Wipf & Stock Studies in Pentecostalism Upgrade (5 vols.)

This is a distinctive book for people who are intellectually curious about African Pentecostal theology. It provides thick descriptions of the major themes, motifs, moral visions, and trends of African Pentecostal Christianity.

—Nimi Wariboko, Katherine B. Stuart Professor of Christian Ethics, Andover Newton Theological School

The Christian community is witnessing a tremendous growth of Christianity in Africa, a continent which was once a mission field. This book is an attempt to throw more light on African Pentecostalism, which is the climax of the Christian growth in Africa. It is a very good tool for scholars who want to increase their knowledge and understanding of African Pentecostalism.

—Opoku Onyinah, chairman, Church of Pentecost

The spread of Pentecostalism has become a global phenomenon. Despite some similarities in the Pentecostal Christian community, there are peculiar theologies from one continent to another. This book informs readers about some key theological topics, the mode of formulating theologies, and the undercurrent forces that influence the formulation and articulation of Pentecostal theology in Africa. The book is a door to Pentecostalism in Africa and a step to understanding African Christianity.

—Thomas A. Oduro, president, Good News Theological College and Seminary, Accra, Ghana

In this remarkable book Jay Beaman and Brian Pipkin demonstrate that the rejection of war was central to many early Holiness and Pentecostal Christians. This book will challenge the complacency of many of their heirs and remind us that nonviolence is the common heritage of many so-called evangelicals in the United States and around the world.

—William Kostlevy, associate professor of history and political science, Tabor College

Reading this book will remind Pentecostals of their spiritual ancestors and what they did in favor of peace and justice, and it will remind non-Pentecostals that the stereotypes of ‘social strike’ and ‘refuge of the masses’ do not always adequately describe the life and mission of all Pentecostal believers and churches around the world.

—Darío López Rodríguez, Gamaliel Biblical Seminary of the Church of God

Being a conscientious objector to war and violence doesn’t mean you are part of a unique community or an exclusive club, and CO is not simply the domain of the historic peace churches. Politics and other earthly pressures aside, being a CO to war and violence is what it means to be human. Thanks to Jay and Brian for this poignant reminder.

—Maria Santelli, Center on Conscience & War

The title, Pentecost and Parousia, makes clear that Peter Hocken does not see the ecumenical movement as being just about our efforts to bring about doctrinal agreement or institutional change. Rather it is a matter of recognizing and being faithful to the grace that has been given and looking forward together to the fulfillment of God’s purposes. This is a perspective with which we need to engage.

—Kevin McDonald, archbishop, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales

The Church lives a new time. The arrival of Francis, his gestures and actions, are a breath of the spirit. This book by Peter Hocken is prophetic because it was written before the election of the new pope. The unity of the church will be the work of the Holy Spirit, and Pentecost and Parousia bears witness to this.

—Norberto Saracco, rector, FIET (International Foundation of Theological Schools)

Peter Hocken, drawing on his theological, pastoral, and practical experience, considers the effects of the Pentecostal-charismatic outpouring of the spirit on Christian unity and on the ecclesiology and witness of the whole church. He combines an analytical with a prophetic approach, acknowledging important events in recent church history but recognizing that the work for unity is a spiritual battle leading to a full ecumenism of the spirit as we await the Lord’s return. Highly recommended.

—Charles Whitehead, former president, International Catholic Charismatic Renewal

Torr’s study arises from his own experience of grief in seemingly unanswered prayer. He convincingly proposes the biblical performance of lamenting with the aid of the Spirit while waiting for eschatological relief. I commend this book warmly to all those seeking answers to the real challenges of suffering and pain.

—Allan Heaton Anderson, professor of mission and Pentecostal studies, University of Birmingham

Stephen Torr has written a rich, thoughtful, and critical exposition on the reality of suffering in the vista of faith. . . . This will be an important study for those in Pentecostal traditions; beyond that it merits the close attention of the wider community of faith as a contribution to our thinking about the problem of evil in the context of actual church practice.

—Walter Brueggemann, professor emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary

Stephen Torr has provided an insightful account of how those working from within the Pentecostal and charismatic traditions might approach the problem of evil and suffering. His position, especially his advocacy of the genre of lament within a theo-dramatic approach, deserves to be widely read. It makes an original contribution to theological scholarship and assists the church in its pastoral practice.

—Mark J. Cartledge, director of the Centre for Pentecostal & Charismatic Studies, University of Birmingham