A Clash Between Paideia and Pneuma? Ecstatic Women Prophets and Theological Education in the Second-century Church

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 32-53
Author(s):  
Josef Lössl
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Educational Level ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Church Leadership ◽  
Second Century ◽  
New Wave ◽  
Christian Leadership ◽  
Theological Discourse ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Women Prophets

The second half of the second century saw the development of a more hierarchical institutionalized church and of a theology of the Holy Spirit (Pneuma) reflecting this development. A driver of this development was a higher educational level among church leaders and Christians participating in theological discourse. In fact, ‘higher education’ (paideia) became a guiding value of Christian living, including for the study and interpretation of Scripture and for theology and church leadership. Yet the same period also saw a new wave of ‘inspired’, ‘pneumatic prophecy’, later known as ‘Montanism’, which was perceived as a threat in an increasingly institutionalized church and attacked and suppressed. This article sees a paradox here, and asks how Pneuma could be promoted as a source of Christian leadership under the banner of paideia, when the Spirit (Pneuma) at work in the ‘New Prophecy’ was perceived as such a threat. One area of investigation which may provide answers to this question is the controversial role women played both as educated participants in theological discourse and leading figures in the Montanist movement.

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit in the Latin Fathers

1954 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-132
Author(s):  
John H. S. Burleigh
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Second Century ◽  
Clearing House ◽  
The West ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Theological Controversy ◽  
Authentic Voice ◽  
Greek Migrants ◽  
Home Consumption

For the first two centuries of its existence Christianity was, even in the West, a Greek thing. Domitian might find Christian victims among members of the reigning family, but Tacitus could still regard the Christians of Rome as the off scourings of the eastern provinces. The language of the Roman Church was Greek throughout the second century A.D., the language of Bible, Creed and Worship. However Roman in feeling Clement might be his letter to the Corinthians was in Greek; and Hermas' Shepherd was meant for home consumption. During the century nearly all the leading Christians from the East appear to have visited Rome bringing their ideas as to a sort of clearing house; and towards the end of it Bishop Victor of Rome, a genuine Roman, had still to struggle with Theodotus the Tanner from Byzantium, and Blastus and Florinus from Asia. Under his successors Zephyrinus and Callistus theological controversy was still carried on in Greek, but their opponent Hippolytus seems to have been the last Greek-speaking Father of the Roman Church. Similarly in Gaul the Christians of Lyons and Vienne were Greek migrants from Asia, and their bishop, 180–200, Irenaeus, was a product of Asia, the authentic voice of Christian Ephesus.

It Seems Good to the Holy Spirit and to Us: The Ecclesial Vocation of the Pentecostal Scholar

Pneuma ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 167-184
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Gros
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Presidential Address ◽  
Second Century ◽  
Intellectual Life ◽  
People Of God ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Pentecostal Churches ◽  
Doctrine Of The Church ◽  
Renewal Movement

Abstract The members of the Society for Pentecostal Studies have made significant contributions to ecumenical reconciliation, to the promotion of the intellectual life in the Pentecostal and Charismatic communities, and to service to the classical Pentecostal churches in their development from a movement into mature churches in the community of Christians. For this leadership we are grateful. The Pentecostal scholar in whatever church has a calling to be of service to the whole people of God and to the churches in their task of preaching, handing on the faith and nurturing the faithful. This Society has been a place where this ecclesial vocation has been and can be nurtured. There are many intellectual challenges before the Pentecostal community as it moves into its second century as a renewal movement among Christians worldwide. This presidential address suggests three of these challenges: (1) a renewed understanding of the two thousand years of Christian history and the role of renewal movements within it, including the last century of Pentecostal service; (2) an understanding of the sacramental character of Pentecostal worship, using the example of healing as a ritual where Pentecostals have unique gifts to offer other Christians and a long heritage of sacramental thinking from which to learn; and (3) the doctrine of the church and its call to visible unity, as the institutions that serve the Pentecostal churches mature into their second century and begin to become more theologically grounded, self-reflective, and ecumenical.

Theological Renewal (1975-1983): Listening to an Editor's Agenda for Church and Academy

Pneuma ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-107
Author(s):  
Mark Cartledge
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Personal Experience ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Charismatic Renewal ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractThis article explores the theological agenda set out by Thomas A. Smail during the Charismatic Renewal of the mid 1970s and early 1980s through his contribution to the journal Theological Renewal, which he edited (1975-1983). Smail expounds a theology of renewal that engages with church and academy by offering a trinitarian framework and a christological focus. These features are placed in dialogue with his own personal experience of renewal in the Holy Spirit, contemporary issues in the Charismatic Renewal, and his theological education in the Reformed and Barthian traditions. What emerges from a critical reflection is not only insight into the theological climate of the period in which an early renewalist theologian was engaged, but also resources for contemporary Pentecostal/Charismatic theological construction.

Global Christian Forum: A New initiative for the Second Century of Ecumenism

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-35
Author(s):  
John A. Radano
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Vatican Ii ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Second Century ◽  
Substantial Contribution ◽  
Past Century ◽  
The Past ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
The Holy Spirit

This article looks at the Global Christian Forum (GCF) as a new initiative in the historical context of the modern ecumenical movement and from a Catholic point of view. It puts the GCF in three perspectives: as a new stage in ecumenical development, as part of a turning point in ecumenical history and as a new impulse of the Holy Spirit. By bringing in the Evangelicals and Pentecostals, the GCF has widened the range of church families in conversation with one another. The GCF may begin to make a substantial contribution in the situation since Vatican II in which some critical issues between divided Christians have been solved. The beginning convergence of the two movements that have marked the past century — ecumenical and Pentecostal/evangelical — may be the work of the Holy Spirit.

scholarly journals Planning and management in the Missional agenda of the 21st Century Church: A study of Lighthouse Chapel International

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter White ◽  
Benjamin O. Acheampong
Keyword(s):  
21St Century ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Church Leadership ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
Planning And Management ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Pentecostal Churches ◽  
Central Argument ◽  
Interdisciplinary Study ◽  
The Church

Planning and management is an important aspect of every successful organisation. In a similar way as the church participates in the missio Dei, it is essential that we consider planning and management as part of the missional tools for the management of the various resources God has given the church. Doing this, church leadership must join in with the Father (God) and the Holy Spirit to know what he wants to accomplish in their context as they plan and manage God�s resources for missional purposes. In the light of this understanding, the article discusses the role of �planning and management in the missional agenda of the 21st century church� by using one of the fastest growing Neo-Pentecostal churches in Ghana, the Lighthouse Chapel International, as a case study. The central argument in this paper is that although leadership has a major role to play in missional planning, it is however a holistic and all-inclusive agenda. Missional planning includes the involvement of the Holy Spirit, congregational leadership, the entire congregation and the various resources the church is being endowed with by God.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The study is an interdisciplinary study between Missiology, Planning, and Management. The result from the study will enhance the Ecclesiastical Community to appreciate the importance of management and planning as they participate in the missio Dei.

‘Is the Lord One of the Two Angels?’: Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho, Early Christian Hermeneutics, and Justin's Pneumatological Christian Readings

2019 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-181
Author(s):  
Shawn J. Wilhite
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Second Century ◽  
Early Christian ◽  
Early Formation ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Argument Proceeds

In second-century Trinitarian thought, some early figures may often overlook the role of the Holy Spirit in contrast to providing a more secure identity for the Son. This contrast seemingly appears in Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho. In 2008, Michel Barnes wrote an essay on the early formation of Christian Pneumatology. As Barnes’s argument proceeds, Justin and Trypho focus upon the clarity of language that concerns the Son: (1) a triumphant and (2) suffering Messiah. Yet, with regard to the Holy Spirit, both Trypho and Justin do not appear to question the terminology that one another employ. So, Barnes suggests that both Trypho and Justin maintain a similar pneumatological presupposition that overlaps with Jewish Pneumatology. This article revisits how Justin addresses the pneumatological language in the Dialogue with Trypho and inquires what pneumatological discontinuities exist between Justin and Trypho. Even if Justin coheres with many facets of Jewish pneumatological ideas, he still distinctly represents, though incipiently, a Christian pneumatology.

Montanism and Present Day “Prophets”

Pneuma ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 413-429
Author(s):  
Cecil M. Robeck
Keyword(s):  
Roman Empire ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Church And State ◽  
Second Century ◽  
Emerging Church ◽  
Government Officials ◽  
Orthodox Christian ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
History Of ◽  
Christian Leaders

AbstractOver the past decade and a half, William Tabbernee, the world’s leading authority on Montanism or the New Prophecy, has written four major works on the subject. Three of them are reviewed in this article. One looks at Montanism through the eyes of church and state; a second provides documentation for the identification of the headquarters city of the Montanists; and the third puts the two together in a creative narrative. These three volumes are placed within the context of larger issues surrounding the history of this powerful prophetic movement that originated in late second-century Asia Minor and subsequently spread throughout the Roman Empire up until the sixth century. The reactions and responses of various orthodox Christian leaders and secular government officials to the claims of this highly independent prophetic movement, which called for more reliance upon the spontaneity of the Holy Spirit and a more conservative personal ethic, suggest strong parallels between Montanism and what might be found in today’s Charismatic, New Apostolic, and Emerging Church movements.

scholarly journals Missional theological curricula and institutions

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kruger P. Du Preez ◽  
Hans J. Hendriks ◽  
Arend E. Carl
Keyword(s):  
Community Development ◽  
Curriculum Development ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Reference Points ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Theological Institutions ◽  
Church And Society

The article argues in favour of an all-embracing missional framework for curriculum development for theological institutions. When the curriculum of a subject such as ecclesiologyhas a missional hermeneutic, it will naturally lead to missional congregations. The authors use issues raised by the Network for African Congregational Theology (NetACT) institutions and the decisions of the Third Lausanne Congress in Cape Town (2010) as reference points in this article. They argue for a broad understanding of the concept �missional� and are of the opinion that curricula that are integrative, normative, contextual and missional will lead to spiritual maturity and will result in a positive impact on church and society as a whole. The missio Deias the work of the Trinitarian God is seen as being God�s initiative. The incarnational modelof Jesus Christ forms the basis for a theology and missiology where humility, vulnerability and servanthood play a pivotal role in curricula. An appeal is made for holistic missions with a strong emphasis on social engagement and the inclusion of community development. The Holy Spirit is seen as the empowering presence of the missio Dei, and the role of pneumatologyin missional curriculum development is underscored. Theological institutes should become�proclamation� institutions. Curricula should be ecumenical by nature and should include reaching the unreached and unengaged people groups. Theological education by extension is presented as an alternative way of decent ralised theological education.Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: The article calls for theology to be done with a missional hermeneutic, both intradisciplinarily and interdisciplinarily. The article involves theology and education and calls for all disciplines dealing with community development to collaborate.

scholarly journals Theological Education for Sense-sational Leadership

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Technological Change ◽  
Cognitive Science ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Theological Education ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Religious Conflict ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
The Senses ◽  
Christian Leaders

In a century of constant technological change, escalating religious conflict, and seismic shifts in how Christians live and worship, those in Christian ministry require more than quick thinking skills. They must reason imaginatively, face change with flexibility, and simultaneously reinvigorate tradition while supporting transformation and growth. Yet what kinds of pedagogies cultivate the creativity, vision, and flexibility such leaders require for ministry today? This paper brings together research from theological education and cognitive science to show how pedagogical practices that engage the senses can help Christians leaders develop “agility”: namely, an ability to think and act in ways that are both discerning and dynamic, flexible as well as faithful. I argue that theological pedagogies that prioritize the senses in the pursuit of knowing God, others and the material world, when coupled with attunement to the Holy Spirit, can help Christian leaders exercise Spirit-led agility in their ministries today.

scholarly journals The Holy Spirit as feminine: Early Christian testimonies and their interpretation

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Van Oort
Keyword(s):  
Present Article ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Fourth Century ◽  
Second Century ◽  
John Wesley ◽  
Early Christian ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
East And West

The earliest Christians – all of whom were Jews – spoke of the Holy Spirit as a feminine figure. The present article discusses the main proof texts, ranging from the ‘Gospel according to the Hebrews’ to a number of testimonies from the second century. The ancient tradition was, in particular, kept alive in East and West Syria, up to and including the fourth century Makarios and/or Symeon, who even influenced ‘modern’ Protestants such as John Wesley and the Moravian leader Count von Zinzendorf. It is concluded that, in the image of the Holy Spirit as woman and mother, one may attain a better appreciation of the fullness of the Divine.

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