J. Rodman Williams
Encyclopedia
Dr. J. Rodman Williams regarded as the father of modern Renewal Theology, was a charismatic
theologian
and Professor of Renewal Theology at Regent University
in Virginia Beach, Virginia
.
Dr. Williams was a Presbyterian
who served as a pastor for several years before becoming a full-time educator. As a key figure in the burgeoning charismatic movement of the 1960s, he was president of the International Presbyterian Charismatic Communion, and later a participant in the International Roman Catholic-Pentecostal Dialogue. In 1972, he became the founding president of the Melodyland School of Theology in Anaheim, California
. He joined the faculty of Regent University in the mid-1980s and holds the title of Emeritus Professor of Renewal Theology.
Important works include the three-volume systematic theology
entitled Renewal Theology (1988–92, published as a single volume in 1996), the first complete systematic theology written from a charismatic perspective. It included chapters on the supernatural gifts of the Spirit and the a chapter on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, arguing for the traditional Pentecostal
interpretation.
Charismatic movement
The term charismatic movement is used in varying senses to describe 20th century developments in various Christian denominations. It describes an ongoing international, cross-denominational/non-denominational Christian movement in which individual, historically mainstream congregations adopt...
theologian
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
and Professor of Renewal Theology at Regent University
Regent University
Regent University is a private coeducational interdenominational Christian university located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States. The school was founded by the American televangelist Pat Robertson in 1978 as Christian Broadcasting Network University. A satellite campus located in...
in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
Dr. Williams was a Presbyterian
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
who served as a pastor for several years before becoming a full-time educator. As a key figure in the burgeoning charismatic movement of the 1960s, he was president of the International Presbyterian Charismatic Communion, and later a participant in the International Roman Catholic-Pentecostal Dialogue. In 1972, he became the founding president of the Melodyland School of Theology in Anaheim, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. He joined the faculty of Regent University in the mid-1980s and holds the title of Emeritus Professor of Renewal Theology.
Important works include the three-volume systematic theology
Systematic theology
In the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
entitled Renewal Theology (1988–92, published as a single volume in 1996), the first complete systematic theology written from a charismatic perspective. It included chapters on the supernatural gifts of the Spirit and the a chapter on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, arguing for the traditional Pentecostal
Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is a diverse and complex movement within Christianity that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, has an eschatological focus, and is an experiential religion. The term Pentecostal is derived from Pentecost, the Greek...
interpretation.
Published books
- Contemporary Existentialism and Christian Faith (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1965).
- The Era of the Spirit (Plainfield, NJ: Logos, 1971).
- The Pentecostal Reality (Plainfield, NJ: Logos, 1972).
- Ten Teachings (Carol Stream, IL: Creation House, 1974).
- The Gift of the Holy Spirit Today (Plainfield, NJ: Logos, 1980).
- Renewal Theology [three volumes in one] (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996)
- God, the World, and Redemption (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988). Renewal Theology
- Salvation, the Holy Spirit, and Christian Living (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990). Renewal Theology
- The Church, The Kingdom, and Last Things (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992).
External references
- Burgess, Stanley M. & Eduard M. van der Maas (editors), The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic MovementsThe New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic MovementsThe New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements is a comprehensive reference work on charismatic Christianity . It is edited primarily by Stanley M. Burgess...
, (Revised edition, Zondervan: 2003) - Williams, J. Rodman, Renewal Theology: Systematic Theology from a Charismatic Perspective, (Zondervan: 1996)
External links
- J. Rodman Williams Home Page Includes complete text of several articles and books
- J. Rodman Williams Faculty page
- http://www.cbn.com/about/JRodmanWilliams_Obituary_0810.aspxObituary