Promise of the Father: Healing the Christian Legacy of Segregation and Denominationalism

by J. R. Miller

Publisher:

Emerging Life

, 2008

Overview

Over the past hundred years, ambiguous teaching regarding baptism in the Holy Spirit has contributed to problems in the church today. Born out of his own experience in the Pentecostal and charismatic movements of the church, J. R. Miller’s Promise of the Father takes a critical look at the history of denominationalism, separates fact from fiction, and paves the way for healing the division in the church.

Key Features

• Includes a review of divisions among different denominations on the subject
• Presents guidance for healing and unity in the church
• Provides a scriptural understanding of what the baptism of the Holy Spirit means

Contents

• What is Baptism in the Holy Spirit?
• The Line of Division
• A Line Drawn in the Sand
• The Divide Set in Stone
• Summary of Modern Views on Baptism in the Holy Spirit
• The Challenge Ahead

Top Highlights

“The failure to experience the power of God as pictured in Acts led Pentecostals to emphasize tongues as an end in itself. As missionary after missionary failed to reach their goal, the binding force of the movement shifted away from Baptism in the Holy Spirit as the way to evangelize the world, to a simplistic focus upon tongues as a personal and unifying common experience. No longer were tongues heralded as the sign of the imminent return of Christ, but simply the sign of Baptism in the Holy Spirit and, the highest goal of every true Christian.¹¹³ Personal experience, not Scripture, became the foundation for shaping the Pentecostal theology.” (Page 76)

“It produced a faith devoid of emotion and afraid of feeling and immune to the working of God’s Holy Spirit. This rationalistic approach to life resulted in a very rigid and formulaic view of God; devoid of passion and compassion.” (Page 47)

“Ambiguous and man-centered teaching regarding Baptism in the Holy Spirit have over the past hundred years served to feed the problems we face and have lent to the decay of Christ’s Body.” (Page 1)

“This statement is nothing radically new in that all Pentecostal and Charismatic scholars of good repute agree that traditionally these movements have always lacked a biblical foundation.” (Page 10)

“were indicative of a second experience subsequent to but never segregated from salvation found in Christ Jesus” (Pages 20–21)

Product Details

• Title: Promise of the Father: Healing the Christian Legacy of Segregation and Denominationalism
• Author: J. R. Miller
• Publisher: Emerging Life
• Print Publication Date: 2008
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 142
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Baptism in the Holy Spirit › History; Pentecostal churches › United States--History; Church controversies
• ISBNs: 9781440465178, 1440465177
• Resource ID: LLS:PROMISEFATHER
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:24:51Z

About J. R. Miller

J. R. Miller earned his MDiv from Oral Roberts University and his DMin from Biola University. Miller is a pastor and church plant coach, and has written multiple books on church history, biblical theology, and team building. He is also an adjunct professor of practical theology and leadership.