"Trinity After Pentecost" considers the triune God from a Pentecostal viewpoint. In so doing, it offers a fresh articulation of the theology of the Trinity, taking the Holy Spirit as its starting point. It concludes that the Trinity cannot be adequately appreciated using any single model - whether social, modal, or psychological. Instead, it presents three models - relational, instrumental, and substantial - that must be held in paradoxical tension with one another to gain insight into the Trinity. Of these, the relational model is the foremost. Pentecost offers rich potential for seeing the relations between the Father, the Son and the Spirit as a dynamic reciprocal 'dance', in which each Person empties their 'self ' in order to exalt the others. William P. Atkinson is Director of Research and a Senior Lecturer in Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at the London School of Theology. He is author of the award-winning "The 'Spiritual Death' of Jesus" (2009) and "Baptism in the Spirit" (The Lutterworth Press, 2012). "This is an excellent book written in a lucid and lively manner. It makes an important and original contribution to Trinitarian theology from the perspective of Pentecost. . . . It is a must-read for all students and scholars of contemporary pentecostal and charismatic theology." Mark J. Cartledge, Director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies, University of Birmingham. "Mysterious yet illuminating Paradoxical yet clarifying Opaque yet brilliant Atkinson shows that starting with the Spirit poured out at Pentecost opens up multiple dissonant and yet altogether coherent tongues and pathways toward a dynamic, perichoretic, and relational theology of the Trinity that anticipates the fullness of eschatological divine glory. No longer is the Spirit the shy, hidden, or neglected Trinitarian member." Amos Yong, Professor of Theology and Dean, School of Divinity, Regent University.

Jesus before Pentecost studies the history of Jesus' ministry from William P. Atkinson's Pentecostal perspective. This perspective affects both his method and the book's content. In terms of method, Atkinson puts forward a strong argument for looking carefully at John's Gospel, as well as the synoptic gospels, as a reliable historical source for Jesus' life. In terms of content, his main areas of study follow key Pentecostal interests, summed up in the "foursquare" Pentecostal rubric of Jesus as Saviour, Healer, Baptiser in the Spirit, and Soon-Coming King. The picture that emerges offers fresh insights into Jesus' life: notably, the symbolic meaning Jesus invested in the feeding of the five thousand; the effect that Jesus' approach to healing the sick had on Him; the involvement of God's Spirit in His life and in the lives of those around Him; and, lastly, His enigmatic predictions of his future coming. Overall, the study is both academically rigorous and warmly engaging. It will appeal to anyone who is interested in Jesus, regardless of whether or not they are associated with the Pentecostal tradition.

This book is about that treasured doctrine of Pentecostalism: baptism in the Holy Spirit, understood as a work subsequent to conversion to Christ. Since the British theologian James Dunn's publication of his influential work Baptism in the Holy Spirit, there has been heated response from Pentecostals in defense of the doctrine. Key players are Roger Stronstad, Howard Ervin, David Petts, James Shelton, Robert Menzies, and ex-Pentecostal Max Turner. This book reviews Pentecostal criticisms of Dunn with respect to Luke-Acts, concluding that Pentecostals are right: for Luke, receiving the Spirit was not the inception of new covenant life. It was a powerful enabling for prophecy and miracles; for the church's outward mission and its internal life. After placing Luke-Acts in a wider canonical context, the book closes with some practical lessons from Luke-Acts for today's Pentecostal churches.

This book views the triune God from a Pentecostal viewpoint. In so doing, it offers a fresh articulation of the theology of the Trinity that starts with Pentecost and with the Spirit. It concludes that the Trinity cannot be adequately appreciated using any single model--whether social, modal, or psychological. Instead, it presents three models--relational, instrumental, and substantial--that need to be held in paradoxical tension with one another. Of these, the relational is the foremost. Pentecost offers rich potential for seeing these relations between the Father, the Son, and the Spirit as a dynamic reciprocal "dance" in which each person empties self in order to exalt the other. "This is an excellent book written in a lucid and lively manner. It makes an important and original contribution to Trinitarian theology from the perspective of Pentecost. . . . It is a must-read for all students and scholars of contemporary pentecostal and charismatic theology." --Mark J. Cartledge, Director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies, University of Birmingham, UK "Mysterious yet illuminating Paradoxical yet clarifying Opaque yet brilliant Atkinson shows that starting with the Spirit poured out at Pentecost opens up multiple dissonant and yet altogether coherent tongues and pathways toward a dynamic, perichoretic, and relational theology of the Trinity that anticipates the fullness of eschatological divine glory. No longer is the Spirit the shy, hidden, or neglected Trinitarian member." --Amos Yong, Professor of Theology and Dean, School of Divinity, Regent University "Atkinson's call for a pneumatological Trinitarianism is reminiscent of Basil of Caesarea, who, among the early church fathers, warned against failing to appreciate the full deity of the Spirit as the third person of the Trinity. Atkinson shows that without an adequate understanding of the Holy Spirit given to the church on the day of Pentecost, one's theology of God is defective and one's worship of the triune God is diminished. This book is lucidly written and a joy to read." --Laurence W. Wood, Professor of Theology and Wesley Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary "Trinity After Pentecost is further evidence, if proof was needed, that pentecostal theology has come of age. With expert skill, William Atkinson explores the doctrine of the Trinity from the unusual angle of Pentecost. Like a wise tour guide, he takes his readers step-by-step and leads them to some adventurous conclusions. Theologians and practitioners, Pentecostals and non-Pentecostals will be enriched by reading this cleverly titled, engagingly written, and thought-provoking book." --Derek Tidball, Former Principal, London School of Theology, Past President of Baptist Union of Great Britain William P. Atkinson is Director of Research and a Senior Lecturer in Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at the London School of Theology. He is author of the award-winning The "Spiritual Death" of Jesus (2009) and Baptism in the Spirit (2011).

Synopsis: This book is about that treasured doctrine of Pentecostalism: baptism in the Holy Spirit, understood as a work subsequent to conversion to Christ. Since James Dunn's publication of Baptism in the Holy Spirit, there has been heated response from Pentecostals in defense of the doctrine. Key players are Roger Stronstad, Howard Ervin, David Petts, James Shelton, Robert Menzies, and ex-Pentecostal Max Turner. This book reviews Pentecostal criticisms of Dunn with respect to Luke-Acts, concluding that Pentecostals are right: for Luke, receiving the Spirit was not the inception of new covenant life. It was a powerful enabling for prophecy and miracles; for the church's outward mission and its internal life. After placing Luke-Acts in a wider canonical context, the book closes with some practical lessons from Luke-Acts for today's Pentecostal churches. Endorsement: "In Baptism in the Spirit Atkinson tackles afresh the controversial and sometimes divisive doctrine of the same name. Deftly and with mature even-handedness the author canvasses four decades of scholarship on the subject. He is generous in giving credit where it is due and is equally forthright in giving criticism where he believes it is due. This is a must read for those informed laypersons, pastors, theological students, and scholars who are seeking a clearer understanding of the doctrine of baptism in the Holy Spirit." -Roger Stronstad Biblical Theology Director Summit Pacific College "A correct understanding of what it means to be baptized in the Holy Spirit is of vital importance, not only to the Pentecostal Movement, but to the entire Christian Church of the twenty-first century. William Atkinson's book is a valuable contribution to the discussion, summarizing and critiquing the views of key Pentecostal scholars in relation to Dunn and offering a refreshing conclusion of its own. It will undoubtedly prove essential reading for Pentecostal scholars and Bible College students alike." -David Petts Honorary Academic Fellow, University of Wales "No single book can offer a comprehensive academic reflection on the subject of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, I consider this work as a useful manual on the academic presentations of this doctrine. One may not agree with all the arguments William Atkinson has raised but I do recommend this book as an essential reading for all those who are eager to understand the New Testament doctrine of the Spirit Baptism." -Opoku Onyinah, Chairman Church of Pentecost, Ghana "Atkinson has done a superb job of synthesizing and evaluating key elements of the 'Dunn Debate.' To borrow a phrase from a cable network, this book is 'fair and balanced.' It should be required reading for all students preparing for Pentecostal ministry. And I strongly encourage all ministers who identify themselves as Pentecostal or charismatic to read it." -Anthony D. Palma Emeritus Professor of New Testament Assemblies of God Theological Seminary Author Biography: William P. Atkinson is a Pentecostal minister in Essex, England and Associate Research Fellow at the London School of Theology. He is the author of the award-winning The "Spiritual Death" of Jesus (2009).

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.

This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature.