI The Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
MPC Maghera Presbyterian Church.
MTS Ministry Training Strategy
NIV Holy Bible: New International Version.
NLT Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Second Edition.
NKJV Holy Bible, New King James Version.
WARC World Alliance of Reformed Churches.
WCF Westminster Confession of Faith.
WSC Westminster Shorter Catechism.
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Acknowledgements
I want to thank my wife and best friend, Cherrie, for all her support and
encouragement throughout our marriage and in the ministry to which Christ
has called me. For Sebastian, my best friend, who has never spoken a word
but has given me nothing but love and acceptance and who died just before
the completion of this work. I also want to thank my Mum for the stable home
and Christian upbringing that she and Dad provided.
I want to thank Robin Routledge for supervising me throughout this period of
study, and for his encouraging and challenging comments.
Lastly, but by no means least, I want to thank my Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ who saved me, called me, anointed me and, to my own amazement,
continues to bless the work I do for him.
SOLI DEO GLORIA!
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Declaration and Consent
Details of the Work
I hereby agree to deposit the following item in the digital repository maintained
by Bangor University and/or in any other repository authorized for use by
Bangor University.
Author Name: GARETH WILLIAM DAVID STEWART
Title: WORD AND POWER: A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE
COMPATABILITY OF THE THEOLOGY OF JOHN WIMBER WITH
REFORMED PRINCIPLES, FOR POSSIBLE APPLICATION TO THE LIFE
AND WITNESS OF PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATIONS.
Supervisor/Department: DR. R. ROUTLEDGE, MATTERSEY HALL
Funding body (if any): NONE
Qualification/Degree obtained: DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
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