Frank D. Macchia

This systematic theology textbook introduces students to the complexity and beauty of theology as a pursuit of the global church today. It views theology as an ongoing conversation with many voices about the wonders of God that is faithful to Scripture but is also attentive to the wisdom of tradition and the relevance of context.The book first summarizes the nature and necessity of theological thinking and discusses theological method. Chapters then unfold in creedal order through the various regions of Christian teaching, with units on revelation, God, creation and providence, Christology, pneumatology, ecclesiology, anthropology, soteriology, and eschatology.This book is part of a new series that reflects the changing face of global Christianity. Series volumes are written by leading Pentecostal/Charismatic scholars who highlight themes of interest to Pentecostal/Charismatic students; however, the books are respectful, appreciative, and inclusive of a variety of church families and traditions. Series editors are Jerry Ireland, Paul W. Lewis, and Frank D. Macchia.

Frank D. Macchia argues that the Son of God baptized (and continues to baptize) humanity in the Spirit by pouring forth the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. All four Gospels and the book of Acts describe how the Son is sent of the Father and empowered by the Spirit to fulfil this mission; Macchia in turn claims that Christ succeeds by incorporating others into himself and into the love of the Father.The Spirit-Baptized Church proposes a richly pneumatological ecclesiology that is dominated by a Pentecostal confessional concern, while also open to a larger ecumenical conversation. The volume focuses not only on the dogmatic (Trinitarian) foundations and election processes of the Spirit-baptized church, but also on its marks and witnessing practices. As an exceptionally detailed study of the Spirit-baptismal metaphor, this volume is a valuable resource for scholars of ecclesiology, Pentecostalism, and systematic theology.

Frank D. Macchia argues that the Son of God baptized (and continues to baptize) humanity in the Spirit by pouring forth the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. All four Gospels and the book of Acts describe how the Son is sent of the Father and empowered by the Spirit to fulfil this mission; Macchia in turn claims that Christ succeeds by incorporating others into himself and into the love of the Father.The Spirit-Baptized Church proposes a richly pneumatological ecclesiology that is dominated by a Pentecostal confessional concern, while also open to a larger ecumenical conversation. The volume focuses not only on the dogmatic (Trinitarian) foundations and election processes of the Spirit-baptized church, but also on its marks and witnessing practices. As an exceptionally detailed study of the Spirit-baptismal metaphor, this volume is a valuable resource for scholars of ecclesiology, Pentecostalism, and systematic theology.

Some reputable sociological research indicates that a surprising number of evangelical churchgoers are living out a version of the Christian life that's more informed by the values of the surrounding culture than by the discipleship teachings of Jesus and his apostles. Viewing the cause of this disturbing trend in the church to be a ""discipleship deficit"" that's exacerbated by a ""pneumatological deficit,"" Gary Tyra has written a book that addresses both. In this work, Tyra encourages evangelical Christians of all stripes to become more fully aware of the tremendous difference it makes when the Holy Spirit is experienced in ways that are real and existentially impactful, rather than merely theoretical, conceptual, and/or ritualistic. Intended to be read by church leaders as well as by students in Christian colleges and seminaries, the message here is that the cure for the ministry malady currently confronting us is the recovery of a robust, fully Trinitarian doctrine of the Spirit. A pneumatological realism, says Tyra, combined with an understanding of just how important a spiritual, moral, and missional faithfulness is to a genuine Christian discipleship, can revitalize the lives of individual Christians and churches, making it possible for them to reach their post-Christian peers for Christ Back Cover: ""In this well-written volume Gary weaves together the themes of discipleship, missional thinking, and the Holy Spirit, to come up with a book that will serve to strengthen the church and enhance our witness to Jesus and his kingdom."" --Alan Hirsch, Author of The Forgotten Ways, 5Q, and Untamed ""Once again, Gary Tyra has delivered the goods His long experience as a pastor and the years he has spent teaching university students have led to this significant work. He calls us to anticipate a life-transforming encounter with the triune God through the Holy Spirit."" --Cecil M. Robeck, Jr. Senior Professor of Church History and Ecumenics ""A superb pastoral theology--theologically and biblical informed, but accessible and geared toward ministry leaders. Tyra contends that the tangible experience of the Holy Spirit can renew the church from the vacuous moralistic deism and cultural Christianity so widespread in contemporary North America."" --Steve Studebaker, Associate Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology ""Gary Tyra has given us a timely treatise to effectively address a great need in the Church today--a theological reflection that will undoubtedly stimulate the disciplined mind of academia while being practical from a wealth of pastoral experiences . . . It would be a great addition to the library of the serious student of God's Word."" --Dan deLeon, Senior Pastor at Templo Calvario Church Inside Cover: ""Pastor-Theologian Gary Tyra encourages a real dependence on the Holy Spirit to produce fully formed disciples--for mission, morality, and spirituality. He pushes back against pastoral practice that inadvertently fails to seek the presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the care of souls."" --Bill Dogterom, Professor of Pastoral Ministries and Spiritual Formation ""Gary Tyra has written a perceptive, instructive and much-needed clarion call to leaders of the theological academy and of the church . . . Getting Real does path-clearing, prolegomenon kind of work for pastors and theologians alike as they seek to root and nurture a faithful, moral-spiritual formation and maturation of Jesus' whole-life learners."" --Joseph E. Gorra, Co-author of A Reasonable Response: Answers to Tough Questions on God, Christianity and the Bible ""I think the church in North America today is entering into 'the age of the Holy Spirit.' It is a time when we must learn to engage in, listen to and experience the life and ministry of the Spirit in new and concrete ways. This book provides important theological and practical guidance to the church in this new age. It is very much attuned to what God is doing in the churc

Some reputable sociological research indicates that a surprising number of evangelical churchgoers are living out a version of the Christian life that's more informed by the values of the surrounding culture than by the discipleship teachings of Jesus and his apostles. Viewing the cause of this disturbing trend in the church to be a ""discipleship deficit"" that's exacerbated by a ""pneumatological deficit,"" Gary Tyra has written a book that addresses both. In this work, Tyra encourages evangelical Christians of all stripes to become more fully aware of the tremendous difference it makes when the Holy Spirit is experienced in ways that are real and existentially impactful, rather than merely theoretical, conceptual, and/or ritualistic. Intended to be read by church leaders as well as by students in Christian colleges and seminaries, the message here is that the cure for the ministry malady currently confronting us is the recovery of a robust, fully Trinitarian doctrine of the Spirit. A pneumatological realism, says Tyra, combined with an understanding of just how important a spiritual, moral, and missional faithfulness is to a genuine Christian discipleship, can revitalize the lives of individual Christians and churches, making it possible for them to reach their post-Christian peers for Christ Back Cover: ""In this well-written volume Gary weaves together the themes of discipleship, missional thinking, and the Holy Spirit, to come up with a book that will serve to strengthen the church and enhance our witness to Jesus and his kingdom."" --Alan Hirsch, Author of The Forgotten Ways, 5Q, and Untamed ""Once again, Gary Tyra has delivered the goods His long experience as a pastor and the years he has spent teaching university students have led to this significant work. He calls us to anticipate a life-transforming encounter with the triune God through the Holy Spirit."" --Cecil M. Robeck, Jr. Senior Professor of Church History and Ecumenics ""A superb pastoral theology--theologically and biblical informed, but accessible and geared toward ministry leaders. Tyra contends that the tangible experience of the Holy Spirit can renew the church from the vacuous moralistic deism and cultural Christianity so widespread in contemporary North America."" --Steve Studebaker, Associate Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology ""Gary Tyra has given us a timely treatise to effectively address a great need in the Church today--a theological reflection that will undoubtedly stimulate the disciplined mind of academia while being practical from a wealth of pastoral experiences . . . It would be a great addition to the library of the serious student of God's Word."" --Dan deLeon, Senior Pastor at Templo Calvario Church Inside Cover: ""Pastor-Theologian Gary Tyra encourages a real dependence on the Holy Spirit to produce fully formed disciples--for mission, morality, and spirituality. He pushes back against pastoral practice that inadvertently fails to seek the presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the care of souls."" --Bill Dogterom, Professor of Pastoral Ministries and Spiritual Formation ""Gary Tyra has written a perceptive, instructive and much-needed clarion call to leaders of the theological academy and of the church . . . Getting Real does path-clearing, prolegomenon kind of work for pastors and theologians alike as they seek to root and nurture a faithful, moral-spiritual formation and maturation of Jesus' whole-life learners."" --Joseph E. Gorra, Co-author of A Reasonable Response: Answers to Tough Questions on God, Christianity and the Bible ""I think the church in North America today is entering into 'the age of the Holy Spirit.' It is a time when we must learn to engage in, listen to and experience the life and ministry of the Spirit in new and concrete ways. This book provides important theological and practical guidance to the church in this new age. It is very much attuned to what God is doing in the churc

The book of Revelation is perhaps the most theologically complex and literarily sophisticated text in the New Testament. In this commentary John Christopher Thomas and Frank Macchia make the brilliant but challenging text of Revelation more accessible and easier to understand on its own terms, rather than as a futuristic prophecy.In addition to their literary, exegetical, and theological analysis of the text, Thomas and Macchia offer sustained theological essays on the book's most significant themes and issues, accenting especially the underappreciated place of the Holy Spirit in the theology of the book. Uniquely, Thomas and Macchia work to locate and help readers better understand the original audiences to whom Revelation was written by examining Revelation's storyline and its connection to the broader Johannine community.

Historically, the premise of justification by grace through faith has been debated according to Protestant and Catholic understandings. It has, therefore, been limited to the question of whether justification is the reception of forgiveness by faith along or the personal transformation that occurs as we cooperate with grace. Though some recent ecumenical discussions have sought to link to the two, the results have been largely imprecise. Here Frank D. Macchia seeks not so much to link Protestant and Catholic views as to set them both within a larger framework -- the Spirit of Life as the realm of God's favor. The resulting pneumatological theology of justification by faith is broadly Trinitarian, ecclesiological, and eschatological in orientation.

Baptized in the Spirit creatively examines the most recent trends in Pentecostal and charismatic theology, especially with regard to the displacement of Spirit baptism as Pentecostalism’s central distinctive. The author begins by focusing on the significance of the Holy Spirit in reciprocal and mutual work with the Son in fulfilling the will of the Father. He also shows how the pneumatological emphases in Pentecostal and charismatic theology can help to correct the tendency in Western Christianity to subordinate the Spirit to the Word.