If you were to ask for song requests in any AG church in America, I can almost guarantee someone will request "I'll Fly Away". For whatever reason, this song has become an American and Pentecostal favorite of previous generations. There are several reasons its popular. For one, this song has an Oklahoma connection, being written … Continue reading The Theological Legacy of “I’ll Fly Away”
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Want Less
I was in a parking lot yesterday and a bumper sticker caught my eye. It was two simple words: Want Less. Immediately my spirit said, "Yes. That's it." We live in a consumerism nightmare. We have filled our lives with stuff. Most of us have so much stuff that we are buried in debt. And … Continue reading Want Less
Were Early AG Leaders Anti-Intellectual?
From the beginning, the Pentecostal movement had a careful relationship with theology and the pursuit of education. Even today, many of my educated AG pastor friends are often frustrated with the way in which people within our fellowship are suspicious of education. Roger Olsen speaks of the these attitudes. He says, ‘Endemic to Pentecostalism is … Continue reading Were Early AG Leaders Anti-Intellectual?
History of the PAOC Statement of Faith — Andrew K. Gabriel
The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) is in a process of reviewing and refreshing its Statement of Fundamental and Essential Truths (SOFET). You can find a copy of the most recent, 2014, statement here. The PAOC’s SOFET has seen many changes. Some of these changes reflect reaffirmations of previous beliefs, while some reflect changing beliefs […] … Continue reading History of the PAOC Statement of Faith — Andrew K. Gabriel
The AG and Black Heritage
During the month of February, I have read several great articles on Pentecostalism's black heritage. Vinson Synan wrote about William Seymours' role as the father of Pentecostalism. Darrin Rodgers highlights 10 African American ministers that were in important to the AG and the Pentecostal movement. David Daniel's highlights what happened to the racial diversity in the Pentecostal movement. … Continue reading The AG and Black Heritage
AG Doctrine: What Was, Is, and What Should Be
In my time studying AG doctrine I have had many conversations with people about how I feel about AG eschatology. Usually people are asking about my work because they are uncomfortable with some particular point of AG doctrine that they would like to see changed. The more one is exposed to education and differing point of views, … Continue reading AG Doctrine: What Was, Is, and What Should Be
Word Counts
I remember writing papers early in my schooling. I was always looking for ways to pad my word count to reach the desired number of pages. That is no longer the case for me. These days I am learning how to abide by a word count. This morning I submitted a paper for the Society for … Continue reading Word Counts
The Eschatology Books of the Assemblies of God
In my dissertation, I am documenting the history of the Assemblies of God and their eschatological positions. One of the joys of that pursuit has been to build a timeline of all the books on eschatology that have been published by the Gospel Publishing House. To my knowledge, no one has done so. I also … Continue reading The Eschatology Books of the Assemblies of God
Statement of Fundamental Truths Turns 100
100 years ago this week the Assemblies of God Statement of Fundamental Truths was adopted by the 1916 General Council in St. Louis. Although AG Leaders were reluctant to adopt a statement of faith during those early years, a doctrinal statement was needed to stave off division over debates about trinitarian vs. oneness baptism. A … Continue reading Statement of Fundamental Truths Turns 100
What a Pastor Cannot Do: familiar thoughts on pastoring from 1930
"Sometimes people forget that a Pastor is human." E.S. Williams, 1930. Being a pastor in this day and age is a huge challenge. Yet at the same time, it is comforting to discover that the demands on pastors haven't changed much in 100 years. In my studies this week I came across an article by E. … Continue reading What a Pastor Cannot Do: familiar thoughts on pastoring from 1930
Daniel D. Isgrigg 