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.
Category Archives: Theology Discussion
Spirit Baptism in Current Pentecostal Theology: Part 2 – 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.
Spirit Baptism in Current Pentecostal Theology: Part 1 – Frank Macchia
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)
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 Main Thing that Concerns Me about Joel Osteen’s Theology
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 […]
The Holy Spirit is not a “He”
I cringed as I sat there listening to the preacher. The preacher declared, “The Spirit is a ‘him’, and ‘he’ lives in you.” And on account of this he boldly proclaimed to the congregation, “The Holy Spirit is a ‘he,’ not an ‘it.’ Therefore the Holy Spirit is personal.” The preacher was both right and wrong […]
What it Really Means to be BAPTIZED IN FIRE
I’m not talking about “fire tunnels,” where people walk in between two lines of people who place their hands on them and pray for them. Instead, I’m talking about when John the Baptist says Jesus “will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16). What does this mean?
3 Ways the Holy Spirit Works Among Non-Christians
Many Christians have the incorrect (dare I use the H word?) idea that the Holy Spirit only works in Christians. Even worse, some Pentecostals would say you don’t “have the Spirit” unless you have spoken in tongues.
Why do PENTECOSTALS care so much about SPIRIT BAPTISM?
Sometimes I think Pentecostals should just give up on talking about Spirit baptism. Students are either confused or crying in my office because they want to experience it, but haven’t.
What Questions do you (or Others) Have About the Holy Spirit?
I am writing a series on my blog called called “Questions People Ask about the Holy Spirit” (#HSQuestions). You can see current posts in the series here. Can you help me out by submitting your questions below? Thanks! (Feel free to share a link to this form with other people as well!)