The Study of Biblical Theology: Global Pentecostalism

Dear Colleagues,

It started from the embers of the holiness movement in the 18^th century. A spark at a small Bible school in Topeka, Kansas on January 1, 1901 started a fire which burned in the hearts of women and men of different color, status, and denominational affiliation. This small flame found fuel at an old abandoned warehouse turned worship center on Azusa Street in Los Angeles, California in 1906, which produced a blaze. This “fire of the Holy Spirit” swept across the world in less than a decade. The movement grew so fast that by the end of the 20^th century, one prominent Pentecostal/Charismatic scholar labelled it “The Century of the Holy Spirit.”  Statistics show that 27% of all Christians refer to themselves as Pentecostal or Charismatic (P/C). Globally, one in every twelve persons (8.4%) identify as P/C. Since this religious phenomenon has spread so vastly and rapidly, biblical theology is straining to converge. The last half century has produced many Pentecostal scholars as well as critics. The theological range along the P/C spectrum varies as much as its adherents. Is it time for a new “Reformation,” a Pentecostal Reformation, where the Pentecostals and Charismatics who assert biblical authority revisit the Bible and biblical theology for guidance and clarity? This Special Issue of Religion aspires to offer biblical and theological scholars across the spectrum to engage this worldwide phenomenon, and to contribute to what one might refer to as a “Pentecostal Reformation.”

We seek submissions from those whose academic work and/or professional ministry contributes to understanding, interpreting, and constructively critiquing Pentecostalism and the Charismatic movement from a biblical-theological perspective. The range of this Special Issue on the study of Biblical Theology and Pentecostalism comprises the Holiness movement of the 19^th century, the rapid spread of Pentecostalism across the world in the 20^th century (especially the impact of the Azusa Street revival), the leadership—particularly minorities and women—who propelled the movement, the global impact of Pentecostalism, and the requisite for reform as it continues its growth into the 21^st century. This embraces especially any focus on the minorities and women who impacted the advancement of Pentecostalism. The purpose is to interpret global Pentecostalism from the perspective of biblical theology and to offer aspects of reforming, refining, or refocusing the movement to the biblical authority which most of its proponents adhere.  

Prof. Ken L. Young
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• Pentecostalism
• Charismatic
• Azusa Street Revival
• Global Church Growth/Missions
• William Seymour
• women (or female) and minority leaders in Pentecostalism