The use of natural gender in the New Testament Greek and English: A preliminary study.
Gender of the Holy Spirit The debate about the gender of the Holy Spirit is a result of varying translations of scriptural passages and subtleties in language. Grammar-wise, the Hebrew word "Ruach" (ר֫וּחַ), which is frequently used to refer to the Spirit, is feminine. Grammar-wise, "Pneuma" (πvεῦμα) in Greek is neuter, whereas "Spiritus" (πvεῦμα) in Latin is masculine. Genders in other languages English doesn't organize nouns based upon gender, in contrast to French and Italian languages where every single noun are allocated a gender. For example, "book" (le livre) is masculine while "table" (la table) is[...]
Reframing the House: Constructive Feminist Global Ecclesiology for the Western Evangelical Church
Listen to the blog Jennifer Buck's book, Reframing the House: Constructive Feminist Global Ecclesiology for the Western Evangelical Church, offers a critical examination of what she identifies as incomplete and one-dimensional ecclesiological frameworks presented by Western theologians to Western audiences. Drawing on the perspectives of three feminist theologians from the Global South, Buck critiques the systemic and systematic neglect by the Western church of the broader global realities in its limited ecclesiological formulations. The Review The three theologians whose voices Buck amplifies are Maria Pilar[...]
Pentecostal Ecclesiology: An Essay on the Development of Doctrine
Simon Chan's book, 'Pentecostal Ecclesiology: An Essay on the Development of Doctrine', presents a thoroughly researched argument emphasizing Pentecostals' need to cultivate a robust ecclesiology to facilitate genuine traditioning and doctrinal development. Chan contends that constructing a Pentecostal ecclesiology does not necessitate starting from the ground up. He critiques the Pentecostal belief that engaging solely with "God's word" and "God's world" is sufficient for constructive theology. The Review This Pentecostal belief, which divorces doctrine from its ecclesial context, mirrors a characteristic feature of scholastic Protestantism and Evangelicalism. As a result, Pentecostals, influenced by these[...]
Christianity as a World Religion: An Introduction
Sebastian Kim and Kirsteen Kim's Christianity as a World Religion: An Introduction situates Christianity within its global context, with a particular focus on its diverse manifestations at the grassroots level, which constitutes the central concern of the text. Organized by geographical region, the book covers Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania. The Review Within each context, the authors explore four interrelated dimensions of Christianity: its historical development, ecclesiastical and cultural theologies, interreligious and communal relations, and distinctive forms of worship. The text is further enriched with expanded chapters,[...]
Proposals for climate action
We live at a point in history where, if the present generation does not react to this situation or re-purpose and re-focus our actions, we might not have a just world for our children to live in. They are looking towards a perpetual norm of wearing masks and carrying umbrellas for the risk of acid rain, with no sunshine, rainbows, or beautiful clouds. Here are some actions that make scientific and sociological sense now, which may or may not look the same in the future. How can we take action, personally? All newly constructed or purchased buildings must have[...]
Spiritual reasons for inter-religious action on climate change
This article seeks to prove to a Protestant/Evangelical congregation that it is time for the church to recognize the dire situation that we are in with respect to climate and environmental change. After creating a dialogue with a historical-scientific argument, we now lay a theological basis for engagement with creation care, including Native American ‘harmony’ ethics, Missio Dei applied to climate justice. The Cape Town Commitment marks a significant milestone. It details how the issue of climate advocacy and ecological responsibility has moved from the fringes and into the mainstream. The chapter “WE LOVE GOD’S WORLD" illustrates some of[...]
The Term “Pneuma” and the Holy Spirit’s Gender
In the New Testament, the Greek term "pneuma" (πνεῦμα) translates to "spirit" and is equivalent to the Hebrew word "ruach" (ר֫וּחַ). Both terms describe the Holy Spirit, but the cultural and linguistic backgrounds of Greek and Hebrew shape how we understand the Spirit, particularly in terms of gender and personhood. It seems it is apparent and obvious to some folks today that the Holy Spirit being female, but we must understand more. Linguistic Background of "Pneuma" Neuter Gender in Greek: In Greek, "pneuma" is a neuter noun, meaning it does not have a masculine or feminine grammatical gender.[...]
Creation Care and our Moral Imperative
This article seeks to prove to a Protestant/Evangelical congregation that it is time for the church to recognize the dire situation that we are in with respect to climate and environmental change. It creates a dialogue starting with a historical-scientific argument, then lays a theological basis for engagement with creation care, including Native American ‘harmony’ ethicsIt seeks to prove that to live missiologically in today’s age is to be environmentally responsible too. There are no two options, and this is a time to act. Part I: What is the issue, and why the sense of urgency? The historical trajectory[...]
Pneumatology and it’s theological implications in South India
In this post, we endeavor to understand the work of the Holy Spirit within the Indian spiritual context – the challenges that indigenous Indians face and how the Holy Spirit can be called upon to act on their behalf or come alongside as a helping hand to pronounce and glorify the name of God and his son Jesus. After a comparative study of Hinduism and Christianity, we do find that there are a number of similarities, in this post - Spiritual concepts in both Christianity and Hinduism. However, spiritual concepts absent in Hindu religiosity that are innate to Christianity, and[...]
Gender of the Holy Spirit The debate about the gender of the Holy Spirit is a result of varying translations of scriptural passages and subtleties in language. Grammar-wise,[...]
Listen to the blog Jennifer Buck's book, Reframing the House: Constructive Feminist Global Ecclesiology for the Western Evangelical Church,[...]
Simon Chan's book, 'Pentecostal Ecclesiology: An Essay on the Development of Doctrine', presents a thoroughly researched argument emphasizing Pentecostals' need to cultivate a robust ecclesiology to facilitate genuine[...]
Sebastian Kim and Kirsteen Kim's Christianity as a World Religion: An Introduction situates Christianity within its global context, with a particular focus on its diverse manifestations at the[...]
We live at a point in history where, if the present generation does not react to this situation or re-purpose and re-focus our actions, we might not have a[...]
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This article seeks to prove to a Protestant/Evangelical congregation that it is time for the church to recognize the dire situation that we are in with respect to climate[...]
In the New Testament, the Greek term "pneuma" (πνεῦμα) translates to "spirit" and is equivalent to the Hebrew word "ruach" (ר֫וּחַ). Both terms describe the Holy Spirit, but[...]
-
This article seeks to prove to a Protestant/Evangelical congregation that it is time for the church to recognize the dire situation that we are in with respect to climate[...]
In this post, we endeavor to understand the work of the Holy Spirit within the Indian spiritual context – the challenges that indigenous Indians face and how the Holy[...]
