Renewal Theology The Church The Kingdom And Last Things

A systematic theology for charismatic Christians. This volume discusses the nature and function of the Church, its various ministries, the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper, the relationship between the Church and civil government, God's kingdom, Christ's return, the last Judgment, and the consummation of all things. The third and final volume of the series.

Renewal Theology deals with the full range of Christian truth from within the charismatic tradition. Previously published as three separate volumes, Renewal Theology represents the first exhaustive, balanced articulation of charismatic theology. Renewal Theology discusses: Book One--God, the World, and Redemption - Book Two--Salvation, the Holy Spirit, and Christian Living - Book Three--The Church, the Kingdom, and Last Things. As theology, this work is an intellectual achievement. But it is much more than that. The author urges the church to undertake its task of theology in the proper spirit: - an attitude of prayer - a deepening sense of reverence - an ever-increasing purity of heart - a spirit of growing love - a theological approach rooted in the glory of God. Done in such a spirit, theology becomes a faithful and powerful witness to the living God.

In The Last Things Donald G. Bloesch takes up difficult and sometimes controversial themes such as the coming of the kingdom of God, the return of Jesus Christ, the life hereafter, the millennial hope, the final judgment, hell, heaven, purgatory and paradise. Wrestling with biblical texts that often take metaphorical form, Bloesch avoids rationalistic reductionism as well as timid agnosticism. While he acknowledges mystery and even paradox, Bloesch finds biblical revelation much more than sufficient to illuminate the central truths of a Christian hope articulated throughout the history of the church. The Last Things is not just a review of past Christian eschatology but a fresh articulation of the grace and glory of God yet to be consummated. The triumph of the grace of Jesus Christ and the dawning of hope beckon us to reach out in the power of the Spirit to receive that blessed future and the promise to renew the life of the church universal today.

Are apostles amongst us today? According to a growing section of the church, the answer is yes. This book investigates and appraises that idea seeking answers to the following questions in the context of the church in the USA and particularly Britain: Is there a robust scriptural justification for the charismatic apostolate (CA) that most charismatic groups are proclaiming? How widespread is this belief and why has it become more commonplace? What kind of apostles are being advocated by influential popular teachers? What does church history and tradition have to offer to this idea? Is there a way to endorse and embrace ecumenically the CA? Does the CA have a future in the universal church? These are important questions to answer for the sake of the church's mission and health.

Growing out of the need to articulate an eschatology that is consistent with the theological beliefs, spiritual experience, and hermeneutical insights of the Pentecostal movement, this volume applies an interdisciplinary approach to the subject, integrating historical, biblical, and theological studies. After providing a comprehensive review of the current state of Pentecostal eschatology, the study explores the periodical literature of the earliest years of the movement, understanding this period to be the heart or originating source of the tradition. Drawing upon insights gained from this exploration, the boundaries for discerning a contemporary Pentecostal eschatology are established and a constructive, biblical-theological contribution to this subject is offered, focused upon a fresh reading of Revelation 21–22 and framed around the narrative testimony of the fivefold gospel that emerges from the heart of the tradition.

Renewal Theology: Salvation, the Holy Spirit, and Christian Living is the second volume in Part 2 of the Great Themes of the Book series -- and a great book on its own. Renewal Theology deals with the full range of Christian truth from within the charismatic tradition. It is an expression of theological revitalization. As a theology, this work is an intellectual achievement, but it is much more than that. The author is concerned for heart in the church's task of theology: the task of theology requires that everything be done in an attitude of prayer; there must be a deepening sense of reverence; there must be an ever-increasing purity of heart; theology must be done in a spirit of growing love; al lwork in theology must be done for the glory of God. - Publisher.

“Larry Hart’s Truth Aflame brings together charismatic renewal and classic evangelical faith better than anything I have read. An important contribution to the contemporary renaissance in systematic theology!” Timothy George Dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, Executive Editor of Christianity Today As the Pentecostal/charismatic movement continues to grow, so does the need for solid theological resources for its members. While there are many volumes of systematic theology available, very few are written from a distinctly charismatic perspective. Truth Aflame seeks to meet that need. While academically sound, Truth Aflame is written with a practical, pastoral flavor. Larry Hart defines systematic theology as the process of taking what the Bible teaches and relating it to contemporary questions and knowledge. His passion for the subject is evident: he is concerned that the reader both grasps the magnificence of the study of God and allows these great truths to be transformative. This Truth, then—liberating, enlivening, and transforming Truth—becomes central to the ongoing renewal of the church that we are seeing in our day. Dr. Hart treats each of the traditional categories—revelation, God, creation, humanity, sin, Christ, salvation, the church, and last things—from a Pentecostal/charismatic perspective. He addresses other theological viewpoints but does not get bogged down in analysis and rebuttal. Further, he seeks to build bridges of understanding to those evangelicals outside the charismatic tradition. Clear, succinct, and readable, this revised and updated edition of Truth Aflame is well-suited not only for students, but for anyone desiring a greater understanding of Pentecostal/charismatic theology.

We live in a challenging cultural moment; there are reasons for great alarm and concern in society around us and it’s easy to lose heart. Yet the Christian hope of the last things, so wonderfully disclosed in the Scriptures and so certainly embodied in our risen Savior, is a beacon of beauty and glory shining on our way as we traverse the ugly and the gloomy. In this book, you will encounter encouraging messages that address the end times from a variety of perspectives (exegetically, topically, historically, and experientially). Contributors include Michael P. V. Barrett, David Strain, Daniel Timmer, David P. Murray, Derek W. H. Thomas, Greg Salazar, Adriaan C. Neele, William VanDoodewaard, Joel R. Beeke, and Gerald Bilkes. Contents: Scriptural Studies 1.The Day of the Lord: Escaping the Inescapable (Zephaniah 1–2) —Michael P. V. Barrett 2. The Number of the Sealed (Revelation 7) —David Strain 3. The Last Battle (Revelation 19:11—20:15) —David Strain 4. Beauty and Glory in Revelation 21 and 22 —Daniel Timmer Topical Studies 5. The Signs of the Times —David P. Murray 6. Heaven —Derek W. H. Thomas 7. Jesus Believed in Hell: The Christian’s Modern Dilemma —Derek W. H. Thomas Historical Studies 8. The Beauty and Glory of the Puritan Millennium —Greg Salazar 9. Jonathan Edwards: Surprised by the Beauty and Glory of God —Adriaan C. Neele 10. Thomas Boston and the Kingdom of Heaven —William VanDoodewaard Experiential Studies 11. The Marriage of Christ and His Church (Revelation 19:7–9) —Joel R. Beeke 12. The Final Victory (1 Corinthians 15) —Gerald M. Bilkes