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The Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh: Pentecostalism and the Possibility of Global Theology
The Pentecostal movement has had an incredible impact on the shape of worldwide Christianity in the past century. Estimates are that Pentecostals and charismatics make up approximately one-fourth of Christians worldwide, and the numbers are only expected to grow. With these developments comes the need for thoughtful Christians of all persuasions to better understand Pentecostal theology. In fact, Amos Yong believes that Pentecostal theology can be a great gift to the church at large.
Yong presents a thoroughly Pentecostal theology of salvation, the church, the nature of God, and creation. He also provides a fascinating survey of the state of worldwide Pentecostalism, examining how Pentecostal theology is influencing Christian churches in other countries.
Yong presents a thoroughly Pentecostal theology of salvation, the church, the nature of God, and creation. He also provides a fascinating survey of the state of worldwide Pentecostalism, examining how Pentecostal theology is influencing Christian churches in other countries.
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2005
28 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Amos Yong
114 books48 followersAmos Yong is the J. Rodman Williams Professor of Theology and Director of the Ph.D. in Renewal Studies program at Regent University Divinity School in Virginia Beach, VA. He is the Co-editor of Pneuma, the journal of the Society of Pentecostal Studies.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 24, 2018
Having come from a conservative evangelical background and then subsequently thrust into a charismatic pentecostal expression in young adulthood, I've never personally subscribed to a particular denomination though my worship expression is decidedly of the latter. When my Historical Theology tutor recommended this book when I expressed my interest in the pentecostal/charismatic movement and wanting to write my essay on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, as well as wanting to read a more Asian perspective, I delved right into this dense theology book not knowing what to expect... and absolutely loved it from the start.
Yong does well in first expounding the history of the pentecostal/charismatic movement, something I'd never read or known much about (save the occasional tidbits regarding the classic Azusa Revival or Toronto Blessing). As I read more and more about the beliefs, values and morals of pentecostalism, the more I realised they aligned with my own beliefs, values and morals: e.g. postmodern, postpatriarchal, postcolonial, posthierarchical, post-Western/European (p. 20). In other words: 'the Spirit poured out on all flesh'!
Equipped with a newfound knowledge of the global scale and mindset of pentecostal theology, I particularly focussed on chapter 2 ("And You Shall Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit": Toward a Pneumatological Soteriology) to write my essay on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I appreciated Yong's sensitive and insightful critique of the classical Pentecostal view and definition of Spirit-baptism (very similar to Gordon D. Fee), and his expansion of Spirit-baptism not as a singular concrete experience but multiple "baptisms" or "anointings" that every Christian should seek in order to live a more robust, holistic life of empowerment. He presents this within the framework of a pneumatological soteriology (or Spirit-centred salvation), emphasising the need for the Holy Spirit to be part of every aspect of Christian life just as how the Holy Spirit was involved right from the beginning of Jesus's life (Spirit Christology).
Obviously, my scant summary does disservice to the in-depthness to which Yong reaches. I also greatly appreciated chapters 4 ("From Every Nation under Heaven": The Ecumenical Potential of Pentecostalism for World Theology) and 6 (The Holy Spirit and the Spirits: Public Theology, the Religions, and the Identity of the Spirit) which addressed how a pentecostal theology can be applied to the unity of world cultures, as well as engage in interfaith dialogues with other religions. I can see how chapter 6 in particular could be controversial, but I appreciated his challenge to us to consider that if God is omnipresent, then His Spirit is active even in and through other religions. He does a particularly interesting exegesis of the parable of the Good Samaritan (pp. 241–44) to argue for a more compassionate attitudes towards others who might be considered "cultic" or "irreligious" or "demonic".
There's so much more I could talk about, but I'll end it with a quote that shows how Yong is never simply theoretical but understands the importance of practical application of pentecostal theology to be relevant globally (and I will unabashedly say I exclaimed 'YES!' when I read this):
‘Let me put it this way: if in the twenty-first century we are looking for a rigidly defined theological methodology that will enable us to engage culture without getting our gospel hands dirty, then we may as well quit now. No such approach is available because gospel and culture are not two separate things. Rather, the gospel always comes in cultural dress. Even Jesus came as a first-century male Jewish carpenter. This leads to the incarnational principle whereby God redeems, at least potentially, all that is taken up historically in the life of Christ. Therefore we proceed best in our time if our theologies are multiperspectival, multidisciplinary, and multicultural. Multiperspectivalism requires taking seriously the insight of all voices. especially those previously marginalized from the theological conversation—for example, women, the poor, the differently abled or disabled, perhaps even the heretics! Multidisciplinarity requires taking seriously the insights of the wider range of human learning, especially those in the hard and soft sciences. And multiculturalism requires that we take seriously the insights of the various ethnic and cultural groups and their experiences.’ (pp. 239–40)
Yong does well in first expounding the history of the pentecostal/charismatic movement, something I'd never read or known much about (save the occasional tidbits regarding the classic Azusa Revival or Toronto Blessing). As I read more and more about the beliefs, values and morals of pentecostalism, the more I realised they aligned with my own beliefs, values and morals: e.g. postmodern, postpatriarchal, postcolonial, posthierarchical, post-Western/European (p. 20). In other words: 'the Spirit poured out on all flesh'!
Equipped with a newfound knowledge of the global scale and mindset of pentecostal theology, I particularly focussed on chapter 2 ("And You Shall Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit": Toward a Pneumatological Soteriology) to write my essay on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I appreciated Yong's sensitive and insightful critique of the classical Pentecostal view and definition of Spirit-baptism (very similar to Gordon D. Fee), and his expansion of Spirit-baptism not as a singular concrete experience but multiple "baptisms" or "anointings" that every Christian should seek in order to live a more robust, holistic life of empowerment. He presents this within the framework of a pneumatological soteriology (or Spirit-centred salvation), emphasising the need for the Holy Spirit to be part of every aspect of Christian life just as how the Holy Spirit was involved right from the beginning of Jesus's life (Spirit Christology).
Obviously, my scant summary does disservice to the in-depthness to which Yong reaches. I also greatly appreciated chapters 4 ("From Every Nation under Heaven": The Ecumenical Potential of Pentecostalism for World Theology) and 6 (The Holy Spirit and the Spirits: Public Theology, the Religions, and the Identity of the Spirit) which addressed how a pentecostal theology can be applied to the unity of world cultures, as well as engage in interfaith dialogues with other religions. I can see how chapter 6 in particular could be controversial, but I appreciated his challenge to us to consider that if God is omnipresent, then His Spirit is active even in and through other religions. He does a particularly interesting exegesis of the parable of the Good Samaritan (pp. 241–44) to argue for a more compassionate attitudes towards others who might be considered "cultic" or "irreligious" or "demonic".
There's so much more I could talk about, but I'll end it with a quote that shows how Yong is never simply theoretical but understands the importance of practical application of pentecostal theology to be relevant globally (and I will unabashedly say I exclaimed 'YES!' when I read this):
‘Let me put it this way: if in the twenty-first century we are looking for a rigidly defined theological methodology that will enable us to engage culture without getting our gospel hands dirty, then we may as well quit now. No such approach is available because gospel and culture are not two separate things. Rather, the gospel always comes in cultural dress. Even Jesus came as a first-century male Jewish carpenter. This leads to the incarnational principle whereby God redeems, at least potentially, all that is taken up historically in the life of Christ. Therefore we proceed best in our time if our theologies are multiperspectival, multidisciplinary, and multicultural. Multiperspectivalism requires taking seriously the insight of all voices. especially those previously marginalized from the theological conversation—for example, women, the poor, the differently abled or disabled, perhaps even the heretics! Multidisciplinarity requires taking seriously the insights of the wider range of human learning, especially those in the hard and soft sciences. And multiculturalism requires that we take seriously the insights of the various ethnic and cultural groups and their experiences.’ (pp. 239–40)
August 7, 2022
I really wanted to love this book. I resonate with Young's call to engage in dialogue with both other contextualized theologies within Christianity and the religious other. His approach to Trinitarian Christians pretending, my words not his, to be Oneness for the sake of converting others was unsettling. At points it seems like Young is moving in a Universalist direction which seems odd given my previous objection. If our belief is weak enough we need to be borderline deceitful to convert, then we need to revisit our beliefs. If universalism is accurate, as the body of believers focusing on conversions is a waste of time and our energy is better spent focusing on ending suffering in this age rather than preventing it in the future age. The at stake here is eternity. While I hope the Universalists are correct, I remain unconvinced.
February 18, 2017
Challenging and Informative
I will work on a longer, more robust review in the future; however, I will simply say now that this book, while academic in style, will challenge any reader in their thoughts about and understanding of the work and purpose of the Holy Spirit in these modern times.
I will work on a longer, more robust review in the future; however, I will simply say now that this book, while academic in style, will challenge any reader in their thoughts about and understanding of the work and purpose of the Holy Spirit in these modern times.
March 22, 2025
A good and well rounded theology
Very well done. It is a good starting point for those wishing to enrich their understanding of a Pentecostal worldview, praxis, epistemology, and theology through the rubric of a theological and philosophical methodology.
Very well done. It is a good starting point for those wishing to enrich their understanding of a Pentecostal worldview, praxis, epistemology, and theology through the rubric of a theological and philosophical methodology.
June 10, 2015
Yong makes a good start toward engaging Pentecostalism with other Christian streams, other world religions, and science. His attempt is to introduce a global Pentecostal theology, and he makes a good case for formulating a comprehensive pneumatological worldview.
Some themes that stand out to me are: 1) salvation as a dynamic and ongoing process of the Spirit, 2) the Spirit as an eschatological mediator, bringing the ultimate eternal hope into the present through the work of reconciliation in the church now - including all social justice concerns, and 3) the Spirit as the bridge that connects all of the dualistic dichotomies of our world.
Yong is uncommonly kind toward Oneness Pentecostalism, which earns him respect in my estimation. He maintains a strong Trinitarian bias however, to the point of making Trinity a premise for much of his other thoughts. As with most contemporary Trinitarian discussion, it is an unwarranted emphasis at the least, and in many cases actually hinders the exposition of the points he otherwise makes quite well.
That disagreement aside, I often found myself excited to see Yong put words to thoughts that have already been formulating in my own thinking, and I owe a 'thank you' to this author for fast forwarding my own pursuit of a well-developed Pentecostal theology, including its implications for life and faith.
Some themes that stand out to me are: 1) salvation as a dynamic and ongoing process of the Spirit, 2) the Spirit as an eschatological mediator, bringing the ultimate eternal hope into the present through the work of reconciliation in the church now - including all social justice concerns, and 3) the Spirit as the bridge that connects all of the dualistic dichotomies of our world.
Yong is uncommonly kind toward Oneness Pentecostalism, which earns him respect in my estimation. He maintains a strong Trinitarian bias however, to the point of making Trinity a premise for much of his other thoughts. As with most contemporary Trinitarian discussion, it is an unwarranted emphasis at the least, and in many cases actually hinders the exposition of the points he otherwise makes quite well.
That disagreement aside, I often found myself excited to see Yong put words to thoughts that have already been formulating in my own thinking, and I owe a 'thank you' to this author for fast forwarding my own pursuit of a well-developed Pentecostal theology, including its implications for life and faith.
October 29, 2012
This book is a challenging overveiw of the global theological pentecostal landscape. It seeks to try and create a framework for global dialogue netween various traditions within, and from outside, of Pentecostalism. The working concept is that if Gods Spirit has been "poured out on all flesh" (Acts 2/Joel 2) then God must be at work everywhere and in all faiths--though the author is quick to point out that no all religions are true or salvific. In any case, this book is challenging and well written. Los of questions are answered and even more raised. I found it particularly ingeresting the argument for a pneumatology that is equal with Christology instead of subservient to it. The contrast of a Luke-Acts model for understanding Christianity was also contrased to the typical Pauline model. An book well worth the read.
October 30, 2014
Yong is the premier Pentecostal thinker, interacting with the world of philosophy, politics, world religions, and all other churches. His quest is to construct, and to develop a theology driven by a pneumatic concern, focused on the person of the Son. Some chapters were wonderful, whereas others failed to catch my attention.Two that were especially important for me were the chapters on soteriology, and eccumenism. Less interesting was the chapter on creating a theology of creation and using that to interact with science.
I will read more of Yong.
I will read more of Yong.
May 1, 2010
Academic style thesis on Pentecostal understandings of the Holy Spirit. Covers famaliar material, such as the role of Pentecostalism in social welfare, gender and racial equality, and politics more generally. This book discusses the unique insights that Pentecostal understandings of the Holy Spirit can bring to interfaith dialogue.
February 22, 2012
A masterwork for Pentecostals. Still the standard for what Pentecostal theology will look like, even if you disagree with the particulars.
May 10, 2018
Excellent book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews