Description
During the mid-twentieth century Pentecostal theology was co-opted by fundamentalism and its dispensational brand of millennial eschatology. Fundamentalist dispensationalism not only reinterpreted the original Pentecostal vision of the latter-rain outpouring of the Spirit in the last days but undercut its raison d’être as a people empowered by the Spirit of Pentecost to participate in the kingdom of God. Yet eschatology is much broader than twentieth-century dispensationalism, and Pentecostal eschatology is diverse, reflecting the diversity of Pentecostal and Charismatic spiritualities – there are many Pentecostal eschatologies.
This collection of essays from established scholars and rising stars offers fresh perspectives in eschatology for the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. The fresh readings of eschatology in this volume demonstrate that Pentecostals no longer need to look to others to interpret their theology for them but can stand as scholars and thinkers in their own right.
About the Author
Peter Althouse, PhD (University of St Michael’s College at the University of Toronto) is Associate Professor of Theology, Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida. He is author of Spirit of the Last Days (2003) and co-editor of Winds from the Nort (2010)
Robby Waddell, PhD (University of Sheffield) is Associate Professor of New Testament, Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida. He is author of The Spirit of the Book of Revelation.
Contents
List of Contributors
Acknowledgements
The Landscape of Pentecostal and Charismatic Eschatology: An Introduction / Peter Althouse
Part One: Eschatology in Biblical Perspectives
1. Early Jewish Eschatology / William Raccah
2. Restoring the Kingdom to Israel: Kingdom and Spirit in Luke’s Thought / Blaine Charette
3. Seven Dispensations or Two-Age View of History: A Pauline Perspective / John A. Bertone
4. Apocalyptic Sustainability: The Future of Pentecostal Ecology / Robby Waddell
5. The Mystery of the Great Whore: Pneumatic Discernment in Revelation 17 / John Christopher Thomas
Part Two: Theological Engagements on Pentecostal Eschatology
6. Early Pentecostal Eschatology in the Light of The Apostolic Faith, 1906-1908 / Larry McQueen
7. Eschatology, Spirit Baptism, and Inclusiveness: An Exploration into the Hallmarks of a Pentecostal Social Ethic / Murray W. Dempster
8. Eschatology as Soteriological: The Cosmic Full Gospel / Matthew K. Thompson
9. Pentecostal Eschatology in Context: The Eschatological Orientation of the Full Gospel / Peter Althouse
10. Patience as a Theological Virtue: A Challenge to Pentecostal Eschatology / Daniel Castelo
Part Three: Theological Engagements and Charismatic Issues
11. Hope for Eternal Life: Perspectives for Pentecostals and Catholics / Jeffrey Gros, FSC
12. “Discerning the Times”: The Victorious Eschatology of the Shepherding Movement / David Moore
13. Prosperity Already and Not Yet: An Eschatological Interpretation of the Health and Wealth Emphasis in the North American Pentecostal-Charismatic Movement / Michael J. McClymond
Part Four: Contextual Pentecostal Eschatologies
14. The New Jerusalem versus Social Responsibility: The Challenges of Pentecostalism in Guatemala / Nestor Medina
15. “Se Fue con el Señor”: The Hispanic Pentecostal Funeral as Anticipatory Celebration / Sammy Alfaro
16. Constructing an African Pentecostal Eschatology: Which Way? / J. Ayodeji Adewuya
17. Jesus is Victor: The Eschatology of the Blumhardts with Implications for Pentecostal Eschatologies / Frank D. Macchia
Bibliography
Endorsements and Reviews
Doesn’t the otherworldliness of Pentecostalism result in a view of the end times reducible to the doctrine of the rapture of the church? Not according to the biblical scholars, historians, ethicists, and theologians who have contributed to this book. Those who overlook it will be ‘left behind’ on the breadth and depth of current Pentecostal thinking about eschatology!
Amos Yong, J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology, School of Divinity, Regent University
Contributors are mindful of the complexity of the process whilst, for the most part, presenting a convincing case for the importance of theology engaging with ethnography in the context of ecclesiology.
Emily Pennington, in Theological Book Review, Vol 24, No 2
It is rare to find a book that so creatively relates doctrine to different biblical, theological, historical and contextual concerns. This is a book to provoke thinking beyond Pentecostalism and implicitly raises questions about the way we do theology.
Andy Lord, in The Expository Times, Vol 124, No 8
