Welcome, Holy Spirit

CONTENTS

Introduction to the first edition in 1987: A View from Within 1
Introduction to the revised, updated and expanded edition in 2022: A View after 36 More Years 3

PART ONE: RENEWED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
The History and Experience of the Charismatic Renewal
1 The History and Scope of the Charismatic Renewal 9
2 The Questions and the Quest of the Charismatic Renewal 14
3 The Meaning of Charismatic Experience 20
4 The Reception and Content of Charismatic Experience 25
5 The Effects of Charismatic Experience 28
6 The Tasks of the Charismatic Renewal 33

PART TWO: INSPIRED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Biblical Foundations
7 Biblical Interpretation in the Charismatic Renewal 39
8 The Holy Spirit in Creation and Redemption 49
9 The Promise and the Coming of the Holy Spirit 58
10 The Holy Spirit and the Word of God 67
11 Faith, Repentance and Obedience 75
12 The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit 81
13 The Holy Spirit and Baptism 85
14 Baptism with the Holy Spirit 88
15 Praying for the Holy Spirit 92
16 Manifestations of the Holy Spirit and Their Meaning for Mission 95
17 The Fullness of the Holy Spirit 99
18 Witnessing in Word and Deed in the Power of the Holy Spirit 103
Excursus 1: Healing and Exorcism in the Ancient Church 121
19 The Church in the Power of the Holy Spirit 124

PART THREE: MADE KNOWN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
A Lutheran Theological and Historical Perspective
20 “Solus Christus” – Christ Alone 143
21 “Sola Gratia” – Grace Alone 148
22 “Sola Fides” – Faith Alone 154
23 “Sola Scriptura” – Scripture Alone 161
24 “Sola Oratio” – Prayer Alone 165
25 “Sola Ecclesia” – the Church Alone 168
26 “Solum Baptisma” – Baptism Alone 175
27 “Solus Spiritus Sanctus” – the Holy Spirit Alone 183
28 The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Theology of Martin Luther 185
Excursus 2: Does God Speak Directly Today?
Prophecy, Revelation, Call, and Guidance 213
29 Final Evaluation: The Reformation and Charismatic Renewal 219
30 Pietism: Between the Reformation and the Charismatic Renewal 223
31 Lutheran Precursors of the Charismatic Renewal 230

PART FOUR: TAUGHT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Doctrinal Concerns in the Charismatic Renewal
32 Faith 243
33 The Importance of the Biblical Worldview 253
34 The Relation between Charismatic Renewal and Theological Tradition 266
35 The Nature of God and the Nature of Human Beings 271
36 Justification and Sanctification 274
37 Theology of the Cross 282
38 The Kingdom of God and the Church 287
39 Baptism 303
40 God’s Fatherly Provision 307
41 Truth and Authority 314
42 Confirming the Word 321

PART FIVE: LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
Practical Concerns in the Charismatic Renewal
43 The Power of the Indwelling Christ and the Fullness of the Holy Spirit 329
44 Obedience to Christ as Lord 334
45 Holiness 337
46 Discipleship and Stewardship 341
47 Manifesting Spiritual Gifts 346
48 The Gift of Prophecy 355
49 The Gift of Speaking in Tongues 372
50 The Gifts of Healings 385
51 The Church: Workshop of the Holy Spirit 394
52 The Church: Institution and Free Movements 401
53 Young People in the Ministry of the Church 414
54 The Church: An Ordered Body 418
Excursus 3: A Family Model of Church Government 423
55 The Church: A Worshipping and Praying Community 427
56 The Church: A Missional Community 439
Excursus 4: Characteristics of the Spirit-filled Missional Church? 449
57 The Church: A Servant Community 459
58 The Church: A Suffering yet Victorious People 463
59 The Church: A Community Engaged in Spiritual Struggle 474
60 The Church: A Fellowship of Hope 493

Appendix: Background and Participants in the International
Lutheran Charismatic Theological Consultation that
Produced the First Edition in 1987 501
Abbreviations 507
Bibliography 509

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tormod Engelsviken, born 1943, is Professor Emeritus in Mission Studies from MF Norwegian School of Theology in Oslo, Norway. Internationally, he has been a missionary to Ethiopia, visiting professor at the Central University for Minorities (Minda) in Beijing, China, member of the Theology Working Group of the Lausanne Movement, member of the Commission on World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches, and council member of the African Theological Initiative. He has also served in elected positions in Norway as Moderator of the Church of Norway Council for Ecumenical and International Relations, Chairman of Lausanne Norway, the Oasis Movement, Norwegian Mission to the East, and the Egede Institute for Missionary Research. Engelsviken has written a Ph.D. dissertation at Aquinas Institute, USA, on the Charismatic renewal with the title The Gift of the Spirit (1981), and has spoken and written extensively on world mission, the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement, the Holy Spirit, and spiritual conflict.

This book is based on a lengthy international study process among Lutheran church leaders and theologians, all committed to charismatic renewal in the Lutheran Church. It led to the 1987 book Welcome, Holy Spirit: A Study of Charismatic Renewal in the Church, edited by
the American pastor Larry Christenson. The present volume is a thoroughly revised, updated and expanded version by Norwegian Professor Tormod Engelsviken, one of the original contributors, that also deals with the further growth and development of the Charismatic Renewal since 1987. This is done with a global, missional and ecumenical perspective. It treats all the most important issues raised by the worldwide Pentecostal/Charismatic movement, historically, biblically, doctrinally and practically. In doing so it attempts to be theological in content and popular in form. The book is evangelical, charismatic and Lutheran in its outlook and may serve as a textbook for pastors and Christian leaders providing both dependable information and spiritual inspiration. The publication is endorsed and supported by the Oasis Movement within the Lutheran Church of Norway.

In the last decades we have been surprised by the charismatic renewal in the worldwide church and in local communities on every continent. This second and expanded edition of Welcome, Holy Spirit provides a substantial update on what has happened as well as in-depth biblical, theological and pastoral reflection.
Rooted in the Lutheran tradition, its perspective is broadly ecumenical and evangelical. It does not avoid the complexities in the charismatic renewal but guides the reader to a sound and inspiring awareness of the Holy Spirit as the mover in mission: as life-giver and empowering disciples and communities, breaking down barriers and providing a new sense of unity and grass-root growth. As a comprehensive study this volume is a gift to church leaders, pastors and students, and reading it I found myself constantly saying: Thank you, Holy Spirit, and praying: Come and continue to renew your church and the face of the earth.
Ole Chr M Kvarme, Bishop Emeritus of Oslo Diocese of the Church of Norway (Lutheran)

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION
“Welcome, Holy Spirit should be welcome in the libraries of all Christians interested in the Charismatic renewal. Written by and for Lutherans, it will nevertheless constitute a standard theological work for Pentecostals and Charismatics in all of the churches.
The publication of this foundational volume marks a milestone in the development of the Charismatic movement in our time. Well-written and researched, it gives well-balanced answers to most of the questions usually raised about the modern Pentecostal/Charismatic movement.”
Vinson Synan, Pentecostal

“This book makes it clear that the renewal is not Gospel tinsel, a peripheral adornment, a passing enthusiasm of the religious adolescent. Welcome, Holy Spirit is an ecumenically sensitive presentation of what God has been doing in the Charismatic renewal in Lutheran churches. To the process of theological discernment the international team brings academic credentials, pastoral experience, and a worldwide contact with the Lutheran renewal. From this global perspective, it faces the issues of justification, the cross, Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone.”
Kilian McDonnell, Roman Catholic

“We’ve waited for years for someone to chronicle the acts of the Holy Spirit in this generation. This is history, systematic theology, and inspiration combined in a practical, how-to volume.”
Jamie Buckingham