Robert Menzies’s 2022 book The End of History has stirred up many conversations around eschatology in the Assemblies of God. Unfortunately, his arguments in favor of replacing AG positions of premillennialism with his interpretation of amillennialism put him in the precarious position of being in direct contradiction to AG bylaws. The result was his unfortunate … Continue reading A Response to Robert Menzies’s “Pentecostal Eschatology: Why Amillennialism is a Better Fit.”
Vandella Frye, Tulsa’s Pentecostal Pioneer
The first Pentecostal church in Tulsa traces its origins to Vandella Frye, reportedly the first Pentecostal in Tulsa in 1905. Frye faithfully spread the Pentecostal message through prayer meetings in her home until an Apostolic Faith Mission was formed in 1908. That mission eventually became known as 5th and Peoria/Full Gospel Tabernacle, and later Central … Continue reading Vandella Frye, Tulsa’s Pentecostal Pioneer
The Year I Was Filled with the Holy Spirit
When giving testimonies of experiences with God, it is not uncommon for people to talk about "the day" something happened. People may say something like, "I remember the day I was saved" or "I remember the day God changed my life." These testimonies of immediate transformation are encouraging because it reinforces our conversion-centered orientation of … Continue reading The Year I Was Filled with the Holy Spirit
Practical Advice Before you Pursue a Doctor of Ministry Degree
In this blog, I want to share some advice for those considering a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree. I have taught in the D.Min. program at Oral Roberts University for several years. During this time I gained some valuable insights into the purpose of the degree and the keys to success for students. If you … Continue reading Practical Advice Before you Pursue a Doctor of Ministry Degree
The Ascendancy of Black, Female Pentecostal Scholars
There has been an interesting development in several prominent U.S. seminaries in 2023. Religion News Service reporter, Rebekah Barber, notes that a number of Black, female, scholars have ascended to places of leadership in a male and white dominated field of theological education. This is certainly of note because Black women in the academy are … Continue reading The Ascendancy of Black, Female Pentecostal Scholars
Thoughts on the Lion of Judah.
Recently I have noticed the use of the image of Jesus as a lion in a number of Spirit-filled worship songs. Most of the time, these lyrics depict God or Jesus as the lion with the idea of conveying strength, victory, and warfare. Consider the following examples. In "Lion" by Elevation Worship featuring Chris Brown … Continue reading Thoughts on the Lion of Judah.
Five Surprising Facts About Assemblies of God Eschatology
During my doctoral research about the history of Assemblies of God beliefs about eschatology, I made several interesting discoveries. While most know Pentecostals have historically followed premillennial, dispensational, and pretribulational forms of eschatology, I have to admit that many of my assumptions about those beliefs were challenged and/or corrected by what I found articulated in … Continue reading Five Surprising Facts About Assemblies of God Eschatology
Oral Roberts’ Tribute to Howard Ervin
Its been 15 years since I published my theological biography of Howard M. Ervin called Pilgrimage into Pentecost. But this weekend I was looking back through some of my archival documents on Ervin and came across a tribute Oral Roberts wrote about Ervin for his funeral in 2009. Howard Ervin's relationship with Oral Roberts stretched … Continue reading Oral Roberts’ Tribute to Howard Ervin
Notable COGIC Women from the Tulsa Area
Tulsa's Black Pentecostal community has a rich history. As Tulsa's black population thrived along side the development of the Greenwood District known as "Black Wall Street," Pentecost also took hold with at least two Church of God in Christ Churches by 1921 with over 100 members each. In doing research for my book, Pentecost in … Continue reading Notable COGIC Women from the Tulsa Area
Who Will Be Left Behind?
I have heard there is a new Left Behind movie out in theaters. It has been several decades since Tim LaHaye's series fictionalizing the return of Christ captured the evangelical imagination. This latest movie focusing on the antichrist seems to be following the pattern of trying to dramatize teachings about the end times for the … Continue reading Who Will Be Left Behind?
Daniel D. Isgrigg 