The 'Spiritual Death' of Jesus: A Pentecostal Investigation (Global Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies, 1)

✍ Scribed by William P. Atkinson (editor)

• Publisher: Brill Academic Pub
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 305
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Theologians and pastors will find much of value in this thorough critique of the teachings of E.W. Kenyon, Kenneth E. Hagin, and Kenneth Copeland, which posit the strange yet influential notion that Jesus died spiritually (JDS) and was separated from God to become Satan's prey. Atkinson (former Principal of Regents Theological College, the UK) states plainly his views on the mistaken and harmful nature of the JDS, which has become a centerpiece of the Word-faith movement and may be influencing Pentecostal Christianity. The volume provides a close reading of the teachings of Kenyon and his followers, analyzing and critiquing each point and demonstrating an impressive command of the literature, which is cited throughout. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

✦ Table of Contents

Contents
Preface
Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
Introduction
1. The JDS debate and debaters
1. Introduction
2. The Word-faith movement
3. Three foremost JDS teachers
4. JDS teaching in theological context
5. Categories of participant in the JDS debate
6. Growing opposition
7. Dissenting voices
8. Mediating positions
9. Chapter conclusions
2. Scope, criteria and methods
1. Introduction
2. Scope and limits
3. Criteria
4. Conformity with the biblical witness
5. Kenyon's contemporary influences
6. Reference to Christian theology
7. Chapter conclusions
3. Jesus' 'spiritual death' and its necessity
1. Introduction
2. Biblical references to 'spiritual death'
3. Historical references to 'spiritual death'
4. JDS teaching's terminology in modern Christian theology
5. The necessity of Christ's 'spiritual death'
6. Chapter conclusions
4. Jesus' 'spiritual death' as separation from God
1. Introduction
2. The JDS articulation of Jesus' separation from God
3. Criticisms of the JDS position
4. The possibility of a separation
5. The timing of a possible separation
6. The nature of a possible separation
7. Chapter conclusions
5. Jesus' 'spiritual death' as partaking of a sinful, satanic nature
1. Introduction
2. Satan
3. Partaking of a sinful, satanic nature
4. The responses of the critics
5. Kenyon's, Hagin's and Copeland's sources
6. History of the tradition
7. Chapter conclusions
6. Jesus' 'spiritual death' as becoming Satan's prey
1. Introduction
2. The views of Kenyon, Hagin and Copeland
3. Responses of the critics
4. JDS sources
5. Alternative proposals
6. Chapter conclusions
7. Conclusions
1. Introduction
2. Summaries
3. Further responses to the critics
4. Sundry observations
5. Overall appraisal of JDS teaching
Bibliography
Index of references
Index of authors
Index of subjects