THEOLOGY
Renewal Theology
By Dr. J. Rodman Williams
Theologian
Renewal Theology
Renewal Theology deals with all the basic doctrines of the Christian faith.
The three volumes were written especially for persons involved in the
Pentecostal and charismatic renewal. Now published as three volumes in
one, with the subtitle of Systematic Theology from a Charismatic Perspective,
the whole of Renewal Theology is readily available. There have
been numerous printings of the three volumes as well as foreign translations.
Renewal Theology is used as a textbook in several colleges and
seminaries. It has also been helpful to many people in study groups and
for private reading.
My purpose in writing Renewal Theology:
Renewal Theology is in one sense an expression of revitalization. When
I came into the renewal in 1965, "God is dead" language was abroad in
the land. What happened in my case and that of many others was God's own
answer: a powerful self-revelation. John Calvin had long ago declared
about God that "the recognition of him consists more in living experience
than in vain and high-flown speculation." Now that there was an enhancement
of "living experience" in my life, there came about a fresh zeal for teaching
theology in its many facets. As I said later in The Era of the Spirit,
"A new dynamic has been unleashed that has vitalized various theological
categories." Renewal Theology is an expression of theological revitalization.
Renewal Theology also represents an effort to reclaim certain biblical affirmations
that have been largely neglected or given insufficient attention. In line
with the setting of this theology within the contemporary renewal, there
is also a deep concern to relate relevant renewal emphases to more traditional
categories. Since it is my conviction that church tradition and theology
have generally failed to treat adequately the aspect of the work of the
Holy Spirit that may be called "pentecostal" and "charismatic," Renewal
Theology is an earnest attempt to bring these matters to light. Volume
2 deals particularly with this area; however, in many other places in Renewal
Theology there is pentecostal/charismatic input.
Finally, the concern of Renewal Theology in every area of
study is truth. This is not an attempt to advance a particular cause but
to understand in totality what the Christian faith proclaims. It is not
only a matter of individual doctrines but also of the full round of Christian
truth. With this in mind, it has been my prayerful desire that "the Spirit
of truth" at every point will lead "into all the truth" (John 16:13).
What some outstanding Christian leaders say about Renewal Theology:
Pat Robertson: "If ever we needed a scripturally sound theology
that also affirms the power of the Holy Spirit, the time is now. A leading
theologian in the renewal movement and the founding professor of theology
at Regent University, J. Rodman Williams has been a friend and colleague
for over two decades. His Renewal Theology is a milestone in biblical
scholarship."
Jack Hayford: "J. Rodman Williams' work and workmanship are helping
secure the moorings of solid theology, bringing doctrinal perspective
to and fresh biblical accountability upon the charismatic movement. His
scholarship and his spiritual sensitivity are beautifully blended and
are a blessing to us all."
John Wimber: "J. Rodman Williams has made a commendable effort
in theologizing in a contemporary context. It's exciting to me to see
reformed theology and renewal emphasis come together. I highly recommend
the book."
Stanley Burgess: "J. Rodman Williams' Renewal Theology
provides the first comprehensive theological statement from within the
charismatic renewal. I have found his notes to be a goldmine both of biblical
references undergirding charismatic theology and of contemporary charismatic
sources from various traditions."
Carl Henry: "With this book (referring to volume 3), J. Rodman
Williams, writing from a charismatic perspective, completes a systematic
theology of three volumes for which many evangelicals have long looked."
Russell Spittler: "A landmark in charismatic theology! The high
view of Scripture which controls Professor Williams's theological methods
leads me to predict that this three-volume systematic theology will become
the standard in Pentecostal and charismatic colleges and ministerial training
institutes wherever English is read."
Excerpt from Renewal Theology:
Click here
to view the excerpt in PDF format.
(Requires the latest version of Adobe Reader to view. Download it for
free by clicking here).
Copies of the unabridged three volumes in one edition of Renewal Theology
may be secured from online booksellers such as ShopCBN,
or from Zondervan Publishing House and local bookstores.
The Holy Spirit and The Christian Life
A video teaching done some years ago for Regent University's Christian
Foundations: Basic Beliefs series.
(Requires Real Player to view. Download it for free by clicking here).
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Other Books by
Dr. J. Rodman Williams
Content Copyright 2003 by J. Rodman Williams,
Ph.D.
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