How are Canadian Pentecostal Clergy Changing?

Together with Dr. Adam Stewart (Crandall University) and Kevin Shanahan (Environics Research), I recently published a journal article called “Changes in Clergy Belief and Practice in Canada’s Largest Pentecostal Denomination.” You can download the article here. Most readers will be most interested in the second part of the article, which discusses overall changes over the […]

The Significance of the Holy Spirit at Christmas

And What it says about Jesus' and Our Identity

The Spirit is central to who Christ is and what he did. This shapes our understanding of both Jesus’ identity and our identity as Christians.

Spirit Baptism in Current Pentecostal Theology: Part 2 – Amos Yong

Spirit baptism Amos yong

Contemporary Pentecostal systematic theologians are discussing Spirit baptism in ways that include, but go beyond, traditional Pentecostal emphases. Amos Yong, who holds ministry credentials with the Assemblies of God (USA), is arguably the most prolific Pentecostal theologian today.

Advent Candle Readings for Families with Children

Advent

When we bought the wreath, I wasn’t too sure what to do with it, since I come from a church tradition that doesn’t typically incorporate this into its services. I searched for advent readings, but I was frustrated to find that nothing seemed appropriate for my family, which includes children. You can download […]

Spirit Baptism in Current Pentecostal Theology: Part 1 – Frank Macchia

Macchia Baptized Spirit

Contemporary Pentecostal systematic theologians are discussing Spirit baptism in a way that includes, but goes beyond, traditional Pentecostal emphases. Pentecostal’s have historically emphasized that any believer can be baptized in the Spirit and that […]

Shouldn’t Faith Always Result in Healing?

(Including a list of some books on a theology of suffering)

faith healing suffering

Some people argue that “the New Testament always shows healing and never shows someone asking for healing and leaving still sick.” The Bible, however, includes examples of people who were not healed. Paul himself was not always healed. Paul himself was not always healed. He reminds the Galatians that “it was because of an illness […]

The Gifts of the Spirit are not Limited to Charismatics [Video]

Charismatic gifts

I finished an essay on Charismatic Perspectives on pneumatology. Here are a few reflections.

Halloween, Tattoos, Yoga, and Alcohol: When Christians Disagree

Halloween Christians

Not every Christian thinks the same way about Halloween. And Christians appeal to different biblical texts to support their view. Since everyone quotes the Bible, everyone thinks they are right. What are we to do in such situations?[…]

3 Reasons to Fast

Moving to a Selfless Understanding of Fasting

fasting

Much of our understanding of fasting is based on tradition (namely – we fast to gain some benefit, like an answered prayer). The selfless biblical understanding of fasting, however, seems to be completely lost. I don’t know for sure, but perhaps we’re in this position, at least in part, because we seem to ignore this act of piety […]

The Main Thing that Concerns Me about Joel Osteen’s Theology

Joel Osteen declare

I recognize that Joel Osteen is a great communicator (even Forbes does), and there are numerous things I appreciate about him and his ministry. Nevertheless, there is a repetitive theme in his ministry that I find troubling. And it is particularly troubling given the millions of people who listen to his sermons and assume that […]