Pentecostal theology and the theological vision of New Testament Wright : a conversation

The theological work and vision of New Testament scholar N.T. Wright is justifiably well-known across the academy and the church. In this volume a variety of Pentecostal biblical and theological scholars engage his work on many points including: identification of the broad implications of his work for Pentecostals (Jeffrey S. Lamp), Wright’s view of Jesus’ self-understanding (Chris E.W. Green), the pneumatological dimensions of his hermeneutical method (Timothy Senapatiratne), the relationship between Wright’s view of justification and the ‘Cry of the Spirit’ (Rick Wadholm Jr), the relationship between justification and the Spirit (Frank D. Macchia), reading Paul through the lens of Dispensationalism (Glen W. Menzies), the communion of the Saints in Wright’s eschatological perspective (Janet Meyer Everts), and the present mission of the church in the world (Jeffrey S. Lamp). The Preface to the book is offered by Amos Yong. The volume concludes with an extended response to these studies by N.T. Wright where he enters into constructive conversation with his Pentecostal dialogue partners, a conversation that is certain to continue. Contents 9 Preface 11 Amos Yong* 11 Introduction 17 N.T. Wright - Right or Wrong for Pentecostals? A Survey of His Thought and Its Implications for Pentecostals 23 Introduction 23 Paul’s Theological Framework according to Wright 24 Wright and the Pentecostals 38 Conclusion 41 Who Do I Say I Am?’ A Constructive Critique of N.T. Wright’s View of Jesus’ Self-Understanding 43 Who Does N.T. Wright’s Jesus Say He Is? 44 Jesus as Israel and YHWH-in-Person 44 Conclusions 51 What to Do with Wright’s Jesus? A Pentecostal Theological Response 52 A Pneumatological Addition to N.T. Wright’s Hermeneutic Done in the Pentecostal Tradition 60 Critical Realism 62 Wright’s Historical Problem 64 Wright’s Problematic Solution 66 A Pentecostal Approach to Hermeneutics 67 Pneumatological Solution 71 Conclusion 75 N.T. Wright’s ‘Justification’ and the Cry of the Spirit 76 Wright’s Justification and Its Pneumatological Orientation 78 The Cry of the Spirit in Romans 8.15 and Galatians 4.6 85 Toward a Spirit - Trinitarian - Theology of Justification 88 Justification and the Spirit: An Appreciative Interaction with N.T. Wright 92 Assessing N.T. Wright’s Reading of Paul Through the Lens of Dispensationalism 101 Why This Analysis Is Significant for Pentecostals 102 Dissecting Dispensationalism 103 Reprising Wright 106 Wright and Dispensationalism 118 Assessment 120 Faith, Hope, and Love: The Communion of Saints Seen from N.T. Wright’s Eschatological Perspective 123 The Traditional Doctrine of the Communion of Saints At the Time of the Apostles’ Creed 126 Medieval Development of the Doctrine 126 At the Time of the Reformation 127 N.T. Wright’s Rethinking of the Tradition 129 Faith, Hope, and Love - Abiding in the Communion of Saints 132 Conclusion 139 Wright’s View of the Mission of the Church in the World The Future Hope according to Wright 141 A Pentecostal Engagement with Wright’s Views on the Mission of the Church in the World 150 Pentecostal Views on the Mission of the Church 150 Conclusion 155 The Word and the Wind: A Response N.T. Wright* 157 Jeffrey S. Lamp: Wright or Wrong? 160 Chris Green: Jesus’ Self-Understanding 164 Timothy Senapatiratne: Worldview and Hermeneutics 176 Rick Wadholm Jr.: Justification and the Cry of the Spirit 182 Frank D. Macchia: Justification and the Spirit 183 Glen W. Menzies: The Dispensational Lens 185 Janet Meyer Everts: The Communion of Saints 190 Jeffrey Lamp: Mission and Inaugurated Eschatology 192 Bibliography 195 Index of Authors 206 Pentecostal l heology and The Theological Vision of 208