Spirit and Power: Foundations of Pentecostal Experience

by William W. Menzies, Robert P. Menzies

The times have long passed when Pentecostals were viewed as Protestantism’s untouchables. Today, the shock waves from Azusa Street have influenced countless Evangelicals worldwide. But if dialogue between Pentecostals and Evangelicals has awakened within the latter a thirst for the power of God’s Spirit, it has challenged Pentecostals to examine their theology more deeply in the light of his Word. Just how firm is the biblical foundation on which they stand? Spirit and Power provides a cutting-edge look at Pentecostal theology. It addresses the concern expressed by its authors and echoed throughout charismatic churches today: “Although our Pentecostal forefathers intuitively grasped the correlation between the reality they experienced and the promise of Acts 1:8, they did not always articulate their theology in a manner that was convincing to other believers committed to the authority of Scripture.” In response, theologians William and Robert Menzies explore Pentecostalism in a scholarly and current light. Spirit and Power is no mere paraphrase of dated approaches. It is a fresh and penetrating look at the whys and wherefores of Pentecostal doctrine that sets a new standard for Spirit-filled theology. Whatever your persuasion may be as a Christian, this book’s thoughtfulness, balance, and biblical integrity will help you appreciate more fully the strengths of the Pentecostal stance. Laying the groundwork for an accurate understanding of Luke’s writings in particular, the authors help you grasp the foundations of Pentecostal theology from the standpoints of history, hermeneutics, and exegesis. Then, in Part Two, they give you an in-depth look at specific Pentecostal concerns: the baptism of the Holy Spirit as a blessing subsequent to salvation, evidential tongues, signs and wonders, healing in the atonement, and more. You’ll deepen your understanding of the basis for Pentecostal beliefs. And you’ll gain a feel for the mutually beneficial dialogue that continues between Pentecostals and Evangelicals today.

Genres: Theology

240 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Strong Introduction To and Defence of Pentecostalism

This monolith should be required reading for any student of Biblical and/or Pentecostal theology. The father-son authors do a very competent job of expressing a wide range of opinions about the Pentecostal experience and the biblical support for Lukan and Pauline viewpoints.

[Jess Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un très bon livre dans lesquels les Menzies père et fils (même si au final le père William n'a écrit que deux chapitres) défendent la thèse suivante : Luc a son propre agenda sur le Saint-Esprit, différent de celui de Paul mais complémentaire. Il faut donc lire Luc en tant que Luc et non simplement comme une illustration des épîtres de Paul.

Au début j'ai eu un peu peur quand j'ai vu que c'était un rassemblement d'articles réunis et retravaillés pour en faire un livre, c'est pas souvent une réussite. Mais ici ça marche grâce à la thèse principale qui est commune à chaque sujet, tout est logiquement lié ensemble.

Le livre commence par une double partie historique, d'abord un résumé de l'histoire des mouvements de pentecôte jusqu'à la "troisième vague" de Peter Wagner, le but étant de souligner les points communs et différences de ces mouvements avec une emphase sur leur herméneutique.

Ensuite une partie sur l'histoire de l'interprétation des textes narratifs, principalement Luc-Actes, de Gunkel à Joël B. Green en passant par Stott et Gordon Fee. Et comment cette histoire a impacté l'herméneutique pentecôtiste et évangélique plus généralement.

Puis une série de chapitre qui sont une application des principes qui ressortent des études historiques. Cela se fait en interagissant avec trois théologien et exégète ayant fortement contribué à ces sujets : Gordon Fee, James Dunn et Max Turner.

Puis une seconde partie qui fait la même chose sur des sujets plus théologique et doctrinaux: baptême dans le Saint-Esprit, guérison, providence divine , glossolalie, distinction baptême St-Es / conversion, relation dons de l'Esprit /fruit de l'esprit etc.

[Jeremiah P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting history of a shift in hermeneutics. In the first edition of How to Read the Bible for All its Worth Fee said that we can't get normative from narrative. In later editions he corrected by allowing that there are exceptions. I. Howard Marshall put out a book in 1970 called Luke: Historian and Theologian. I guess it was pretty influential. Now people like Blomberg, Klein, Hubbard, and Osborne recognize that narrative can be normative.
I enjoyed the chapter on providence.
The chapter on healing in the atonement is good. Especially interesting to see Matthew's departure from the LXX of Isa 43:4 at Mat 8:17. It seems that intended to convey to us that healing is through the atonement.

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate his grace toward those who disagree with his views. I also really appreciate his desire to take the Bible seriously, to live by it.

I do think his view on Luke and Paul and the idea that their views on the Spirit were "different" yet "complementary," needs to be more clearly expressed. Most of the time it seemed like this meant, in reality, that their views really were different, and not completely complementary or compatible.