I have been in school for the last 5 years (2005-2010) earning my B.A. in Biblical studies and a Master's in Religious Education. Since I had received my A.A. in Urban Ministries in 1998, I had to go back and first finish my B.A. and then move onto my Master's. This task has gotten harder over the years as Metro Praise has grown and become more active in reaching the world for Jesus.
When I first earned my A.A. at the New Orleans School of Urban Missions, I took all the "fun classes," i.e., "Pastoral Ministries, Evangelism, Pneumatology (Study of the Holy Spirit), and many more." However, when I went back to Global University to earn my B.A. I had to mostly take my general studies and individual book classes, i.e., "Business Math, Health, The Gospel of John, etc."
Then when I went to earn my Master's I had to find a seminary that worked best for my schedule, so after only taking four classes at The Assembly of God Seminary, I felt led to join Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Thus, for the last 2+ years I have been taking classes in a "spirit-lite" environment.
I write all of this to say, for the first time since 1998 I am now able as a student to write a paper on what matters most to me, the Holy Spirit. Yes, Liberty Baptist has given me the option of choosing the subject, "Is Speaking in Tongues for Today?" as a Theology 2 research paper! Needless to say I am super pumped and very excited!
The professor required that we have around 20 sources for this paper and to write it around 6,000 words in length. Therefore, I took the opportunity to go to Amazon and with the help of my mentor Pastor Anthony Freeman, I bought the best books on the subject. I felt like a "kid in a candy shop!" Literally, I bought 17 new books on the subject.
Thus, I wanted to post them on this blog so that those who desire to study this subject can see the following truths:
(a) Speaking in tongues is just as Biblical as salvation by grace and Jesus' second coming,
(b) The Spirit-filled/speaking in tongues/spiritual gifted lifestyle is historically accurate from the days of the apostles to today,
(c) Lastly, Pentecostal/Charismatic theology has grown "leaps and bounds" over the years and the research is amazingly supportive for our cherished practice and spiritual empowerment.
Therefore, I wanted to share these resources for those who wish to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the subject. I have listed them with a simple description next to them, so you can know their strengths.
The List:
1. Bartleman, Frank. Azusa Street. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2000.
When I first earned my A.A. at the New Orleans School of Urban Missions, I took all the "fun classes," i.e., "Pastoral Ministries, Evangelism, Pneumatology (Study of the Holy Spirit), and many more." However, when I went back to Global University to earn my B.A. I had to mostly take my general studies and individual book classes, i.e., "Business Math, Health, The Gospel of John, etc."
Then when I went to earn my Master's I had to find a seminary that worked best for my schedule, so after only taking four classes at The Assembly of God Seminary, I felt led to join Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Thus, for the last 2+ years I have been taking classes in a "spirit-lite" environment.
I write all of this to say, for the first time since 1998 I am now able as a student to write a paper on what matters most to me, the Holy Spirit. Yes, Liberty Baptist has given me the option of choosing the subject, "Is Speaking in Tongues for Today?" as a Theology 2 research paper! Needless to say I am super pumped and very excited!
The professor required that we have around 20 sources for this paper and to write it around 6,000 words in length. Therefore, I took the opportunity to go to Amazon and with the help of my mentor Pastor Anthony Freeman, I bought the best books on the subject. I felt like a "kid in a candy shop!" Literally, I bought 17 new books on the subject.
Thus, I wanted to post them on this blog so that those who desire to study this subject can see the following truths:
(a) Speaking in tongues is just as Biblical as salvation by grace and Jesus' second coming,
(b) The Spirit-filled/speaking in tongues/spiritual gifted lifestyle is historically accurate from the days of the apostles to today,
(c) Lastly, Pentecostal/Charismatic theology has grown "leaps and bounds" over the years and the research is amazingly supportive for our cherished practice and spiritual empowerment.
Therefore, I wanted to share these resources for those who wish to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the subject. I have listed them with a simple description next to them, so you can know their strengths.
The List:
1. Bartleman, Frank. Azusa Street. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2000.
Great book that tells the story of the "rebirth" of Pentecost in America.
2. Colle, Ralph Del, H. Ray Dunning, Larry Hart, Stanley M. Horton, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr. Perspectives on Spirit Baptism. Nashville, Tenn.: B&H Academic, 2004.
Has five views of "Spirit Baptism" from the best of those who hold those positions and contains their best arguments against the other positions.
3. Ervin, Howard M. Spirit Baptism: A Biblical Investigation. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1987.
Great book in which Ervin responds to a non-spirit-filled theologian named Dr. James Dunn and his writings against speaking in tongues.
4. Fee, Gordon D. Listening to the Spirit in the Text. Vancouver, B.C.: Regent College Pub, 2000.
Teaches how to hear what the Holy Spirit is teaching in the Scriptures.
5. Fee, Gordon D. Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999.
Teaches the way people in the New Testament looked at the Holy Spirit's work.
6. Fee, Gordon. The First Epistle to the Corinthians (The New International Commentary on the New Testament). Grand Rapids, Michigan.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1987.
A commentary on 1 Corinthians in support of the gifts of the Spirit in use in today's church.
7. Horton, Stanley M. What the Bible Says About the Holy Spirit. Revised ed. Springfield, Mo.: Gospel Publishing House, 2005.
Solid work on the Holy Spirit, covers much of the basics.
8. Hyatt, Eddie L. 2000 Years Of Charismatic Christianity. Lake Mary, Fla.: Charisma House, 2002.
A must for all Spirit-filled believers, this book does a great job of tracing the roots of spiritual gifts throughout every church age!
9. Maas, Ed van der. New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, The. Rev Exp ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2002.
A beautiful book tracing all the growth of the fastest growing religion in the world, the Spirit-filled believers! Over 500 million and counting!
10. Macchia, Frank D. Baptized in the Spirit: A Global Pentecostal Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006.
Another great book covering the basics in a very academic format!
11. Menzies, Robert P., and William W. Menzies. Spirit and Power: Foundations of Pentecostal Experience. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2000.
This books answers many of today's common objections and questions, great for truth seekers!
12. Oss, Doug. Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Four Views. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1996.
This book offers four main views from the authors who believe them and leaves the decision up to you the reader.
13. Smith, James K. A., and Amos Yong, eds. Science and the Spirit: A Pentecostal Engagement with the Sciences. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2010.
Cutting edge research into how the Pentecostals can relate their spiritual experiences in a secular naturalist society without being "weird" or "unintelligent."
14. Stronstad, Roger. The Charismatic Theology of St. Luke. Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1984.
The best on how to interpret Acts and Luke from the truest sense.
15. Synan, Vinson. Century Of The Holy Spirit 100 Years Of Pentecostal And Charismatic Renewal, 1901-2001. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2001.
A great book to encourage the reader on what God has done through Spirit-filled believers around the world!
16. Vondey, Wolfgang. Beyond Pentecostalism: The Crisis of Global Christianity and the Renewal of the Theological Agenda (Pentecostal Manifestos). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2010.
Another "cutting edge" look at Pentecostalism in the modern era, very bright and super informative.
17. Yong, Amos. The Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh: Pentecostalism and the Possibility of Global Theology. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2005.
One word, "deep."
