Jerry Ireland - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Jerry Ireland

Journal of Pentecostal Theology, 2012

This study seeks to discover how African Traditional Religion (ATR) is viewed by Pentecostal chur... more This study seeks to discover how African Traditional Religion (ATR) is viewed by Pentecostal church leaders in Lusaka, Zambia. The convenience sample focused on fourteen Pentecostal churches of various denominational affiliations within the city of Lusaka, Zambia. A thirtyone-item survey tool, the Assessment of Traditional Religious Practices (ATRP), was developed and administered to 128 leaders regarding the prevalence of traditional religious practices among their congregants. The ATRP also assessed how these leaders typically respond to concerns related to ATR within their ministerial context. Findings indicated that traditional beliefs and practices continue to persist, though at nominal levels, within these churches. More importantly, a majority of these leaders feel adequately equipped to handle issues related to ATR because they understand their ministerial calling in terms of spiritual empowerment. The study concludes that the challenges presented by ATR regarding Christian discipleship continue to persist in local Pentecostal churches. However, leaders have employed a practical theological understanding of Pentecostalism, allowing them to overcome many of these same challenges.

Perichoresis: The Theological Journal of Emanuel University, Jul 1, 2019

Carl F. H. Henry has widely been acknowledged for his contributions to evangelical social concern... more Carl F. H. Henry has widely been acknowledged for his contributions to evangelical social concern. What has not been fully appreciated though is theological foundations that undergirded Henry's priority model as it relates to the relationship between the church social and evangelistic mandates. For Henry, the key to both was the doctrine of revelation, and this foundation enabled Henry to uniquely argue for both integration and prioritization. As such, Henry presents a challenge to many contemporary models of evangelism and social concern that set the two on an even plane by locating them within a kingdom rubric. Despite accusations that his theological method fosters information over transformation, Henry hold forth a revelation centered approach with Augustinian roots capable of guiding the contemporary church on the elusive issue of finding a biblical approach to its mission.

I would like to first thank a handful of professors who over the course of my academic career hav... more I would like to first thank a handful of professors who over the course of my academic career have inspired and challenged me. Dr. Daniel McNaughton especially helped me to see that academic excellence and deep spirituality can go hand-in-hand. In addition, Dr. Dwight Sheets also challenged me academically during my undergraduate studies to think deeply about Scripture and theology. I would especially like to thank my wife and daughter, who have patiently stood by me in this pursuit and made great sacrifices to allow me to follow what I still believe has been a divine calling. Also, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary deserves thanks for providing a PhD program that has been a perfect fit in both content and format. Among that faculty, I especially want to thank Dr. Leo Percer, my first contact with this program, who tirelessly and faithfully kept me informed and encouraged. Regarding the topic of this study, three individuals especially deserve mention: Dr.

PentecoStudies, Oct 13, 2019

This essay explores the way in which Luke presents tongues speech in Acts as the overcoming of cr... more This essay explores the way in which Luke presents tongues speech in Acts as the overcoming of crucial barriers to the forward movement of the Gospel in the Spirit's power to the nations. In contrast to the fairly recent turn to holistic missions among many Pentecostal scholars, I argue that glossolalia represents strong support in Luke's second volume for the narrow sense of missions that characterized the apostolic church and the beginnings of the modern Pentecostal movement. This perspective is argued for on the basis of the literary structure of Acts and various hindrances regarding the disciples movement to the nations.

Journal of Pentecostal Theology, Sep 14, 2019

Most contemporary Pentecostal missiologies advocate a move away from classical Pentecostalism’s h... more Most contemporary Pentecostal missiologies advocate a move away from classical Pentecostalism’s historic emphasis on the priority of evangelization (commonly described as the narrow sense of missions). In many ways this move parallels similar missiological perspectives among Evangelicals through the influence of the Lausanne Congresses between 1974 and 2010. In this essay the author argues that Scripture does not emphasize the church’s call to transform the world but the church’s need to be transformed itself within the world as a testimony of God’s abiding presence. Building especially on the work of Paul Pomerville, Johannes Blauw, and Harry Boer, the author offers a fresh take on an old missiology, one in which the church in the age of the Spirit must especially be understood in light of God’s concern for the nations.

Perichoresis, 2019

Carl F. H. Henry has widely been acknowledged for his contributions to evangelical social concern... more Carl F. H. Henry has widely been acknowledged for his contributions to evangelical social concern. What has not been fully appreciated though is theological foundations that undergirded Henry’s priority model as it relates to the relationship between the church social and evangelistic mandates. For Henry, the key to both was the doctrine of revelation, and this foundation enabled Henry to uniquely argue for both integration and prioritization. As such, Henry presents a challenge to many contemporary models of evangelism and social concern that set the two on an even plane by locating them within a kingdom rubric. Despite accusations that his theological method fosters information over transformation, Henry hold forth a revelation centered approach with Augustinian roots capable of guiding the contemporary church on the elusive issue of finding a biblical approach to its mission.

Journal of Pentecostal Theology, 2019

PentecoStudies: An Interdisciplinary Journal for Research on the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements

Perichoresis, 2019

Carl F. H. Henry has widely been acknowledged for his contributions to evangelical social concern... more Carl F. H. Henry has widely been acknowledged for his contributions to evangelical social concern. What has not been fully appreciated though is theological foundations that undergirded Henry’s priority model as it relates to the relationship between the church social and evangelistic mandates. For Henry, the key to both was the doctrine of revelation, and this foundation enabled Henry to uniquely argue for both integration and prioritization. As such, Henry presents a challenge to many contemporary models of evangelism and social concern that set the two on an even plane by locating them within a kingdom rubric. Despite accusations that his theological method fosters information over transformation, Henry hold forth a revelation centered approach with Augustinian roots capable of guiding the contemporary church on the elusive issue of finding a biblical approach to its mission.

Journal of Pentecostal Theology, 2019

Missio Africanus: Journal of African Missiology, 2019

This essay explores the way in which the New Testament concept of koinonia informs and offers a c... more This essay explores the way in which the New Testament concept of koinonia informs and offers a corrective to both Western individualism in missions and the African concept of 'ubuntu'. I argue for the need of indigenous expressions of compassion arising from a contextualized ecclesiology and missiology that flow from the Spirit's work within the church.

ABSTRACT: This paper explores ways in which compassionate missions can help plant local churches ... more ABSTRACT: This paper explores ways in which compassionate missions can help plant local churches that have a vision for cross-cultural ministry. In exploring this question, the author utilizes Ralph Winter’s distinction between modalities—referring to local churches with a broad and inclusive mission, and sodalities—defined more narrowly as the missions band with a specific cross-cultural focus. This helpful differentiation is then applied to the need for engaging in compassionate missions in ways that strengthen the capacity of local churches rather than in ways that might rob local congregations of their role as salt and light in the community (Matt. 5:13-14). The thesis presented here is that the emergence of missionary bands (sodalities) among missions receiving churches happens in part when local congregations demonstrate compassion and service in the community and thereby cultivate concern for the other (solidarity). As local believers discover solidarity with one another, with their neighbors, and even with their enemies, they also discover the motivation and empowerment necessary for taking the Gospel to those who have not yet heard (Gal. 6:19; John 13:34; Matt. 5:43). This pattern can be found by examining Acts 11-13, wherein the church at Antioch becomes one of the first missions receiving and missions sending churches in the New Testament. This church sends Paul and Barnabas out, however, only after engaging in an indigenous compassionate response regarding a coming famine. This compassionate response, furthermore, appears to have been set in motion by the teaching/equipping ministry of Paul and Barnabas. Important implications follow regarding the way in which missionaries engage in compassionate missions. In particular, missionaries should avoid engaging in compassionate missions in ways that might hinder the development of solidarity among local believers and the formation of indigenous sodalities.

This is a review essay of Jerry L. Walls "Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory: A Protestant View of the C... more This is a review essay of Jerry L. Walls "Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory: A Protestant View of the Cosmic Drama" (Brazos Press, 2015).

Journal of Pentecostal Theology, 2012

Perichoresis: The Theological Journal of Emanuel University, Jul 1, 2019

PentecoStudies, Oct 13, 2019

Journal of Pentecostal Theology, Sep 14, 2019

Perichoresis, 2019

Carl F. H. Henry has widely been acknowledged for his contributions to evangelical social concern... more Carl F. H. Henry has widely been acknowledged for his contributions to evangelical social concern. What has not been fully appreciated though is theological foundations that undergirded Henry’s priority model as it relates to the relationship between the church social and evangelistic mandates. For Henry, the key to both was the doctrine of revelation, and this foundation enabled Henry to uniquely argue for both integration and prioritization. As such, Henry presents a challenge to many contemporary models of evangelism and social concern that set the two on an even plane by locating them within a kingdom rubric. Despite accusations that his theological method fosters information over transformation, Henry hold forth a revelation centered approach with Augustinian roots capable of guiding the contemporary church on the elusive issue of finding a biblical approach to its mission.

Journal of Pentecostal Theology, 2019

PentecoStudies: An Interdisciplinary Journal for Research on the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements

Perichoresis, 2019

Carl F. H. Henry has widely been acknowledged for his contributions to evangelical social concern... more Carl F. H. Henry has widely been acknowledged for his contributions to evangelical social concern. What has not been fully appreciated though is theological foundations that undergirded Henry’s priority model as it relates to the relationship between the church social and evangelistic mandates. For Henry, the key to both was the doctrine of revelation, and this foundation enabled Henry to uniquely argue for both integration and prioritization. As such, Henry presents a challenge to many contemporary models of evangelism and social concern that set the two on an even plane by locating them within a kingdom rubric. Despite accusations that his theological method fosters information over transformation, Henry hold forth a revelation centered approach with Augustinian roots capable of guiding the contemporary church on the elusive issue of finding a biblical approach to its mission.

Journal of Pentecostal Theology, 2019

Missio Africanus: Journal of African Missiology, 2019

The Missionary Spirit: Evangelism and Social Action in Pentecostal Missiology, 2021

Argues for a return to the early emphasis in Pentecostal missiology on the need for cross-cultura... more Argues for a return to the early emphasis in Pentecostal missiology on the need for cross-cultural evangelism, as opposed to the current trend that focuses on a broader, more amorphous understanding of Pentecostal missiology (as “everything that God is doing in the world”). Instead of separating “mission from missions, or the broad sense of mission from the narrow sense,” Ireland says that both senses of mission “should be held together in tension and in fact were in early Pentecostalism.”

The Missionary Spirit: Evangelism and Social Action in Pentecostal Missiology, 2021

Chapters one and two of this edited volume published earlier this year by Wipf and Stock. This te... more Chapters one and two of this edited volume published earlier this year by Wipf and Stock. This text provides a theological and practical guide to engaging in compassion in cross-cultural contexts.

This edited volume describes the foundational principles and best practices for compassionate mis... more This edited volume describes the foundational principles and best practices for compassionate missions and participation in the missio Dei. Topics covered include human trafficking, orphans and vulnerable children, widow abuse, justice for women, unreached people groups, and economic development.

Any understanding of global Christianity must take account of the nature of African Pentecostalis... more Any understanding of global Christianity must take account of the nature of African Pentecostalism. This paper explores the paradoxical potential of African Pentecostalism(s) to both foster secularism and to counter it. In this study I argue that the two dominant strands of Pentecostalism in Africa are what I am calling ‘prosperity Pentecostalism’ and ‘missional Pentecostalism.’ As such, these represent diametrically opposite approaches to what it means to be Pentecostal. I therefore argue that classical Pentecostalism both in the West and in Africa has historically been defined by missions. I conclude by offering five theses regarding the future of African Pentecostalism that focus on the impact of these two different approaches.

This paper describes the way in which Carl F. H. Henry's theology of evangelism and social concer... more This paper describes the way in which Carl F. H. Henry's theology of evangelism and social concern defies contemporary models. Henry does this by articulating a revelational epistemology that both prioritizes evangelism but necessitates social concern. Henry's position challenges some commonly held beliefs regarding missional priorities and necessities such as those articulated by South African missiologist David Bosch.

This paper is the pre-pub version of a chapter for a forthcoming book on African Missiology. It d... more This paper is the pre-pub version of a chapter for a forthcoming book on African Missiology. It deals with the notion of African forms of compassion and how those intersect with the biblical notion of community or koinōnia. I argue that missionary-driven forms of compassion tend to bypass or trample on Africa's deep rooted traditions of community and that this can be overcome by Westerners taking less direct role in social justice issues in Africa.

This paper explores two dominant strands of African Pentecostalism, described as "prosperity Pent... more This paper explores two dominant strands of African Pentecostalism, described as "prosperity Pentecostalism," and "missional Pentecostalism," and argues that these respectively represent secularizing and anti-secularizing potential within African Pentecostal Christianity. After observing connecting between Max Weber's Protestant Ethic and certain aspects of the prosperity gospel, this study argues for the value of emic theological definitions to distinguish various strands of the Pentecostal movement in Africa, and contrasts the potential of these two strands regarding African Pentecostalism's growing role on the continent and around the globe.