“Strange Fire”? Not in a Global Pentecostal Context of Ministry

A Biblical and experiential panel response to John MacArthur’s “Strange Fire” from an international Pentecostal point of view Strange Fire
Dony K. Donev with Dennis Balcombe, Hanny Setiawan and Marius Lombaard

Almost one year ago, internationally known author John MacArthur began campaigning for his new book Strange Fire. With lots of material written beforehand by many who had not even read the book, the actual premiere was at a conference with the same name, not without some scandal to help its wide popularization. But scandal was hardly needed when the book classified most (if not all) Charismatics around the world as heretics. Тhe bottom line for MacArthur’s work was deconstruction modern day Charismatic theology and exposing it as unbiblical.

Do Pentecostal churches really offer a “strange fire” as MacArthur proposes? Could charismatic extremes practiced by some be evident in all Charismatic churches and classical Pentecostal denominations? And is it possible to declare a world wide movement of half a billion strong as heretical by observing random examples among less than 3% (three percent) of its representatives residing in North America?

The premise of this ad hominem attack is surprising, when even in Pentecostal scholarly circles we have long debated some Charismatic praxis as wrong and destructive to the movement as a whole. So, when an outsider to Pentecostalism as MacArthur jumps in and claims all Pentecostals are bad because some Charismatics have been found in the wrong, the normal response is simply to disagree. Especially when these extremes do not concern Pentecostalism globally, but as MacArthur himself admits, are defined to a North American context of ministry and even more strict and limited Charismatic circle of neo-Pentecostalism.

The purpose of this article, therefore, is to present the view of Classic Pentecostals, as deferred from the variety non-Pentecostal Charismatics. And to discuss MacArthur’s assumptions in an international Pentecostal context, though Strange Fire refuses to view Pentecostalism as the global power it has become. Perhaps, the very weakness of any theological work that seeks international recognition, but fortifies its argument only within the perimeter of westernized theology. To provoke an even deeper discussion, the study explores five of the major arguments of Strange Fire within the ministry context of Pentecostals from Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia.

Apostolic Relevance or a New Apostolic Reformation?

Admittedly, MacArthur strongest point within his attack on Pentecostals is outlining Peter Wagner’s New Apostolic Reformation movement. And even quoting Vinson Synan, who was invited to join the network for $69 a month, but declined with the response, “I could not afford to be an apostle.” But how concerned is the larger Pentecostal world about this apostolic movement? And how important is NAR in global Pentecostalism today?

Hanny Setiawan of the Bethany Church of Solo Baru, Indonesia states:

I personally know NARs and follow Wagner’s thought but, I am not sure that Indonesian charismatic churches are aware of Wagner’s thought. Indonesian charismatic churches are not strategically structured and concepted like Wagner’s way of thinking. I recognize myself has an apostolic function even though I don’t call myself an apostle (neither my community). Wagner’s book and other related books have helped me to know my calling deeper. And because I understand what my calling is, I can perform my apostolic function more efficiently.

Lifetime missionary to China, Dennis Balcombe also responds:

This New Apostolic Reformation is simply an American invention and organization by Peter Wagner and some who follow him. It has absolutely no relevance to the church in China, and I suspect in most other parts of the world. I live in the Hong Kong SAR and have not heard of anyone who is actually a part of this or calls himself an apostle. It is almost unheard of in mainland China where the church situation is much different. [Even] In the past in mainland China the church seldom used any type of titles for ministers other than ‘Servant of the Lord” or “Handmaiden of the Lord.” One reason was that for much of the past 65 years in Communist China, the house church (which constitutes the majority of Protestant Christians in China) has been illegal and persecuted to various degrees. Anyone having religious titles would possibly be marked by authorities.

Several years Peter Wagner and Chuck Pierce came to Hong Kong, and at the invitation of a local pastor, Rev. David Wang, invited many mainland house church leaders to attend an ‘apostolic ordination meeting’. They ordained several as apostles of various areas. However none of them were main leaders, and when they went back to their cities and told other pastors of the meeting, almost without exception the others totally rejected this.

Coming from my own background as a minister in post-Communist Bulgaria, I can confirm much similar experience with NAR in Eastern Europe. That there are true Pentecostal apostles is an undisputable fact; especially, when we speak of men and women who have started multiple churches and sometimes whole movements. At the same time, questioning the authenticity of “apostles who never do anything” (terminology by C.Buettel/J.Johnson) has been an open praxis in modern day Pentecostalism ever since its conception at the Azusa Street Revival.

Prosperity and Poverty in the Context of Global Pentecostalism

Next to apostles and “rock star” ministers, Strange Fire addresses the prosperity movement. Yet, the global Pentecostal church is hardly a materially prosperous one. On the contrary, overwhelming evidence from around the world repeatedly proves that poverty is an ever present factor in global Pentecostalism. So, exactly how important is the prosperity teaching in Pentecostal churches around the world?

Pastor Balcombe puts it rightfully:

This doctrine is almost totally foreign to the true Chinese churches in most parts of Asia, especially Hong Kong and China. [Prosperity] is being preached and practiced to various degrees of success mostly only in some more prosperous Asian nations. We would immediately think of Singapore and the mega-church of Joseph Prince which is also well known for the teaching we call antinomianism. Though this church is large and considered to be Charismatic, we would not identify it as a solid Pentecostal/Evangelical church.

Marius Lombaard of the University of South Africa agrees that:

The Pentecostal church I was part of was very opposed to prosperity teaching. It distinguished itself from other Pentecostals and Charismatics. Members at the time ranged from ordinary poor, to middle class people and no body was above middle class.

Hanny Setiawan affirms the above by saying:

Bill Hamon’s book the eternal church has helped me map the charismatic churches in Indonesia. With the Full Gospel movement (more traditional Pentecostal churches), Indonesian Pentecostal were “updated” into charismatic teaching in 1998 during the Asian turmoil. That’s when the prosperity teaching came into various emerging mega churches.

And then he wholeheartedly declares:

As part of both Pentecostal and charismatic churches I strongly state that I hate prosperity teaching. And yes, we have issue upon this teaching.

For working with the poor, I have to be honest that what I am doing is not typically with charismatic/prophetic churches in Indonesia. But few churches have already started doing work for wide-nation program in the social sector.

Even in my own European descent, I have to agree with these views when applied into global Pentecostal context. In my own dissertation a decade ago I wrote of Bulgarian churches that planted in North American context of ministry.

The fifteen years of economical crises, political disorder and the high rate of unemployment in Bulgaria have not helped the church plan for the future or find alternative ways for support. Thus, the Bulgarian Protestant Church remains a poor church. Moving to a land of greater prosperity (viz., North America), however, has not brought much improvement to the situation. The financial blessings enjoyed by individual Bulgarian believers are not always reflected in the financial ability of the church. Even within the American context, the Bulgarian church remains a beggar in a land of plenty (Bulgarian Churches in North America, 2004).

Prosperity is a mindset, a worldview of its own. And how it is measured remains entirely cultural. But one thing is for sure, it is not the worldview of the entire global church, regardless if they are Pentecostal, Baptist or even Catholic. In other words, no one movement can be holistically and globally prosperous. And when ministering among the poorest of the poor, the Bible does remind of Jesus’ teachings whereas our personal prosperity cannot remain self-centered. It must be applied toward the needs of the others as well. Or we are in the danger of Laodicea—to be rich, yet poor in the site of God.

Miracles shall cease? Not according to the Bible

From his personally-modified cessationist theology, MacArthur insists that miracles and healings are not consistent with the view of the church in the 21st century. This is hardly true for all Pentecostal groups around the world. Many among them have come to know Christ and exist as a church through no other way but by a miracle. And they are not hesitant to testify of that. If asked, virtually all Pentecostals can very vividly describe the last occurrence of miracle and demonstration of spiritual gifts they’ve witnessed recently in their own spiritual walk with specific details (date, place and event).

Hanny Setiawan responds:

I can boldly say that MacArthur is wrong in this statement. In fact, I am working on writing all the miracles happened to us in a website. We believe miracles are usual in Indonesia. Many Indonesians are uneducated and miracles are expected. Prophetic dreams, directions, visions, are widely experienced. In my ministry network, in fact, we move heavily in a divine direction. We teach the difference between Titanic Teaching and Noah’s Ark. What MacArthur suggests is to build ministry like building the Titanic, all brain and logic. We don’t buy into that! We build our ministry based on total obedience to divine direction. Sometimes it’s illogical and insane, but it’s always biblical. Illogical doesn’t mean un-biblical.

Dennis Balcombe also responds:

This is absolutely not true in most of Asia, especially in China. I have been travelling throughout the world for the past 45 years, and I would say this is not true of most of the part of the world we identify as ‘third-world nations’. This would include S. E. Asian nations, especially Indonesia, India, most of Africa and South America. I have been working extensively in mainland China since 1978, and have spoken to thousands of individual Christians and have deeply researched the history of Christianity and revival going back over 100 years. Almost without exception people tell me they became Christians due to some miracle they experienced, saw or heard about.

While in China not every Christian believes in or has experienced speaking in tongues, you would have to travel far and wide to find a Christian who doesn’t believe that miracles are for today and take place in the church today. It would take volumes to write in detail all the miracles I have either witnessed or heard about in China and other nations I have travelled, and this year Charisma Publishers will publish a new book I just wrote, China’s Opening Door with a few chapters dedicated to the miracles in China.

Like the churches in China today, the church under the Communism Regime could not exist without miracles. The fall of the Berlin wall was a miracle of its own. This alone is proof for supernatural signs at an international scale.

There is a video recorded from that time where a woman born blind who received her vision during a Bulgarian Church of God service in Sofia, Bulgaria. It was shot while Lee University’s Campus Choir lead by Dr. David Horton visited Bulgaria. While people are praising God for the miracle and the choir is singing, the camera drifts in the crowd to record a bearded man dressed in pure white standing taller than anyone else in the auditorium. His appearance is so amazingly different from the rest of the congregation that one immediately thinks of Jesus standing in the crowd. The video was lab tested upon returning to the States and was proven authentic. Yet, not a single person remembered seeing that man during the service.

Prophecy shall cease, but only where charity has failed

The argument of secession of the gifts of the Spirit is presented mainly in ch. 12 of MacArthur’s “Strange Fire.” It represents the heart of his argument against Pentecostalism through the years. This argument has been theologically reputed and practically invalid. But most of all, it is simply not true experientially as prophetic messages in or without tongues are still evident in multitude of Pentecostal churches around the world today.

Hanny Setiawan is certain that:

Again, MacArthur is very wrong. Without the work of the Spirit, Indonesian churches cannot survive. We live in the biggest Muslim nation in the world. And prophetically, we get the message that Indonesia is the last puzzle of the world. I share this to show how prophetic is integrated in our strategic ministry policy. Now we work toward 34 provinces by faith through the Holy Spirit without money backup. How could MacArthur explains this?

Marius Lombaard underlines the social aspect of the prophetic church by saying:

In my country, Christianity is too diverse to give any idea what the “majority” believes. Many may still believe in prophecy, but they would nuance their views of it differently. Prophecy can be wrongly caricatured. My beliefs about prophecy is that it is a function of the church to speak prophetically about contemporary cultural and social issues, rather than individuals being “filled with the spirit” and randomly telling people what they believe God to be telling them. I do think when prophecy takes my latter description of being “filled” with the spirit and randomly speaking things one believes God to be telling you, that there is a high risk of it being false.

Dennis Balcombe also admits as a Pentecostal that:

On rare occasions there are “prophecies” that violate the Word of God, are judgmental and condemning, and are spoken with malice and evil intent. We will always immediately deal with such prophecies, ask the speaker to be quiet, and let the congregation know that the “prophecy” was wrong.

Thus, prophecy is always judged by the written Word of God, the witness of the individual and the pastor or spiritual head of the one receiving the prophecy is usually present, or the words are given to him to follow up on. Over the years, we have found almost all of these prophecies to be accurate and are amazing inasmuch many of these giving the prophecies know nothing about the individuals they are speaking to. We see a powerful confirmation of the word of knowledge.

However, a small percentage seems to have ‘missed the mark’ and were not suitable or applicable to the individual. We would tell the person if there is no confirmation to ignore such ‘prophecies’ and we would point this out to the one giving the prophecy. If it happened often, we would not allow that person to continue to operate in this gift. There are some individuals, almost always from the USA or other Western nations, who will from time to time give predictive prophecies relating to major world events, world leaders, earthquakes and other natural judgments, etc. We usually only read about these prophecies in various public meetings, but not in our local church.

All through the Bible, persecution of the community of God is overcome mainly through prophetic presence and power. For this reason my masters’ thesis Pentecostal Primitivism argued that a persecuted movement, as Pentecostals have been for many years and in many places around the world, cannot survive without miracles within the prophetic realm:

Since a social movement that purposes liberation of the individual is always rejected by the present political and economic powers, Pentecostalism arises and develops in the midst of constant persecution and resistance. The constantly present struggle against evil, wrong and unrighteousness is the power that moves Pentecostalism to its final purposes. Once persecution disappears, Pentecostalism loses its original power and turns to a nominal religious organization, which continues to function and exist, however, outside the boundaries of its original purpose.

The theology of the Persecuted Church is a theology of martyrdom. The context of persecution is a constantly present formational factor in Pentecostalism worldwide, and as such it is a universal characteristic of the movement. Only as such can Pentecostalism act in its God-given prophetic authority. In the same prophetic power in which John prophesies of the coming Baptiser with the Holy Spirit, the Early Pentecostals preached about the Fire from Heaven prior to the actual experience of the Holy Spirit baptism. The message of the movement then becomes a prophetic utterance under which the movement grows and develops to the point of fulfillment of the promise given by God.

Spiritual Salvation: Both Prophetic and Supernatural

How important are the above issues to the salvation of eternal human souls if both prophetic and supernatural are removed from within the church? Should not salvation be the central focus of the church of the 21st century around the world rather than other seemingly important theological quarrels? And isn’t Biblical salvation still both supernatural and prophetic?

“Salvation is central of our ministry. It will always be the most important thing,” Hanny Setiawan responds. “But that’s only the beginning of discipleship. Personal piety teaching will merely cause egoistic salvation. Being and Doing are two things that have to happen together. Being like Christ, and doing Christ’s work. MacArthur’s concerns are well-taken, but he has to listen to our concern as well. Cessationist teaching has produced arrogant and humanistic Christianity. Total dependency to written words has to go hand in hand with total dependency to the living words. Holy Spirit and Bible are the two variables we need. Jesus is both natural and supernatural, so why can’t we believe that we are naturally supernatural”?

Marius Lombaard explains that:

Salvation is not dependent on a Gnostic view that one must hold to all the correct beliefs or doctrines, but on trusting that God will raise the dead at his second coming just like he raised Jesus from the grave. Nevertheless, I do think charismatic gifts are a practical matter that deserves attention in light of the prosperity and “word of faith” movement. I think there is a lot of unwarranted strange things happening in the charismatic churches in my country, but I do not think they are a majority, and they are not all equally practicing the stranger charismatic things.

Dennis Balcombe continues:

Preaching the “Full Gospel” with signs following, healing the sick, leading believers to be baptized in the Holy Spirit is very much a part of the ministry of the church today, and will result in the salvation of many souls. But the preaching of the Gospel will always focus on Christ, His Word, the cross and the salvation of the lost. Gifts of the Holy Spirit, healing of the sick, the ministry of prophets and apostles, God’s blessing on those who believe in Him (the good side of the prosperity Gospel) are part of the inner working of the Gospel. Our destination is the evangelization of the lost, the preaching of the Gospel of Christ to the nations, and the salvation of souls. The observations of John MacArthur in Strange Fire of the over-emphasis on gifts, ministries, anointing, prophecy, tongues, healing and other parts of the inner working of the Gospel to the neglect of preaching the Word and Christ should be a wake-up call to all of us.

***

As a fifth generation Bulgarian Pentecostal, which is somewhat rare in a post-Communist context, my last words to the cessationism of Strange Fire are the same I wrote on the back of a final exam at a Bible Belt Baptist College some 20 years ago:

My grandmother was baptized with the Holy Ghost at an all-night cottage prayer meeting at age six in a small southern town in Bulgaria in 1926; as after God healed her from tuberculosis at the same prayer meeting two years earlier. My mother was baptized with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues accompanied with the gift of prophecy at age 12. And then in 1990, God baptized me with the Holy Spirit, among many others at the first national gathering of Pentecostals in Bulgaria after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

After preaching for 25 years the Gospel of Salvation and Pentecost with the Biblical gifts of the Spirit, and having dedicated over ten years to higher education and three graduate degrees, with a scholarly certainty of my Biblical Pentecostal experience I can declare: “You’ve come to tell me there’s no Pentecost for today a bit too late!”

 

PR

Dennis Balcombe, originally from California, USA, has served as a missionary in Hong Kong and China for the past 45 years since 1969. He was one of the first missionaries to enter China when it opened in 1978, and much of his time is in China ministering in both official churches and home churches. He is the founder and senior pastor of Revival Christian Church in Hong Kong and serves with his wife Kathy, two children and the family of his daughter, Sharon and Samuel Lau.

Hanny Setiawan MBA/MA is a pastor at the Bethany Church of Solo Baru in of Surakarta, Indonesia. He holds an MBA in Management Information System degree from Bentley University in Boston and is currently working on MA in Community Development at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminar. He is currently fathering a national-wide youth movement and developing Indonesia Reformed Charismatic Institute and Praying Indonesia Movement. His strategic vision is for a new generation of revivalist in Indonesia in all spheres of ministry: business, media, art, politics and economy.

Marius Lombaard is an undergraduate student of theology at the University of South Africa (UNISA). He is married and aspires to major in New Testament studies. He also had extensive exposure to all the major mainline church denominations in South Africa, and speaks with considerable insight as to the ethos of all these denominations.

 

What made us Pentecostal?

Pentecostalism is a message for standing fast till the end. As Pentecostals, we preached this message before we had a sermon outline.

We went without knowing. We prayed without ceasing. We prophesied without seeing in the physical or even purposefully refusing to reckon with it.

We preached without a season, for preaching was the vibe of our ministry and the heartbeat of our churches. We preached because we had a testimony. We did not know how to say it, but we had something to say.

We did not know how to write a sermon, or a theological exposition, or an exegetical definition, or a leadership proposition, but we preached because we had an experience that NO sermon could recreate and no message could deliver.

We had met God upon the mountain and that personal meeting, that date with destiny, that divine appointment had become our source of life everlasting. And this is what made us Pentecostal.

Called & Empowered

Called & Empowered is a collection of essays that addresses a number of critical post-modern issues. The main purpose of the book is to introduce and answer problematic questions related to church and culture. A great addition is the compilation of in-depth cultural studies and recent theological developments viewed in Christian context. What made the book interesting for me personally was the presence of a number of well-balanced critical perspectives which were presented from different viewpoints. Because they were combined with different cultural factors, they were helpful in understanding the Global Mission of Pentecostalism. The supportive evidence focused on the Kingdom, culture, social formation and unity.

On the Kingdom of God
During the latter part of the twentieth century, the doctrine of the Kingdom of God was of great concern for many theologians and missiologists. In my short educational experience, I have been introduced to a number of works on the subject, some of which were quite controversial. However, it has been interesting to read about the Kingdom strategy of Jesus, along with the development of the Kingdom theology in the context of third world praxis. It seems that in both cases, it is reasonable to accept the fact that since the Kingdom of God was a prime concern in the ministry of Jesus, as well as in the ministry of John the Baptist and the apostles, it should carry the same importance in our Christian life and activities. Unfortunately, this may not be the observed reality in Christianity today. However, traditionally and historically, Pentecostal Christians have always focused on the Kingdom of God. A very particular example in this case is the already-not-yet proposal, which is directly associated with Kingdom theology.

On Gospel and Culture
This particular division in Called and Empowered has a very important discussion on the urbanization of the Pentecostal mission. Historically, Pentecostal revivals do not begin in huge urban centers and do not focus or attract them. It seems that such revivals occur mainly among people who are neither highly educated, nor economically prosperous. Also they do not occupy a high rank in the social hierarchy. It is only after they have had a period of successful existence as aggressively growing religious organizations that the Pentecostal Churches and ministries start aiming at the great cultural, economical and political urban centers. Such progressive development is evident in the Bible. Undeniably, the first move of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 was among uneducated people such as fishermen and tax collectors. Similar concern was expressed by Gentiles present in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. Nevertheless, shortly thereafter the Gospel was preached before kings, politicians, governors and military leaders. Therefore, what Pentecostalism rediscovers today is not a new blending of culture and Gospel, but rather a reclamation of the continuity of historical inheritance.

On Pentecostal Response to Marxism
A very good point was made by Dr. Kuzmic in his exposition on Marxism in relation to the existence of Pentecostalism. It is always quite disturbing when a parallel between Marx’s socialism and Christianity is being made. In Eastern Europe however, this idea is not as neoteric as proposed by some Western writers. In the early twentieth century Nikolay Berdyaev, one of the most prominent socialist writers, introduced what is considered probably the first comparison between Christianity and Marxism. The similarities are many: common wealth, economical and social balance, peace, brotherhood, ect. Also, communism in many ways imitates Christianity. Good examples are the establishment of the social and economical infrastructure of cultural communes, work unions and agricultural cooperatives which have common assets. A similar example is the almost “religious” dedication required by the Communist Party.

What is missed, however, is the simple fact that Marxism, different from Christianity, lacks God. As Dr. Kuzmic points out, Marx hated all gods, including Christ. Therefore, there is no room for comparison. If Communism is Christianity without Christ, it then stands far away from the whole idea of the existence of Christianity. This was shown through the enormous failure of communism in Eastern Europe. Since Dr. Kuzmic has personally experienced all of the above, his exposition on Marxism in relation to Pentecostalism assesses the true danger of such a parallel.

On Ecumenism and Pentecostal Mission
The last evidence is drawn from the discussion on Ecumenical Mission offered in Called & Empowered and my long-term relationship with the World Council of Churches. The World Council of Churches is one of the numerous organizations which promote worldwide Christian unity through reconciliation, theological dialogue, sharing of resources and the vision of a community life rooted in a particular cultural context.

The vision of the World Council of Churches is based on the common Christian mission of introducing Christ and Christianity to the world. I am persuaded that the future of World Missions is for Christians uniting with a common purpose for our Christian mission. Undoubtedly, such process will take time and mutual efforts. I am reminded of this as I observe my home country, Bulgaria where Protestant Christians are divided against one another and unity is lacking. Unified missions will not only bring oneness and harmony back into the church, but it will formulate the ecclesiastical community after the image of the Early Church from the Book of Acts. The results from such a unified mission will not only be world changing, but self-changing as well.

Mission Applications
The following part of this overview will include a mission application response to the evidences listed above. As it focuses on the Eastern European context, it will further suggest mission applications in the present Protestant reality in the region, and more specifically among the Bulgarian Pentecostals. The above four evidence accents were chosen among others because they all pertain to today’s Bulgarian Protestant reality. The kingdom of God as both present reality and eschatological hope takes a bit different perspective in a society where forty five years of Communist regime has left a deep scar on people’s mentality. Healing for the emotional and social wounds has not been provided by rapidly changing governments and political models, crime has increased, severe economical crises have occupied and there remains a constant fear and lack of hope for the future. In such context, the Kingdom of God is much more than a present reality or a future hope. It is all that the Protestant church in Bulgaria really has.

Gospel and culture are an essential part of Bulgarian missions work. On the Balkan Peninsula where Bulgaria is located, there are more than 150 languages and dialects spoken. Adding the crossroads of three world religions, three continents and constant migration of people that has been going on for thousands of years, makes this Europe’s melting pot of cultures and ethnoses. Discovering a paradigm which will serve as a buffer between the ever-changing Balkan culture and the eternal Gospel will be the ever-present factor that determines the success of Protestantism on the Balkans.

In Eastern European cultural and social context, the mentioning of Communism indeed has a different meaning. The Pentecostal church in Bulgaria historically and ideologically has opposed Communism in every form, and thus Pentecostal Christianity in Bulgaria must differentiate from Communism in order to remain in its historical distinctives. In order to be successful in its mission and message, and at the same time remain within its original identity, the Bulgarian Protestant movement must continue to oppose Communism in all of its forms.

The final evidence of ecumenism must be understood in Eastern European settings not only as an ecumenical cooperation of different religious formations, but as a union between all existing Protestant groups. As costly as such idea may seem, it will strengthen Eastern European Protestantism. Historically, in Bulgaria an organization called Bulgarian Evangelical Alliance (United Evangelical Churches) has served such purpose by preserving the identity of the denominations members. Such unity of cooperation must continue in even more strategic and planned ways in order to provide Bulgarians with the proper social context for national Protestant reformation and revival.

Pentecostal Bible Schools In the United States

• ACTS International Bible College in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Member of ACEA.
• Advanced Institute of Ministry in San Francisco. AIM is a member of ACEA.
• Advantage College in Sacramento, CA. International Pentecostal Holiness Church
• Advocate Institute of Advocate Ministries in Birmingham, Alabama area. Member of ACEA.
• All Nations Traning Center of Metro Christian Fellowship in Kansas City. ANTC offers the Transit School of Leadership, and the CPx church planting experience course.
• All Saints Bible College Sponsored by the International Church of God in Christ (COGIC), with headquarters in Memphis, TN.
• Alpha Bible College & Seminary “accredited Bible college through our affiliation with School of Bible Theology, San Jacinto, CA”.
• American Indian College Assemblies of God.
• Assemblies of God Theological Seminary
• Beulah Heights Bible College founded in 1918, the Southeast’s oldest Bible College. In Atlanta, Georgia.
• Bethany College of Scotts Valley, CA. Assemblies of God
• Bethesda Christian University Connecting Korea and America: a Pentecostal/charismatic Christian university for  Korean speaking students. Main campus in Anaheim, California (USA) and two extension campuses in Seoul, S. Korea.
• Black Hills Indian Bible College Assemblies of God.
• Brewer Christian College and Graduate School in Jacksonville, Florida.
• Brownsville Minisitry Training Center The Elisha Project: “offering a two-year program emphasizing hands-on, practical ministry and leadership training through fathering and mentoring from leaders passionate about discipleship.”
• Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, California. See also their Extension Campuses in the United States and around the world.
• Calvary Chapel Menifee School of Ministry in Menifee, California.
• Calvary Chapel Murrieta School of Ministry in Murrieta, California.
• Cathedral Bible College of Myrtle Beach, SC.
• Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. Assemblies of God.
• Central Theological College (Formerly Spectrum Bible College) offering two-year Bible program and a one-year ministry practicum.
• Charles H. Mason Seminary Part of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.
• Chico Extension of the Calvary Chapel Bible College in Chico, California.
• Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, TX.
• Christian Life College educating Pentecostal/charismatics for over 50 years in Chicago.
• Christian Life College in Stockton, California.
• Church of God Educational Institutions Links to ministry training centers affiliated with Church of God (Cleveland, TN) including Lee University; Pentecostal Theological Seminary(Formerly the Church of God Theological Seminary); Hispanic Institute of Ministry (El Instituto Ministerial Hispano) in Dallas, Texas;  Han Young Theological University (formerly Korean Theological College) in Seoul, Korea; European Bible Seminary; Colegio Biblico Pentecostal (Puerto Rico Bible College); and others.
• Coastland University affiliated with the Calvary Chapel fellowship of churches.
• Columbia Evangelical Seminary distance mentorship program and classroom setting in Buckley, WA.
• Cornerstone Bible Institute and Seminary in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Part of the apostolic and cell-based church movement Cornerstone Church and Ministries International and member of ACEA.
• Cornerstone School of Ministry operated by Cornerstone Chapel in Medina, Ohio.
• Cottonwood School of Ministry Part of the Cottonwood Christian Center in Los Alamitos, California.
• Covenant Bible College & Seminary (overseen by the Pentecostal Holiness Church of America).
• DOMATA School of Missions. Classes held at the Mark Brazee Ministries office complex in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
• East Texas Theological Seminary
• Elim Bible Institute in Lima, NY.
• Emmanuel Bible Institute of Ministry operated by Emmanuel Christian Center (Foursquare) in Salina, Kansas.
• Emmanuel College affiliated with International Pentecostal Holiness Church.
• Escondido Bible College Located in North San Diego County, California. Formerly Cathedral Bible College. Affiliated with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
• Eugene Bible College in Eugene, Oregon. Affliated with the Open Bible Churches headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa.
• Evangel University in Springfield, MO. Assemblies of God.
• Faith Christian Fellowship School Of Ministry
• Faith Chrisitan University with Main Campus in Orlando, Florida, extension campuses and internet distance learning.
• Faith School of Theology A ministry school in Charleston, Maine founded in 1959. A Berean Study Center (Assemblies of God curriculum).
• FIRE School of Ministry
• Florida Christian University Study in a classroom or in the distance learning program.
• For a complete list of Foursquare Bible Institutes, Colleges, and Schools of Ministry see their National Christian Education index. Numerous local churches offer institutes and certified ministry training including: Emmanuel Bible Institute of Ministry operated by Emmanuel Christian Center in Salina, KS; Angelus Bible Institute in Los Angelus, California; Institute of the Bible and Ministry operated by Living Way Fellowship in Littleton, Colorado; Hispanic Theological Institute of the Northwest in Wenatchee, Washington; Facultad de Teologia in Montebello, CA; New Life Foursquare Leadership Training Institute in Canby, Oregon; V.I.D.A. Instituto Biblico (A.B.I. Extension) in Chino, California; Yellowstone Valley Bible Instituteoperated by Faith Chapel in Billings, Montana; Praise School of Ministry in Los Angeles, California; Victory School of Ministry in Ada, Oklahoma; Logos in Moreno Valley, California; and many more. See the list for current contact information when website is not available.
• Free Gospel Bible Institute Over 45 years educating and preparing men and women for Pentecostal ministry, in Export, Pennsylvania.
• Full Gospel Baptist Bible Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Golden Springs Calvary Chapel Bible College extension campus at Calvary Chapel Golden Springs in Diamond Bar, California.
• Grace Bible College and Seminary in Roanoke, Alabama. Founded in 2003 by Bishop Lyndon B. Hutcherson. Offering distance and classroom instruction.
• Grace Bible School located on the campus of Word of Grace Church (pastored by Gary Kinnaman) in Mesa, Arizona.
• Grace Christian University A theological training program that offers affordable and accredited higher Christian education to build faith and develop culturally rooted Christians leaders around the world. On campus, correspondence, and extension campus programs available.
• Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. Also offering online degrees in Chinese.
• Greater Grace Bible College in Tacoma, Washington. Extension school of Maryland Bible College & Seminary.
• Healing River International School of Ministry Member of ACEA.
• Hebron Life Bible College & Seminary In Blanchard, OK. Founded by John & Sharon Rathbun.
• Heritage Bible College in Dunn, North Carolina. Affiliated with Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church
• Holmes Bible College Independent Bible College founded in 1896, in Greenville, SC. In ministry partnership with International Pentecostal Holiness Church.
• IHOPU Schools at the University include Forerunner School of Ministry and Forerunner Media Institute. Affiliated with Friends of the Bridegroom International and the International House of Prayer. In Kansas City, Missouri.
• IMI School of Ministry and Music
• Institute For Strategic Christian Leadership offers undergraduate and graduate levels classes in several regional campuses throughout the east coast.
• International Children’s Ministry Institute Campus in Litchfield, Illinois. Regularly conducting overseas schools in Russia, India, Thailand, and several African nations.
• Jacksonville Theological Seminary and Revelation Message Bible College
• Jubilee School of Ministry ministry training school by Jubilee Christian Fellowship in Fairfield, Iowa.
• The King’s College and Seminary Founded by Pastor Jack Hayford
• Kingswell Theological Seminary “Equiping leaders to build healthy churches and engage contemporary culture.”
• Latin American Bible Institute — Texas Assemblies of God residential institute in San Antonio, TX. Courses are offered in both  English and  Spanish.
• Latin American Bible Institute — California Assemblies of God residential institute in La Puente, California.   Bilingual and bicultural theological education.
• Lee University Affiliated with the Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee.
• L.I.F.E. Bible College Pentecostal/Charismatic Bible college founded in 1923 by Aimee Semple McPherson. Affliated with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
• L.I.F.E. Bible College East In Christiansburg, Virginia. Affliated with the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.
• Maryland Bible College & Seminary in Baltimore. Affiliated with Greater Grace World Outreach.
• Masters Commission USA The founding Masters Commission at Phoenix First Assembly of God.
• Master’s Institute operated by the International Lutheran Renewal Center
• Messenger College in Joplin, Missouri. Part of the Pentecostal Church of God.
• Metro Jackson Master’s Commission “This is a 9 month program for intense training to be a closer follower of Christ.”
• Ministry Training College residential training institute of Christian International Ministries, founded by Bill Hamon. Campus is in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
• Minnesota Graduate School of Theology
• Miracle Valley Bible College & Seminary Pentecostal Bible College and Seminary founded in 1958 by A. A. Allen.
• Monterey Bay Calvary Chapel Bible College extension campus at Calvary Chapel Monterey Bay in Monterey, California.
• MorningStar School of Ministry
• National Bible College and Seminary in Ft. Washington, Maryland.
• Native American Bible College Assemblies of God.
• New Beginnings School Of Ministry in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
• New England Foursquare Bible Institute Offering a diploma in Biblical Studies, taught by experienced local pastors. Classes are held at area churches, headquarters in Uxbridge, MA.
• New Hope Christian College New Hope Christian College in Eugene, Oregon and Pacific Rim Christian College in Honolulu, Hawaii are becoming one college in two locations: NHCC Eugene and NHCC Hawaii
• New Life Bible College in Cleveland, TN. Where “the bible is the only textbook used in the classroom.” Part of Norvel Hayes Ministries.
• New York Calvary Chapel Bible College extension campus at Harvest Christian Fellowship in New York City.
• North Central University in Minneapolis, Assemblies of God. Carlstrom Deaf Studies.
• Northwest College in Kirkland, WA. Assemblies of God.
• Old Bridge Calvary Chapel Bible College extension campus at Calvary Chapel Old Bridge in Old Bridge, New Jersey.
• Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
• Oregon College of Ministry a Foursquare Bible college formerly known as East Hill Institute of Ministry, in Gresham, Oregon.
• Patten University An interdenominational Christian liberal arts college in Oakland, CA. Affiliated with the Church of God (Cleveland, TN). Founded by Dr. Bebe Patten.
• Payne Bible College Founded in 1970, affilated with Christ International Churches. In Mississippi.
• Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity Based in the St. Louis, Missouri area, offering on-campus and distance learning programs. Member of ACEA.
• Pinecrest Bible Training Center An interdenominational, Full Gospel Bible school, in Salisbury Center, New York.
• Portland Bible College Church-affiliated college offering two and four-year degrees. Sponsored by City Bible Church, Frank Damazio, Pastor. Member of ACEA.
• Radical Change Bible College Online and local classes from Kissimmee, FL. Jason writes: “This fullgospel/charismatic school offers ministry degrees based on ministry experience and also trains in ministry. They have blessed me and my ministry vision.”
• Regent University Virginia Beach, VA.
• Rhema Bible Training Center Word of faith Bible institute in Tulsa, Oklahoma, founded by Kenneth Hagin.
• River City School of Ministry part of Family Christian Center in Orangevale, CA.
• River of Life School of Ministry In Rusk, Texas. Offering a two year Bible School program that trains students in missions, pastoral care, children’s and youth ministry, and worship.
• Samuel E Walker School of Ministry
• School of Bible Theology Undergraduate/Graduate Pentecostal Seminary affiliated with the Pentecostal Assemblies of God of America.
• School of the Local Church In Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded by Bob Yandian.
• Seattle Bible College “Where emerging leaders are transformed and equipped to change their world for Christ.”
• Simpson University in Redding, CA.
• Spirit Fire World Outreach School A church ministry school in Titusville, Florida.
• Southeastern College in Lakeland, FL. Assemblies of God.
• Southwestern Assembly of God University of Waxahachie, TX. Assemblies of God.
• Southwestern Christian University Formerly Southwestern College of Christian Ministries, in Bethany, Oklahoma. Affiliated with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. See alsoGraduate School of Southwestern Christian University
• St. Michael’s Seminary A ministry of the Charismatic Episcopal Church.
• South Texas Bible Institute
• Texas Bible Institute
• The Call School a division of Wagner Leadership Institute
• Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, ND. Assemblies of God.
• Trinity Episcopal School of Ministry
• Trinity Life Bible College in Sacramento, CA
• Tucson Theological Seminary Classroom and internet classes.
• University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii. Part of Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Programs include: Colleges of Communication, The Arts, Christian Ministries, Counselling & Health Care, Education, Science and Technologies, and Humanities and International Studies. There are also Discipleship Traning Schools for young adults and families as well as a Korean Discipleship Training School.
• Urban Harvest Theological Seminary
• Valley Forge Christian College in Phoenixville, PA. Assemblies of God.
• Valor Christian College Formerly known as World Harvest Bible College, founded by Pastor Rod Parsley.
• Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA. Assemblies of God. (Formerly Southern California College)
• Victory Bible Institute a ministry of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Founded by Billy Joe Daugherty.
• Victory School of Ministry operated by Victory Life Fellowship (Foursquare) in Ada, Oklahoma.
• Vineyard Leadership Institute Learn hands-on in this two year program in the context of a local church. Part of the Vineyard Church of Columbus.
• Wagner Leadership Institute Institute of practical ministry founded by C. Peter Wagner
• West Angeles Bible College Ministry school of West Angeles Church of God in Christ.
• Western Bible College of the Assemblies of God. In the Phoenix-Tucson area.
• Word and Spirit Institute Pentecostal Bible institute operated by Puget Sound Christian Center in Tacoma, Washington.
• World Center School of Ministry
• World Revival School of Ministry
• Youth With A Mission Search for Discipleship Training Schools Find up-to-date listings of ministry training opportunities worldwide. See also YWAM’s University of the Nations website.
• Yellowstone Valley Bible Institute operated by Faith Chapel (Foursquare) in Billings, Montana. 

Mission Bulgaria 2005-2012 Completed

We are currently finalizing our Mission Bulgaria project through a seven-year long commitment, which has touched the lives and ministries of over 250 local churches in the country of Bulgaria. Along with these congregations, our international ministry team has worked with the Bulgarian Diaspora churches in the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Spain, Germany and France. Six Bulgarian churches are currently operating in Cyprus and four in the U.K., as there are projections for the registration of other Bulgarian churches as well. It has been a journey worth taking.

In relation to our ministry work in Bulgaria in the period of 2005-2012, among many others we’ve completed these seven milestones:

1. The publication of a complete revision of the Bulgarian Bible

2. Completing a new literal translation of the Bulgarian New Testament from the original Greek including the four gospels, acts, epistles, and the apocalypse

3. Establishment of the Bulgarian Chaplaincy Association with the special recognition of the US Department of State

4. Foundation of the Masters of Chaplaincy Ministry Program for Eastern Europe

5. Our national X event for youth every summer since 2005, which is accompanied with a Bible Camp for young ministers and a national mobile educational strategy

6. Building a broadcasting network which supports LIVE streaming of services and events for over 20 Bulgarian congregations every week

7. Implemented a long-term church planting proposal for establishing Bulgarian ethnic congregations outside of Bulgaria

After completing 7 years of ministry in Bulgaria, we are publishing a detailed overview of our work and results in a soon to be published monograph called simply Confessions. This new book speaks of the lessons we’ve learned in the ministry and issues of church and politics within the religious life of the country we’ve struggled to resolve. It addresses:

• The separation of church and politics of false religiosity
• Entering an organic relationship with God
• Depending fully in the ministry of the Holy Spirit
• Renvisioning the reality of the Kingdom
• Raising a new Pentecostal generation
• Reliving His glory
• Leaving a legacy worth remembering

As we are celebrating our 7-year long accomplishment of Mission Bulgaria, we are reminded that in 2013 God is doing a new thing.

Presenting at the Society for Pentecostal Studies in Seattle Pacific University on “Historical and Doctrinal Formation of Holiness Teachings and Praxis among Bulgarian Pentecostals” (Part 1)

Presenting at the Society for Pentecostal Studies in Seattle on “Historical and Doctrinal Formation of Holiness Teachings and Praxis among Bulgarian Pentecostals” (Part 1)

Obama, Marxism and Pentecostal Identity

Time and time again in the past several years, while ministering in churches across the United States, friends and partners ask us about our opinion on the political situation at home and around the world. Many of them ask the direct question of America becoming more and more socialist-like. Our response is that while people have the right to own a business, there cannot be communism, but this barely scratches the surface.

“Looking over the Wall” answers this and many other important questions about the current global reality from a very distinct Pentecostal and the same time post communist point of view. Yet, the text does it in a way, which can actually relate to popular American culture and current economic reality. The book provides Christian answers as of what defines our identity and makes us human – a right communism strips from the persona, the family and the church without much regard of the consequences that follow.

But this drastic dehumanization has an almost irreversible effect on the human psyche – a slavery mentality that penetrates the very heart of men and women and leaves forever its mark of fear, depression and insecurity. The book traces how Pentecostalism as faith and ideology has the power to deliver post communist communities from the grasp of oppressive governments and transform them into a socially relevant culture changing force. At the same time, it remains a warning to theologians who dare to flirt with Marxist idealism being fulfilled in the context of the New Testament ecclesia. And rightfully so!

The book is a must read for any and all who are ministering or planning to minister in a post communist culture or among post communist groups regardless of their geographical locale. For the principles it shows are valid for post community mentality everywhere. Preview and purchase your copy directly at Amazon.com

Being Pentecostal Conference

Why I Decided to Publish Pentecostal Primitivism?

Dony K. Donev

Pentecostal Primitivism is the title of my master’s thesis completed over a decade ago. It was significant to me because the research changed my perspective on Pentecostalism completely. Traditionally, we have assigned our faith paradigm to the Wesleyan Quadrilateral. But Pentecostal faith is much simpler and straight forward. The Pentecostal experience simplified the way we see our faith, being less in our own reach and persecution of reality, and more in God’s control; less me-centered and more God-centered. Although it originates from Wesley’s renewal theology of sanctification, Pentecostals are not methodistic as Wesleyanism tends to be. With this in mind, I wrote Pentecostal Primitivism as a proposal for a 21st century reclaiming of the original model of Pentecostal faith, which could be described in the simplified triangular formula of power, prayer and praxis.

21st Century Revival of Study Bibles

We are undertaking the task of comparing and reviewing a growing number of Study Bibles appearing on the book market recently in what appear to be a 21st century Revival of Study Bibles. We will be including some classical titles as well, but overall this study will have three parts dealing with three distinct types of Study Bibles namely: (1) Non-Pentecostal, (2) Pentecostal and (3) Prophecy Related. The following titles are among the ones we have chosen to review in the course of the study:

I. Non-Pentecostal

1. Orthodox Study Bible – in relations to Eastern mysticism and its historical effect on the Pentecostal experience
2. Reformation Study Bible – within the scope of formation of evangelical identity among Pentecostals
3. Wesley Study Bible – with the purpose of studying the relations between Wesleyan-Holiness tradition and Pentecostal theology
4. C.S. Lewis Bible – in the scope of its relation to Pentecostal and Charismatic ethics and religious praxis
5. Maxwell Leadership Bible – as per its relations to the leadership paradigms involving and affecting Pentecostal and Charismatic communities
6. NetBible and its relations to general formations within Pentecostal Theology

II. Pentecostal

1. Spirit Filled Study Bible – written by leading Pentecostal scholars
2. Full Life Study Bible – classic Pentecostal and foundation for the youth oriented Fire Bible and the Life In The Spirit Study Bible
3. Word Study Bible – including selected teachings from Hagin, Copeland, Sumrall, Savelle, Hayes, Osborn, Wigglesworth, Kuhlman and McPherson
4. Kenneth Copeland Study Bible – considered as a fundamentalist Pentecostal teaching
5. Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible – as an introduction of Pentecostal ethics and praxis
6. Dake Study Bible – as a classic example on Pentecostalism and Last Days Prophecy coming together

III. Prophecy Related

1. Scofield Study Bible and its dispensational effect on early Pentecostals
2. John Hagee Prophecy Bible combining understanding of prophetic themes with doctrines of salvation, covenants, and questions about the Christian faith.
3. Jeffrey Prophecy Study Bible regarded as the most comprehensive prophecy study Bible
4. Tim LaHaye Prophecy Study Bible combining the knowledge of 48 leading Bible experts of prophecy
5. Jack Van Impe Prophecy Bible as a valuable source with a wealth of information on Bible prophecy
6. Perry Stone Hebraic/Prophetic Study Bible gleaning from 44,000 hours of Bible Study and produced within 34 years of ministry

F. Sanders (a.k.a. Theologue) has further compiled a comprehensive list of study Bibles, which we truly recommend.

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