“Yong’s work brilliantly articulates what the world of Christian theology is fast becoming: the dawning reality that the ‘regions beyond’ have become the new center of Christianity. Renewing Christian Theology is a twenty-first-century expression of what it means to have ‘good news for all people!’ ” —Byron D. Klaus, President, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary “This remarkable book introduces and creatively reconstructs a Pentecostal summa in sympathetic and critical dialogue with the best of Christian heritage. No one interested in Pentecostal and Renewal movements can ignore this work.” —Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, Professor of Systematic Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary and Docent of Ecumenics, University of Helsinki “Yong reprioritizes the order of classic theological reasoning, beginning with eschatology, in order to emphasize Christ-centered and Spirit-empowered Christianity.” —Don Thorsen, Professor of Theology, Azusa Pacific University “Here at last is a vibrant theological text that systematically addresses the big intellectual challenges confronting twenty-first-century Pentecostals and charismatics. Every chapter bursts with constructive ideas, bringing biblical exposition and theological themes to bear on the doctrinal statements that define the Church’s long renewal.” —William K. Kay, Professor of Pentecostal Studies, University of Chester “Amos Yong delivers a forward-looking and pneumatologically grounded systematics of Renewal demonstrating its contribution to the wider theological academy and the global church.” —Sammy Alfaro, Assistant Professor of Theology, Grand Canyon University “No doubt this book will be a landmark work in Renewal Theology and spark a spirited conversation about the role of Pentecostal theology in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.” —Peter C. Phan, The Ignacio Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought, Georgetown University Renewing Christian Theology Systematics for a Global Christianity AMOS YONG with artistic images and commentary by JONATHAN A. ANDERSON BAYLOR UNIVERSITY PRESS © 2014 by Baylor University Press Waco, Texas 76798-7363 All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of Baylor University Press. Scripture quotations, where not an author’s own translation, are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Cover Design by Nicole Holmes, Zeal Design Studio Cover Image: Sadao Watanabe (Japanese, 1913–1996), Oikoumene, 1991, traditional Japanese colors on washi paper. Courtesy of Tatsuo Watanabe. Select public domain images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, http://commons.wikimedia.org / Eitan f. (fig. 6.2), IT1315922 (fig. 6.3), Gunnar Bach Pedersen (fig. 9.1), Sitiens lucem (fig. 9.4), Marie-Lan Nguyen (fig. 12.2), and Caroline Léna Becker (fig. 12.4). Book Design by Diane Smith eISBN: 978-1-4813-0309-5 (e-Pub) eISBN: 978-1-4813-0310-1 (Mobi/Kindle) This E-book was converted from the original source file by a third-party vendor. Readers who encounter any issues with formatting, text, linking, or readability are encouraged to notify the publisher at [email protected]. Some font characters may not display on all e-readers. To inquire about permission to use selections from this text, please contact Baylor University Press, One Bear Place, #97363, Waco, Texas 76798. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Yong, Amos. Renewing Christian theology : systematics for a global Christianity / Amos Yong; with artistic images and commentary by Jonathan A. Anderson. 477 pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-60258-761-8 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Assemblies of God--Doctrines. 2. Pentecostal churches--Doctrines. 3. Theology, Doctrinal. 4. Pentecostalism. I. Title. BX8765.5.Z5Y66 2014 230’.994--dc23 2013049573 To our colleagues in the Biola University Art Department and in the Regent University School of Divinity for your friendship, laughter, prayers, and common labor that is the outworking of a Spirit-filled life of the mind we all desire, for the sake of the gospel, in anticipation of the coming reign of God ~ 1 Corinthians 13:12 ~ ~ 1 John 3:2 ~ ~ Romans 11:33-36 ~ Contents Figures and Permissions Acknowledgments Preface 1 Introduction Renewing Christian Theology—The Contemporary Task in Global Context 2 The Last Days and the End of Time Christian Hope Then and Now 3 The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Christian Ministry and the Mission of God 4 The Baptism in the Holy Spirit A Salvation-Historical Perspective 5 Sanctification and Holiness In the World but Not of It 6 Ordinances and Sacraments Practicing the Christian Life 7 The Church and Its Mission The Spirit of the Reconciling God 8 Divine Healing Salvation of the Body and Redemption of the World 9 Salvation in Christ through the Spirit An Eschatological Soteriology 10 Creation and Fall Natural History and the Redemptive Ends of God 11 The Eternal Godhead The Mystery of the Triune God in a World of Many Faiths 12 The Spirit-Inspired Scriptures Biblical Authority and Theological Methods for Us and Our Salvation Epilogue Appendix 1 The World Assemblies of God Fellowship Statement of Faith Appendix 2 Early Ecumenical Creeds Glossary References Scripture Index Index of Names Subject Index Expanded Table of Contents Figures and Permissions Acknowledgments Preface 1 Introduction Renewing Christian Theology—The Contemporary Task in Global Context 1.1 World Christianity: An Overview 1.2 Christian Theology: One Faith—Changing Contexts and Forms 1.3 Renewed and Always Renewing: A Way Forward for Christian Theology 1.4 An Overview and Road Map for the Book 2 The Last Days and the End of Time Christian Hope Then and Now 2.1 Paul the Apocalyptic Apostle 2.2 What and When? Contextual Considerations 2.2.1 Millennialism: Historical Developments 2.2.2 Final-State Eschatologies: Disputed Possibilities 2.2.3 Contemporary Challenges in Global Context 2.3 Apostolic Anticipations: Lukan Eschatology 2.4 Christian Hope Today and Tomorrow 3 The Gifts of the Holy Spirit Christian Ministry and the Mission of God 3.1 Elizabeth as Prototype of the Spirit-Filled Life 3.2 The Spiritual Gifts: Historical Considerations 3.2.1 Patristic and Medieval Developments 3.2.2 Reformation and Early Modern Disputes 3.2.3 Global “Charismania”!? 3.3 Pauline Charismology: A Dialogue with the Corinthians 3.4 Surprised by the Holy Spirit! 4 The Baptism in the Holy Spirit A Salvation-Historical Perspective 4.1 Peter’s Journey in the Spirit 4.2 Spirit Baptism: Quests for Understanding 4.2.1 The Puritan and Reformed Quest for Assurance 4.2.2 The Wesleyan-Holiness Search for Perfection 4.2.3 Signs and Interpretation: Spirit Baptism in Ecumenical and Global Contexts 4.3 Apostolic Fragments: The Many Tongues of Acts 4.4 Be Filled with the Spirit! 5 Sanctification and Holiness In the World but Not of It 5.1 Mary: Set Apart by the Spirit 5.2 Christian Perfection: Historical Trajectories 5.2.1 The Quest for Perfection in the Christian Tradition 5.2.2 Perfect Love in the Wesleyan-Holiness Movement 5.2.3 Sanctification in Ecumenical and Global Perspective 5.3 Johannine Sectarianism—and Sanctification 5.4 Be Holy and Being Made Holy! 6 Ordinances and Sacraments Practicing the Christian Life 6.1 John the Baptist: In Water—and the Spirit? 6.2 The Great Tradition and Its Sacramental Tributaries 6.2.1 Christian Initiation and Baptism 6.2.2 The Eucharist/Supper as Sacrament and/or Ordinance? 6.2.3 Renouncing the Devil: Deliverance and Discernment 6.3 The “Sacramentalism” of the Fourth Gospel 6.4 Repent, Renounce, Be Baptized, Eat, and Drink: Practicing the Christian Life 7 The Church and Its Mission The Spirit of the Reconciling God 7.1 Stephen’s Eschatological Vision of the People of God 7.2 Contestations among/about the People of God 7.2.1 Israel and the Church: Whence the Temple of the Spirit? 7.2.2 Reformist, Restorationist, Renewalist: What Body of Christ? 7.2.3 Between Israel and the Reign of God: Whither Global Christianities? 7.3 An Ephesian Ecclesiology