While there are many diatribes against the modern Word of Faith Movement and as many defenses of it, little scholarly work has investigated, analyzed, and compared and contrasted modern faith teaching with earlier evangelical writers. Only Believe is such a ground-breaking book written for non-specialists and scholars. Among its many accomplishments, Only Believe . . . * theologically engages both the teachings of the Word of Faith Movement and their critics, examining from the unique viewpoint of the elliptical nature of truth the counter-polarities of faith teaching and practice; * traces the origins of faith teachings such as revelation knowledge, logos and rhema, point of contact, seed faith, faith as a law and a force, covenant rights and inheritance, positive confession, and attitudes toward doctors and medicine through the church fathers, mystics, reformers, Pietists, Puritans, and the 19th-century Wesleyan, Keswick, and Higher Life holiness and healing movements; * draws upon the faith teachings and practices of a wide variety of theological and denominational backgrounds: Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian/Reformed, Episcopalian/Anglican, Lutheran, Congregationalist, holiness, Brethren, Catholic, Pentecostal/charismatic, and many others; * highlights positive, balanced principles and models of faith of respected evangelical leaders, guiding the reader away from questionable teaching and practice and yet encouraging a walk by faith that is both strong and sound; * contains a treasure house of preaching, teaching, Bible study, examples of faith, and research material.

"Concrete, accessible, actionable help in the most important challenge of human living."--JOHN ORTBERG, founder, BecomeNew.Me Having spent years of his life studying the Holy Spirit, renowned theologian and acclaimed author Jack Levison shares the seven secrets to a fuller, deeper and more powerful relationship with the Spirit.  Packed with biblical insights, practical strategies, focused prayers, Scripture meditations and rich reflections, each short, energizing chapter will fuel your spiritual growth, empowering you to · break out of the familiar · experience your own personal Pentecost · cultivate healthy habits that strengthen the Spirit-filled life · connect with the heart of the Spirit A season of breakthrough awaits you. Here is your guide to embracing the Spirit-filled life--and discovering the Helper who fills you up, pours you out and transforms the world through you. "Jack Levison opens secrets of the Spirit-filled life from across the pages of Scripture and gives us seven pathways for living the Spirit-filled life. What a gift!"--AMOS YONG, professor, theology and mission, Fuller Seminary "What a terrific guide for living the Spirit-filled life! I highly recommend this book."--ADAM HAMILTON, senior pastor, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas; author, Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws

This edited book offers an engaging portrait into a vital, religious movement inside this southern Africa country. It tells the story of a community of faith that is often overlooked in the region. The authors include leading scholars of religion, theology, and politics from Botswana and Zimbabwe. The insights they present will help readers understand the place of Pentecostal Christianity in this land of many religions. The chapters detail a history of the movement from its inception to the present. Chapters focus on specific Pentecostal churches, general doctrine of the movement, and the movement's contribution to the country. The writing is deeply informed and features deep historical, theological, and sociological analysis throughout. Readers will also learn about the socio-political and economic relevance of the faith in Zimbabwe as well as the theoretical and methodological implications raised by the Pentecostalisation of society. The volume will serve as a resource book both for teaching and for those doing research on various aspects of the Zimbabwean society past, present, and future. It will be a good resource for those in schools and university and college departments of religious studies, theology, history, politics, sociology, social anthropology, and related studies. Over and above academic and research readers, the book will also be very useful to government policy makers, non-governmental organizations, and civic societies who have the Church as an important stakeholder.