Walter Hollenweger
Encyclopedia
Walter Jacob Hollenweger (born 1927) is a Swiss
theologian and author, recognized as an expert on worldwide Pentecostalism
. His two best known books are: The Pentecostals (1972) and Pentecostalism: Origins and Developments Worldwide (1997)
From 1949-1958, Hollenweger served as the pastor in a Pentecostal Mission, but in 1962 was ordained in the Swiss Reformed Church
.
In 1955 he began studying at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Zurich
. He wrote a ten volume doctoral dissertation Handbuch der Pfingstbewegung (Handbook of the Pentecostal Movement) published in 1966. The core of this work was published in various languages and became a standard work on Pentecostalism. His numerous publications in the years following made him one of the premier interpreters of this movement.
Hollenweger, who served as the first Secretary for Evangelism in the Division of World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches
from 1965 to 1971, continues to be a staunch advocate of ecumenism
for Pentecostal churches.
During 1971 to 1989 Hollenweger was Professor of Mission at the University of Birmingham
and Selly Oak Colleges at Birmingham, U.K.
Named in his honour, the Hollenweger Center at VU University, Amsterdam, is an academic platform for and across different disciplines within the field of Pentecostal/Charismatic studies, providing opportunities to study Pentecostalism on MA and PhD level (theology, missiology, religious studies, anthropology of religion).
Swiss (people)
The Swiss are citizens or natives of Switzerland. The demonym derives from the toponym of Schwyz and has been in widespread use to refer to the Old Swiss Confederacy since the 16th century....
theologian and author, recognized as an expert on worldwide Pentecostalism
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...
. His two best known books are: The Pentecostals (1972) and Pentecostalism: Origins and Developments Worldwide (1997)
From 1949-1958, Hollenweger served as the pastor in a Pentecostal Mission, but in 1962 was ordained in the Swiss Reformed Church
Swiss Reformed Church
The Reformed branch of Protestantism in Switzerland was started in Zürich by Huldrych Zwingli and spread within a few years to Basel , Bern , St...
.
In 1955 he began studying at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Zurich
University of Zurich
The University of Zurich , located in the city of Zurich, is the largest university in Switzerland, with over 25,000 students. It was founded in 1833 from the existing colleges of theology, law, medicine and a new faculty of philosophy....
. He wrote a ten volume doctoral dissertation Handbuch der Pfingstbewegung (Handbook of the Pentecostal Movement) published in 1966. The core of this work was published in various languages and became a standard work on Pentecostalism. His numerous publications in the years following made him one of the premier interpreters of this movement.
Hollenweger, who served as the first Secretary for Evangelism in the Division of World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
from 1965 to 1971, continues to be a staunch advocate of ecumenism
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
for Pentecostal churches.
During 1971 to 1989 Hollenweger was Professor of Mission at the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
and Selly Oak Colleges at Birmingham, U.K.
Named in his honour, the Hollenweger Center at VU University, Amsterdam, is an academic platform for and across different disciplines within the field of Pentecostal/Charismatic studies, providing opportunities to study Pentecostalism on MA and PhD level (theology, missiology, religious studies, anthropology of religion).
External links
- Christianity Today, The Rise of Pentecostalism: An Interview with Walter J Hollenweger, Jan 1998 Retrieved Jan 11, 2009.