DOCSLIB.ORG

Christology in the Book of Revelation

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Christology in the Book of Revelation THE PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY A CONTRAST IN MISSION: A PENTECOSTAL CONVERSATION WITH DOMINION THEOLOGY: A SENIOR PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF DIVINITY BY STEVEN S. SPEARS MAY 2012 A Contrast in Mission: A Pentecostal Conversation with Dominion Theology Accepted by the Examining Committee: Steven J. Land, President Date Sang-Ehil Han, Vice President for Academics Date Oliver McMahan, Vice President for Ministry Formation Date John Christopher Thomas, Academic Advisor/Reader Date iii COPYING AGREEMENT The physical format of this project is approved and accepted for copy and deposit in the seminary library: Office of the Librarian Date Permission for copy granted if accepted for deposit. Any other revision or use would have to be approved by the writer. Steven S. Spears iv ABSTRACT This study by Steven S. Spears entitled, “A Contrast in Mission: A Pentecostal Conversation with Dominion Theology,” represents an attempt to show how one’s theology of God will profoundly affect one’s understanding of mission. This is done through three related project parameters of personal story, evaluation of Christian Reconstructionism and its influence on current political trends, and biblical analysis. The project concludes with a visionary statement of future development and ministry. In the formative years of the writer’s ministry, Dominion Theology was introduced in the church he attended. The devastating effect of this theology along with the moral failure of one of the church’s leaders resulted in the church’s decline and loss of influence in the community. The writer attempts to demonstrate how Dominion Theology is one of the driving forces behind the current Christian political activism of the day. He argues that this is detrimental to the Church’s witness and offers an alternative vision to carry out mission. The theology of mission the author proposes is derived from a careful reading of Revelation chapter 5 as well as the integration of other biblical texts. This is not speculative or based on presuppositions, but is an attempt to be faithful to what can be discerned by a careful reading of the biblical narrative. The last section of this project offers a vision for ministry that is intentional about putting into practice the implications derived from the entirety of this project. v I dedicate this project to my wife, Darlene. She has been by my side from the beginning. We stand together as full partners in ministry and life. Her commitment to see that I reach my educational goals is a clear indication of her love and devotion. vi PREFACE My journey at Pentecostal Theological Seminary has taken many twists and turns. The hand of God is evident not only in my own personal transformation, but in the transformation I have witnessed in my own family. My young adult children, two of whom are seminarians, have been wonderful dialogue partners and have helped me develop my worldview. This project reflects the struggles and triumphs of my personal story which has caused me to view the way God deals with his people in new and creative ways. I want to thank Dr. Kim Alexander for her guidance and encouragement which actually began during my days at Lee University. After Dr. Alexander left the seminary to take a position at Regent University, Dr. Chris Thomas stepped in and graciously offered guidance as I completed my degree. Thank you Dr. Thomas for your guidance and encouragement and for the way you engage your students as equals. I especially would like to acknowledge all of the international students I have met during my time at the seminary. Their hard work and willingness to leave home and family have been great sources of inspiration for my journey. Special thanks go to my wife and family for putting up with me as I processed my theology, a little too strongly at times, in the safety of our home. You guys are the best! vii CONTENTS ABSTRACT……………………………….………………………….…….……..…v DEDICATION PAGE……………………………………………….…….……..…vi PREFACE………………………………………………………….……….…..…..vii Chapter 1. MY DOMINION DILEMMA………...………..…..………..….....1 Introduction My Story Seeds of Sanctification Dominion Now Moving Beyond the Conflict 2. TAKING DOMINION……………..……………………...…......24 Introduction Christian Reconstructionism How Did We Get Here? 3. ANSWERING THE DOMINION QUESTION……..……..……48 Introduction Messianic Expectations The Witness of the Lamb Final Implications 4. VISIONARY STATEMENT OF FUTURE DEVELOPMENT....77 Prayer Discipleship Becoming a Missional Church Leadership Development Conclusion BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………….….……93 viii CHAPTER 1 MY DOMINION DILEMMA There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8.1-2 NRSV Introduction What is the mission of the Church? What are the factors that inform the church’s mission? Is it tied in somehow with the mission of Ancient Israel? In what way is it to be in continuity with the mission of Jesus? What role does the Spirit have in guiding and empowering the people of God in mission? What is the extent of the mission? Is it universal, or does it vary according to cultural and historical contexts? How are we to understand the relationship between advancing the Kingdom of God and Church mission? If they are viewed as one and the same, is it a geo-political or spiritual kingdom/mission? Or is it both? Is the Church to take over the kingdoms and nations of the world and usher in God’s kingdom? Should the church stand back and idly watch history unfold? The weight of this line of questioning is easily discerned by the struggle the Church has had in identifying and carrying out its mission throughout history. Within the context of my life, these questions have a two-fold relevance. First, as a young and 1 maturing Christian in the 1980s and early 90s, I was confronted with the wave of neo- Reconstructionism1 that was sweeping through Charismatic and Evangelical Christianity. This project is an attempt to show that the undercurrents of this theology run deep within much of North American Evangelical Christianity today. In point of fact, at the time of this writing, the United States is in the midst of its 2012 presidential election. From the pool of presidential candidates, particularly among Republicans, it is evident that some segments of the Christian community has so entrenched itself within the U.S. political process that it is difficult to find any separation between the two. Second, Pentecostals are not immune to the attraction of power and influence offered by politics and Christian Reconstructionist thought.2 This project will serve as my personal reflection on the damage this trend is having on the witness of the church. Within this conversation with Dominionism, I desire to offer a Pentecostal theology of mission that is grounded in a hopeful eschatology similar to that of the Dominionists. It is my understanding that theology must be grounded in the biblical tradition and informed by the Spirit if it is to be Christian. It is not my intent to be overly critical of Dominion Theology or of those who adhere to it. I am not judging the motives of the heart or the salvation of anyone. My observations are more of a personal theological reflection than a scholarly debate, as called for within the parameters of this project. This chapter will outline my exposure and reaction to what is commonly known as Dominion Theology. My understanding of the Church’s mission is born out of my 1 Theonomy, Dominion Theology, Dominionism, Theocratic Dominionism, Kingdom Now Theology and Christian Reconstructionism will be used interchangeably throughout this project. They are interrelated belief systems with a common voice. While it would be wrong not to recognize that within these groups there are varying theological and methodological distinctives, for the purpose of this project, I will focus on what is common among them. 2 The October 2011 issue of Charisma Magazine headlines the rise of Pentecostal influence in U.S. politics. In this issue, Pentecostal and Charismatic leaders and organizations are highlighted for their various levels of political involvement including the candidacy for president. 2 academic pursuits, as well as my life journey, which includes my conversion to Christ and involvement with the church in a Pentecostal context. My theology has been formed through a lifelong learning process. The course of my life has been forged by dedicated church participation and academic pursuits that are deeply entrenched in Pentecostalism. I have been involved in the academy for sixteen of my thirty-three years as a born again believer. For the past eleven years, I have been connected with the Pentecostal Theological Seminary full or part-time. I adhere to a Wesleyan/Pentecostal ethos of theology and practice. Through this lens, the dual perspective of holiness and power undergird everything that would constitute how I believe faith should be lived out. There are certain fundamental truths that inform my worldview that are characteristic of a Wesleyan/Pentecostal hermeneutic. They are fundamental to my understanding of the nature of God, the nature of the Gospel, the nature of the Church, and the nature of ministry (mission). Along with offering my life story, I will further develop my perspective of church mission as an outflow of my understanding of the Church and Gospel informed by one’s concept of the nature and mission of God. My Story I was born in Denver, Colorado on March 13, 1960. My parents, Kent and Evelyn Spears, grew up in families that attended main-line denominational churches. It was not until after the birth of my younger sister, the fourth of five children, that my parents felt the need to start attending church again.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The One Thousand Year Reign of Christ
    Empowering People to Change the World The One Thousand Year Reign of Christ Steve Holt © Steve Holt | TheRoad.org The One Thousand Year Reign of Christ Prayer • All of us are called to pray: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” • Jesus wants us to request the kingdom on earth in our prayers. • We are longing for order, stability, joy and peace. But guess what church? It will not completely happen until Christ returns and Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire. • In chapter 20 we are gazing into the Kingdom Age, the 1000 year reign of Christ. o What is the kingdom of God? In the Greek it means “the rule and reign of Christ.” o This will be an earthly utopia in which God’s will, rule and reign comes from heaven to the earth. o This Kingdom Age is described as being for 1000 years and is mentioned 6 times. o The Latin phrase is “millennium.” The word millennium is not in the Bible. o The Greek word is chilia meaning, for 1000 years, and the church is divided on this issue. Three positions on this issue are held by reputable scholars on all sides of the issue: 1. The A-millennial position- this position does not believe that there will be a literal thousand year reign of Christ. © Steve Holt | TheRoad.org !2 a. They believe that this is completely a symbolic meaning for a long period of time. b. This view interprets Old Testament prophecies of a millennium as being fulfilled spiritually now in the church today.
    [Show full text]
  • A Theology of Creation Lived out in Christian Hymnody
    Concordia Seminary - Saint Louis Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation Concordia Seminary Scholarship 5-1-2014 A Theology of Creation Lived Out in Christian Hymnody Beth Hoeltke Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.csl.edu/phd Part of the Christianity Commons, Liturgy and Worship Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Hoeltke, Beth, "A Theology of Creation Lived Out in Christian Hymnody" (2014). Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation. 58. https://scholar.csl.edu/phd/58 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Concordia Seminary Scholarship at Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation by an authorized administrator of Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A THEOLOGY OF CREATION LIVED OUT IN CHRISTIAN HYMNODY A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Department of Doctrinal Theology in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Beth June Hoeltke May 2014 Approved by Dr. Charles Arand Advisor Dr. Kent Burreson Reader Dr. Erik Herrmann Reader © 2014 by Beth June Hoeltke. All rights reserved. Dedicated in loving memory of my parents William and June Hoeltke Life is Precious. Give it over to God, our Creator, and trust in Him alone. CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
    [Show full text]
  • 7 Anabaptist Environmental Ethics: a Review Essay
    Anabaptist Environmental Ethics: A Review Essay PETER DULA* Abstract: This article situates four decades of Anabaptist writing on environmental ethics in relationship to Laurel Kearns and Willis Jenkins’s typology of eco-justice, stewardship, and eco-spirituality. It argues that while stewardship discourse dominates the early work, it has faded in significance as Anabaptist theology increasingly appropriates varieties of eco-spirituality such as agrarianism and watershed discipleship. It concludes with a turn towards recent arguments that eco-theology, in all three varieties, has over-emphasized questions of cosmology and worldview at the expense of what Jenkins calls “prophetic pragmatism.” Evidence for anthropogenic climate change and its attendant dangers has mounted over the last several decades to the point where it is now undisputed in the scientific community. In spite of this consensus, large numbers of Christians in the U.S. remain unconvinced.1 Concern, and increasingly alarm, for this combined state of affairs—ecological crisis and vocal Christian denial—has generated a vast literature. University and seminary programs in religion and ecology or eco-theology now proliferate, as do professorships specializing in them. This literature is united by a sense of alarm at human degradation of the planet, a penitent awareness that the Christian church and Christian theology are complicit in that degradation, and a common concern to construct and recover theologically responsible ways to think and practice healthier relationships between God, humans, and the rest of creation. Yet while *Peter Dula is professor of religion and culture at Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. The research and writing of this essay was made possible through funding from the Center for Sustainable Climate Change and the encouragement of its director, Doug Graber Neufeld.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018-08-19 Sunday Bulletin
    August 19, 2018 Ferguson Avenue Baptist Church 10050 Ferguson Avenue v Savannah, Georgia 31406 Where Christ Is Exalted and the Fellowship Is Exciting Bob Dimmitt Pastor Announcements 912-398-4363 Wednesday Night [email protected] Hamburgers & Hot Dogs! Please sign the list in the hall if you are Tim Wade joining us for dinner on Wednesday night. Assoc. Pastor/ Homecoming! Youth 912-231-7199 Do you want us to invite anyone to our 50th Homecoming? Send names and addresses to [email protected] asap! [email protected] Tom Keller Ministry Opportunities Minister to • We need folks to help move kitchen items from the gym back to Senior Adults the kitchen on Tuesday, August 21, at 5:30 p.m. They'll be sorted 912-308-3767 already. [email protected] • We also need help in the sound booth, most immediately on the second Sundays of the month. Contact John Earl at 658-1920. Church Phone: • Finally, join Pat Beatty here at the church on Thursday, August 912-355-0949 23, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. to work on blankets for this year's [email protected] round of displaced students! www.fabchurch.com Evening Worship Time Beginning Sunday, September 2, Evening Worship will meet at 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions Morning Bible Study for Seniors concerning the Thursday, August 23, 10:00 a.m. message from Continued on p. 5 today, or are interested in This Week at FABC FABC Deacons obtaining Today Shawn Champion 433-0098 information about Coffee Fellowship 9:00 a.m.
    [Show full text]
  • The New Apostolic Reformation: the Critical Reflections of the Ecclesiology of Charles Peter Wagner
    HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies ISSN: (Online) 2072-8050, (Print) 0259-9422 Page 1 of 11 Original Research The New Apostolic Reformation: The critical reflections of the ecclesiology of Charles Peter Wagner Author: Charles Peter Wagner is a well-known missiologist and ecclesiologist of the latest era. He is 1 Kelebogile Resane the author, trainer and prayer warrior who founded the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) Affiliation: that seeks to establish a fourth house. The NAR is a heterodox movement in Protestant 1Department of Systematic Christianity sometimes known as the apostolic-prophetic movement, commonly associated Theology, Faculty of with both the Pentecostal and Charismatic churches worldwide since the beginnings of the Theology, University of the 1990s. Central to their theology is their locus of dogma that the task of the church, under the Free State, South Africa leadership of the apostles and prophets, is to take dominion of the earth within Christendom Corresponding author: (distinct from Catholicism, Protestantism and Orthodox Christianity). The ekklesia is the Kelebogile Resane, people of God, whether they are gathered in their congregations on Sunday as the nuclear [email protected] Church, or scattered in the workplace Monday through Saturday as the extended Church. Dates: The extended Church, just like the nuclear Church, is founded on apostles and prophets, Received: 03 Nov. 2015 but in the extended Church these are the different people who operate differently under Accepted: 05 May 2016 a different rule book. It is these extended church leaders who will be most effective Published: 12 Aug. 2016 in transforming society. Workplace apostles are called to take dominion in business, How to cite this article: government, arts and entertainment, media, family and education.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Background Theology
    A Synopsis of the Theological Systems Behind Current UK Church Streams How to see the wood for the trees in today’s evangelical mess. Paul Fahy 2 A Synopsis of the Theological Systems Behind Current UK Church Streams Contents Why is this important? Amyraldism Arminianism Calvinism / Reformed Theology Cessationism Charismatic Theology / Neo Pentecostalism Deeper Life / Higher Life / Victorious Life / Keswick Teachings Deliverance Theology Dominionism 1: Reconstructionism / Theonomy Dominionism 2: Charismatic Kingdom Theology Dispensationalism [Dispensational Premillennialism] Ecumenical Theology & Movements The Emerging Church Federal Vision Fullerism Hyper-Calvinism Humanism Jewish Roots Liberal Theology Modernism Mysticism / New Age New (or Neo) Evangelicalism Neo Orthodoxy [Dialectical Theology or The New Hermeneutic] The New Perspective on Paul / Justification / Judaism Oberlin Theology (Finneyism) / New Haven Theology / New Divinity Occult Theology / Paganism Open Theism Pentecostalism Perfectionism Psychoheresy Quietism Sacramentalism Seeker-sensitive Practices / Church Growth Movement Strategic Level Spiritual Warfare Theology / Territorial Spirits Universalism - No hell as future punishment Conclusion 3 Appendixes Appendix One: The Progress of Charismatic Error Appendix Two: The Jewish Roots Reaction to Extreme Charismaticism Appendix Three: The Eschatological Key to Current Charismatic Factions Appendix Four: The Diminishing of the authority of God’s Word Appendix Five: The Impact of the Mind Sciences Appendix Six: The Rise of
    [Show full text]
  • The Rise of the New Apostolic Reformation and Its Implication for Adventist Eschatology Trevor O'reggio Andrews University, [email protected]
    Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Faculty Publications Church History January 2012 The Rise of the New Apostolic Reformation and its Implication for Adventist Eschatology Trevor O'Reggio Andrews University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/church-history-pubs Part of the New Religious Movements Commons Recommended Citation O'Reggio, Trevor, "The Rise of the New Apostolic Reformation and its Implication for Adventist Eschatology" (2012). Faculty Publications. Paper 25. http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/church-history-pubs/25 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Church History at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 23/2 (2012):131-160. Article copyright © 2012 by Trevor O’Reggio. The Rise of the New Apostolic Reformation and Its Implications for Adventist Eschatology Trevor O’Reggio Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Andrews University Introduction There is a new religious movement emerging on the American religious landscape that, if successful, could have major ramifications for the nation and the Adventist view of eschatology. Almost five hundred years after the Protestant Reformation, this new religious movement calls itself the New Apostolic Reformation and is claiming to usher in the most significant changes in Protestantism since Martin Luther. The stated goal of the new movement is to eradicate denominations and form a unified church that will be victorious against evil. They have repudiated the “secret rapture” held by the majority of mainline Protestants.
    [Show full text]
  • CHRISTIAN RECONSTRUCTION 1 What It Is, What It Isn’T I CHRISTIAN RECONSTRUCTION
    t I CHRISTIAN RECONSTRUCTION 1 What It Is, What It Isn’t I CHRISTIAN RECONSTRUCTION What It Is, What It Isn’t Gary North and Gary DeMar Institute for Christian Economics Tyler, Texas Copyright, Gary North and Gary DeMar, 1991 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data North, Gary. Christian Reconstruction : what it is, what it isn’t / Gary North and Gary DeMar. P“ cm” Includes bibliographical references and indexes. ISBN 0-930464-52-4:$25.00 (alk. paper) -- ISBN 0-930464-53-2 (pbk.) :$8.95 (alk. paper) 1. Dominion theology. 2. Law (theology) 3. Christianity and politics -- Protestant churches. 4. Millennialism. 5. Jewish law. I. DeMar, Gary. II. Title BT82.25.N67 1991 231.7’6--dc2O 90-22956 CIP Institute for Christian Economi~ P. O. BOX 8000 Tyler, TX 75711 This book is dedicated to the memory of Cornelius Van Til whose expertise in epistemological demolitions created a new movement as a wholly unintended consequence. TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface, by Gary North . ..ix Introduction, by Gary DeMar . ...1 Part I: God’s Covenantal Kingdom by Gary North l. The Nature of God’sKingdom . 27 2. The Pietist-Humanist Kingdom . ...33 3. Humanism and Politics . .38 4. God and Government . ..44 5. The Myth of Neutrality . ...51 6. The Four Covenants of God. ...56 7. Postmillennialism’s ’’Faith in Man” . 62 8. Premillennialism's Faith in Bureaucracy . 66 9. The Pietist-Humanist Alliance. ...70 Conclusion, Part I . ...76 Part II: Questions Frequently Asked About Christian Reconstruction, by Gary DeMar 1. What Is Christian Reconstruction? . 81 2. Will Christians Bring in the Kingdom of God in History? .
    [Show full text]
  • Examining the Covenant Theology and Reconstructionism of SOME Reformed Theologians (2 Timothy 3:16-4:5; Romans 7:4, 6 with Galatians 3:24-25; Revelation 19-20)
    EXAMINING CONTESTED REFORMED THEOLOGY BELIEFS Part II: Examining The Covenant Theology And Reconstructionism Of SOME Reformed Theologians (2 Timothy 3:16-4:5; Romans 7:4, 6 with Galatians 3:24-25; Revelation 19-20) I. Introduction A. Some believers are being increasingly exposed to "Covenant Theology" and an offshoot of it in "Reconstructionism" [alias "Dominion Theology"] that calls them to take control of governments. B. With such teaching often comes a heavy emphasis on the Mosaic Law, and, as in Reconstructionism or Dominion Theology as some call it, there is a strong push for Christians to be under the Mosaic Law. C. We examine these products of some in "Reformed Theology" in light of Scripture teaching as follows: II. Examining The Covenant Theology And Reconstructionism Of SOME Reformed Theologians. A. "Reformed Theology" is a Protestant system of belief framed predominantly by John Calvin that contains a strong view of God's predestination of history, Augustus H. Strong, Systematic Theology, p. 45-46. B. Then, "Covenant Theology" grew out of "Reformed Theology," and we describe it as follows: 1. Johannes Cocceius, a reformed theologian of the 17th century, was concerned about the rift between strict predestinarian Calvinists and Arminians. He tried to take theology back to the Bible by setting forth views to soften Calvinism's view of people being predestined to believe the Gospel to promote a divine guidance of men unto faith in Christ, Ryrie, Dispensationalism Today, p. 180-181. 2. He thus claimed God set up a "covenant of works" for Adam to keep to have life, and, when he sinned, that God set up a second covenant, a "covenant of grace" to save men through Christ, Ibid., p.
    [Show full text]
  • Christian Reconstructionism and the Christian World Mission
    Messiah University Mosaic Bible & Religion Educator Scholarship Biblical and Religious Studies 10-1-1995 Christian Reconstructionism and the Christian World Mission Larry Poston [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/brs_ed Part of the Christianity Commons, and the Missions and World Christianity Commons Permanent URL: https://mosaic.messiah.edu/brs_ed/21 Recommended Citation Poston, Larry, "Christian Reconstructionism and the Christian World Mission" (1995). Bible & Religion Educator Scholarship. 21. https://mosaic.messiah.edu/brs_ed/21 Sharpening Intellect | Deepening Christian Faith | Inspiring Action Messiah University is a Christian university of the liberal and applied arts and sciences. Our mission is to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society. www.Messiah.edu One University Ave. | Mechanicsburg PA 17055 CHRISTIAN RECONSTRUCTIONISM AND THE CHRISTIAN WORLD MISSION Larry Poston, Institute for Muslim Studies Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois Controversy has been the hallmark of Christian Reconstructionism since its inception in the early 1960s. Although the movement claims no specific founder or central leader, most observers trace its original concepts to Rousas John Rushdoony, a California university professor who authored what has for many become the group's major working document, The Institutes of Biblical Law. Called by some "Theonomy" and by others "Dominion Theology," Reconstructionism is distinguished by the following beliefs: 1.Regeneration as humankind's only hope in both this age and the age to come, since social change must follow personal change, and personal change can only come through regeneration.
    [Show full text]
  • The Problem of “Kingdom Now” Theology Challenge – Part One
    E. Budiselić: The Problem of “Kingdom Now” Theology Challenge – part one The Problem of “Kingdom Now” Theology Challenge Part 1 Ervin Budiselić Biblijski institut, Zagreb [email protected] UDK:27-72;277;279.15 Original scientific paper Received: June, 2015 Accepted: September, 2015 Abstract The article analyzes basic teachings of Kingdom Now theology, which is one variation of Dominion theology. In the first part the article offers a brief hi- story of the emergence and development of Kingdom Now theology. After that the article offers a survey of basic teachings of Kingdom Now theology in the area of soteriology, eschatology, ecclesiology, Christology and anthropolo- gy. The conclusion is that Kingdom Now theology contains some positive and important teachings and emphases for contemporary Evangelical Christiani- ty, but also a number of problematic teachings that need to be rejected. Key terms: Kingdom Now theology, Dominion theology, Faith movement, Latter Rain, apostles, transformation. Introduction Today’s “Kingdom Now theology” (further in the text: KN), which represents one of the versions of “Dominion theology” (further in the text: DT) that is prevalent in a part of Evangelical Christianity (especially in the Pentecostal-Charismatic part), emerged as a result of various influences and theologies which are present in the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement, and is currently its pinnacle. Further- more, we can speak of a kind of eclecticness of KN, which took over some the- ological postulates and emphases from certain spiritual movements, and united them in one place as a sort of theological system. The intent of this article is to 143 KAIROS - Evangelical Journal of Theology / Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • Can a Sanctity-Of-Human-Life Ethnic Ground Christian Ecological Responsibility David P
    Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy Volume 23 Article 4 Issue 2 Symposium on the Environment 1-1-2012 Can a Sanctity-of-Human-Life Ethnic Ground Christian Ecological Responsibility David P. Gushee Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarship.law.nd.edu/ndjlepp Recommended Citation David P. Gushee, Can a Sanctity-of-Human-Life Ethnic Ground Christian Ecological Responsibility, 23 Notre Dame J.L. Ethics & Pub. Pol'y 471 (2009). Available at: http://scholarship.law.nd.edu/ndjlepp/vol23/iss2/4 This Speech is brought to you for free and open access by the Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy at NDLScholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Notre Dame Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy by an authorized administrator of NDLScholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. CAN A SANCTITY-OF-HUMAN-LIFE ETHIC GROUND CHRISTIAN ECOLOGICAL RESPONSIBILITYt DAVID P. GUSHEE* I. INTRODUCTION: FINDING A CENTRAL CHRISTIAN MORAL PARADIGM Every religious tradition known to humanity contains numerous ethical imperatives. These emerge from sacred sayings and texts and are elaborated through many years of theological-ethical development as an expression of the effort of faithful believers to live out the demands of the faith with integrity amidst changing historical circumstances. One aspect of a faith's theological-ethical tradition is usually an intra-scriptural or intra-traditional argument related to the ranking, ordering, or organizing of the faith's moral norms, paradigms, and teach- ings. This reflects a basic need of believers for guidance in sifting through the faith's many demands for clarity as to its most important requirements.
    [Show full text]