Description
Book SynopsisWhat is the essence of charismatic Christianity, a renewal movement that stresses the Holy Spirit's work, the church's use of spiritual gifts, and the significance of the supernatural? Helen Collins gives a novel summary explanation drawn from the spiritual gifts. Through Scripture and doctrinal reflection, she shows that charismatic spirituality is a coherent, reasonable, and rich tradition with much to offer. Collins demonstrates how practicing spiritual gifts embodies a distinctive theology, making these practices carriers of doctrine. Using the Acts 2 narrative, she summarizes seven key emphases and associated practices: expectancy (prophecy), enchantment (miracles), encounter (healing), expression (testimony), equality (tongues), empowerment (evangelism), and enjoyment (worship). The result is a fresh introduction that is biblical, theologically robust, and practical, helping charismatic students to learn more about themselves and others to understand the movement and what it has to contribute to global theological discussions.
Table of ContentsIntroduction
A Testimony
The Aims of This Book
Definitions
Method
Overview
1. Expectancy
Introduction
Acts 2:1
The Gift of Prophecy: Enacting Expectancy
Prophetic Expectancy: A Doctrine of God
The Dangers of Prophetic Expectancy
The Gift of Teaching: Framing Expectancy
Conclusion: With Patience
2. Enchantment
Introduction
Acts 2:2
The Gift of Working Miracles: Enacting Enchantment
Miraculous Enchantment: A Doctrine of Creation
The Dangers of Miraculous Enchantment
The Gift of Steering: Nurturing Enchantment
Conclusion: With Peace and Goodness
3. Encounter
Introduction
Acts 2:3-4
The Gifts of Healings: Enacting Encounter
Healing Encounter: A Doctrine of Humanity
The Dangers of Healing Encounters
The Gift of Helping: Enabling Encounter
Conclusion: With Love
4. Expression
Introduction
Acts 2:4
The Gifts of the Utterances of Wisdom and Knowledge: Enacting Expressiveness
Wise and Knowledgeable Expression: A Doctrine of Salvation
The Dangers of Wise and Knowledgeable Expression
The Gift of Discernment of Spirits: Analyzing Expression
Conclusion: With Faithfulness
5. Equality
Introduction
Acts 2:5-13
The Gift of Various Kinds of Tongues: Enacting Equality
Glossolalic Equality: A Doctrine of the Church
The Dangers of Glossolalic Equality
The Gift of Various Kinds of Tongues: Celebrating Equality
Conclusion: With Joy
6. Empowerment
Introduction
Acts 2:14-41
The Gift of Faith: Enacting Empowerment
Faith-Filled Empowerment: A Doctrine of Mission
The Dangers of Empowered Faith
The Gift of Service: Humbling Empowerment
Conclusion: With Kindness and Gentleness
7. Enjoyment
Introduction
Acts 2:42-47
The Gift of Encouraging Exhortation: Enacting Enjoyment
Encouraging, Exhorting Enjoyment: A Doctrine of the End
The Dangers of Encouraging, Exhorting Enjoyment
The Gifts of Giving and Showing Mercy: Grounding Enjoyment
Conclusion: With Self-Control
Conclusion
Interconnected and Distinctive
Unified and Ecumenical
Christian as Charismatic and Charismatic as Christian
Traditioning Charismatics
Contributing to Pentecostal Scholarship
Contributing to Global Christianity
Being Renewed
A Testimony
Appendix: Chapter Overview
Index
