The Spirit Renews the Face of the Earth

Synopsis: This collection of essays was first presented at the 37th annual meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, held jointly with the Wesleyan Theological Society at Duke University in March 2008, under the conference theme, "Signs, Sighs, and Significance: Pentecostal and Wesleyan Explorations of Science and Creation." Along with a companion volume of Wesleyan essays published also by Pickwick Publications, the twelve chapters here represent both Pentecostal reflections/responses to the science-religion discussion and Pentecostal contributions to the ongoing exchange by biblical studies specialists, historians, and theologians, among those trained in other disciplines. Together the essayists model an actual dialogue in which Pentecostal scholarly reflection is impacted by science-religion discourses on the one hand, while Pentecostals reach deep into their own tradition to explore how their pre-understandings and commitments might enable them to speak with their own voice into pre-existing conversations on the other hand. This volume thus represents one of the first-hopefully the first of many-in which Pentecostals register their perspectives on a major issue of our time. In a world dominated by science, and at a time when theologies of creation that encourage and require care for creation and the environment are proliferating, The Spirit Renews the Face of the Earth provides a set of Pentecostal perspectives on these important matters. Contributors: Peter Althouse, J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, Steve Badger, Jerome Boone, Shane Clifton, Edward E. Decker, Jr., Scott A. Ellington, Gerald W. King, David Norris, Matthew Tallman, Mike Tenneson, Bernie A. Van De Walle, Robert Waddell, and Amos Yong Endorsers: "This volume of essays is a testimony to the fact that not only has Pentecostal theology come of age, but that Pentecostals are now equipped theologically to facilitate dialogue with science and creation care. Dr. Yong, the leading Pentecostal constructive theologian, has put together an impressive interdisciplinary team of scholars to offer exciting reflections on distinctively Pentecostal creation theology and practice in sympathetic and critical dialogue with scientific perspectives. This is a landmark volume." --Veli-Matti Karkkainen Professor of Systematic Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary and Docent of Ecumenics, University of Helsinki "This collection of essays represents a significant contribution to the study of the intersection of science and Pentecostal faith. The essays are well written, historically informed, and lay the groundwork for further research in this important, and oft-neglected, part of the conversation between Christian faith and scientific developments. Students of Pentecostal history and theology also have a great deal to learn from this collection of insightful essays." --Craig A. Boyd Professor of Philosophy and Executive Director of Faith Integration, Azusa Pacific University "This book reveals a new frontier in Pentecostal scholarship. The contributors take us where we have not gone before: probing the wonders of creation and the Spirit, providing a new grammar for the intersection of science and religion, and re-visioning eschatology. The intersection of Pentecostalism and science may yet prove to be a most fruitful and creative synergy, breaking open new paradigms for the twenty-first century." --Cheryl Bridges Johns Professor of Discipleship and Christian Formation, Church of God Theological Seminary Author Biography: Amos Yong is Professor of Systematic Theology at Regent University School of Divinity, Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is the author of Spirit, Word, Community: Theological Hermeneutics in Trinitarian Perspective (Wipf and Stock, 2006).