This introduction to biblical interpretation expands the interpretive task to encompass both comprehension of the Bible's content and active participation in God's redemptive plan. The authors help readers engage with the beauty of God's Word and read it holistically for their intellectual and spiritual growth. They address the nature of interpretation; emphasize the Holy Spirit's role in the production, interpretation, and application of the Bible as a communication of the triune God; and explore the Bible's genres and historical contexts through the lens of God's redemptive story. They also provide principles and accessible guidelines for biblical interpretation in global contexts, including a simple outline for beginning students to follow as they start interpreting and applying Scripture. Above all, the authors emphasize the transformative nature of reading Scripture. This series reflects the changing face of global Christianity. Series volumes highlight themes of interest to Pentecostal/Charismatic students; however, the books are respectful and inclusive of a variety of church traditions. Series editors are Jerry Ireland, Paul W. Lewis, and Frank D. Macchia.

This systematic theology textbook introduces students to the complexity and beauty of theology as a pursuit of the global church today. It views theology as an ongoing conversation with many voices about the wonders of God that is faithful to Scripture but is also attentive to the wisdom of tradition and the relevance of context. The book first summarizes the nature and necessity of theological thinking and discusses theological method. Chapters then unfold in creedal order through the various regions of Christian teaching, with units on revelation, God, creation and providence, Christology, pneumatology, ecclesiology, anthropology, soteriology, and eschatology. This book is part of a new series that reflects the changing face of global Christianity. Series volumes are written by leading Pentecostal/Charismatic scholars who highlight themes of interest to Pentecostal/Charismatic students; however, the books are respectful, appreciative, and inclusive of a variety of church families and traditions. Series editors are Jerry Ireland, Paul W. Lewis, and Frank D. Macchia.

This introduction explores Christian spirituality as a pursuit of the global church today. It encourages students to adopt a lifestyle spirituality, which involves relational intimacy with the triune God. Gary Tyra is well known for his work in the field of Christian spirituality and has years of experience in the classroom and in the church. In this book, Tyra encourages us to adopt a Pauline lifestyle spirituality, whereby we keep in step with the Holy Spirit so that we might experience an ongoing mentoring relationship with the Son in order to faithfully and fruitfully engage in the mission of the Father. Keeping in step with the spirit unfolds in a "lifestyle spirituality," a collection of convictions, commitments, and customs that constitute the disciple's lifelong journey with the triune God. This book is part of a new series that reflects the changing face of global Christianity. Series volumes are written by leading Pentecostal/Charismatic scholars who highlight themes of interest to Pentecostal/Charismatic students; however, the books are respectful, appreciative, and inclusive of a variety of church families and traditions. Series editors are Jerry Ireland, Paul W. Lewis, and Frank D. Macchia.

The church has been called to participate in God's mission in the world. But without a robust, biblical sense of the Spirit's action, how can we be sure we're fulfilling that call? In this innovative work of missional pneumatology, Gary Tyra synthesizes charismatic and evangelical perspectives to flesh out the nature and purpose of the church's preaching, proclamation and service.

Part One: The Assured Life * Preface * General Introduction: Why We All Need the ABCs * Introduction to the Truth of Assurance * Lesson 1: Assurance Regarding the Gospel * Lesson 2: Assurance of Salvation * Lesson 3: Assurance of Eternal Security * Lesson 4: Assurance of God?s Daily Provision * Lesson 5: Assurance of God?s Provision for Sin * Lesson 6: Assurance of God?s Guidance * Lesson 7: Assurance of Eternal RewardsPart Two: The Transformed Life * Preface * Lesson 1: Truths That Transform * Lesson 2: The Faith-Rest Life * Lesson 3: The Christ-Centered Life * Lesson 4: The Spirit-Filled Life (Part 1) * Lesson 5: The Spirit-Filled Life (Part 2) * Lesson 6: The Word-Filled Life * Lesson 7: The Prayer-Filled Life (Part 1) * Lesson 8: The Prayer-Filled Life (Part 2) * Lesson 9: The Devotional LifePart Three: The Multiplied Life * Preface * Lesson 1: The Stewardship of Time * Lesson 2: The Stewardship of Talents * Lesson 3: The Stewardship of God?s Truth * Lesson 4: The Stewardship of God?s Truth Through Evangelism (Part 1) * Lesson 5: The Stewardship of God?s Truth Through Evangelism (Part 2) * Lesson 6: The Stewardship of God?s Truth Through Evangelism (Part 3) * Lesson 7: The Stewardship of God?s Truth Through Evangelism (Part 4) * Lesson 8: The Stewardship of God?s Truth Through Discipleship * Lesson 9: The Stewardship of TreasuresAppendices * Appendix 1: Thoughts on Ezekiel 2:8; 3:1-3, 14 * Appendix 2: Exposition of Isaiah 55:1-3 * Appendix 3: Preparing to Truly Hear God?s Word * Appendix 4: The Believer and Daily Cleansing (John 13:1-17) * Appendix 5: An Overview of the Forgiveness of Believers * Appendix 6: Key Verses on the ?Daily? Emphasis of Scripture * Appendix 7: Seven Subtle Snares of Worldliness * Appendix 8: Soul Nourishment First by George Muller * Appendix 9: The Middle Voice of 1 Corinthians 13:8

Should a Christian doctrine of salvation be concerned with this life or the life to come? With forgiveness of sins or deliverance of sinners? With the saving of the soul or the healing of the body? Should it focus on the person and work of Jesus Christ or on the presence and power of Holy Spirit? To all these questions (and more), Tony Richie's Saved, Delivered, and Healed: Introducing a Pentecostal Doctrine of Salvation answers "Yes!" Then it proceeds to present from the Scriptures, from Pentecostal theology and spirituality, and from decades of pastoral and personal experiences and academic insights an energetic and holistic view of salvation grounded in the wisdom, goodness, and power of God. Its constant focus is God's ultimate redemptive purpose in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit for the lives of real human beings living in the real world. If you have ever wondered what Christian salvation actually means and how it actually works, then this book is for you.

Eusebius of Caesarea lived at a crucial turning point in the history of the Christian church. He was an important witness to the polemical and apologetic attitudes that characterized much early Christian literature. The most voluminous writer of the early fourth century, he was also the first comprehensive historian of his community seeking a philosophy to explain the whole course of history from the beginning to his own time. This volume places Eusebius' work in proper perspective. The contributors, all recognized specialists in early Christianity, shed light on the person and circumstances of Eusebius himself. This collection of essays focuses on elements of the story that Eusebius tells — the story of the early church, its relationship to Judaism, or its confrontation with the Roman Empire — and explores gaps left by Eusebius. The writers offer a cross-section of current scholarly methods in the study of early Christianity and Judaism.

History of Biblical Interpretation provides detailed and extensive studies of the interpretation of the Scriptures by Jewish and Christian writers throughout the ages. Written by internationally renowned scholars, this multivolume work comprehensively treats the many different methods of interpretation, the many important interpreters from various eras, and the many key issues that have surfaced repeatedly over the long course of biblical interpretation.--This second installment contains essays by fifteen noted scholars discussing major methods, movements, and interpreters in the Jewish and Christian communities from the beginning of the Middle Ages until the end of the sixteenth-century Reformation. The authors examine such themes as the variety of interpretive developments within Judaism during this period, the monumental work of Rashi and his followers, the achievements of the Carolingian era, and the later scholastic developments within the universities, beginningin the twelfth century.

The charisma of prophecy is found throughout the history of the global Pentecostal movement. Within the movement, prophecy is seen as the communication of an inspired, spontaneous revelation, bringing edification to the faith community. Despite its prevalence, academic research has mostly focused on the biblical-theological aspect, neglecting the actual contemporary practice. This book addresses this gap with a study on the practice of prophecy within the Assemblies of God of Singapore. The book investigates the nature, purpose, and significance of the phenomenon. It also identifies theological variables that are correlated with its practice and explicates these relationships. The investigation employs the empirical-theological method of Johannes van der Ven, utilizing both a qualitative and a quantitative study. The results provide a rich description of the actual reception, delivery, and judging of prophecy. Significant findings include relationships between prophecy and courage, love, personality types, prayer types, and evangelism.

How do we hear the Spirit's voice in Scripture? Once we have done responsible exegesis, how may we expect the Spirit to apply the text to our lives and communities? In Spirit Hermeneutics biblical scholar Craig Keener addresses these questions, carefully articulating how the experience of the Spirit that empowered the church on the day of Pentecost can -- and should -- dynamically shape our reading of Scripture today. Keener considers what Spirit-guided interpretation means, explores implications of an epistemology of Word and Spirit for biblical hermeneutics, and shows how Scripture itself models an experiential appropriation of its message. Bridging the Word-Spirit gap between academic and experiential Christian approaches, Spirit Hermeneutics narrates a way of reading the Bible that is faithful both to the Spirit-inspired biblical text and the experience of the Spirit among believers. -- from book flap.