William and Robert Menzies: Spirit and Power, Empowered for Witness, and The Development Of Early Christian Pneumatology
A triple review of books by Robert Menzies and his father William, essay by Grant Hochman.
Robert P. Menzies, The Development Of Early Christian Pneumatology: with special reference to Luke-Acts (Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1991).
Robert P. Menzies, Empowered for Witness: The Spirit in Luke-Acts. Journal of Pentecostal Theology Supplement Series #6 (Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1994), 290 pages.
William W. and Robert P. Menzies, Spirit and Power: Foundations of Pentecostal Experience (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), 233 pages.
A quiet revolution has been taking place around the world. There are now over 530 million Pentecostal/charismatic Christians (David Barrett, International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Jan/01). It was the church growth movement which first brought this explosive growth to the attention of Christian leaders. The focus on what they termed the “Baptism in the Holy Spirit,” based on Luke and Acts, was the driving force behind it, and secondarily, the emphasis on spiritual gifts as found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (Chs. 12-14). From a mere trickle of scholarly research, the last thirty years has seen a river of literature on this topic (see Charles E. Jones, where one finds over 11,000 entries in The Charismatic Movement, Scarecrow Press, 1994). This change has been underscored by the founding of the Journal of Pentecostal Theology in 1992 and published by the prestigious Sheffield Academic Press, in England.
Even though they are relative newcomers, classical Pentecostal scholars have been major contributors to the scholarly dialogue. One individual stands out above the others both in quantity and quality: Dr. Robert Menzies. After publishing a series of articles and book reviews, his first book to be published was his doctoral dissertation: The Development Of Early Christian Pneumatology: with special reference to Luke-Acts, from Sheffield Academic Press, 1991. This work caught the attention of two of the most prominent world-class evangelical scholars on Luke-Acts, James Dunn and Max Turner. Dunn writes “Pentecostal biblical scholarship has become increasingly a factor to be reckoned with, as its contributions have grown in confidence and weight…So far none commands more respect than the Aberdeen thesis of Robert Menzies.” Dunn closes by saying, “this is a work of significant and substantial scholarship whose strengths cannot be done full justice to in a brief review,” (Evangelical Quarterly, 66:2, 1994, pp. 174-6). Max Turner pays tribute to Menzies in his book, Power From On High: The Spirit in Israel’s Restoration and Witness in Luke-Acts. Sheffield Academic Press, 2000. In the preface Turner writes about Menzies, “His rigorous and perceptive case caused me to reconsider the evidence,” (p.11). This in turn, resulted in Turner publishing a series of articles and then his book (listed above). While both Dunn and Turner take issue with certain areas of Menzies work, they pay tribute to his efforts.
The above work by Menzies does set a new standard for those who are keeping up with recent works on pneumatology. There are three sections. The first provides an overview of the pneumatological perspectives of intertestamental Judaism. This includes literature from the Diaspora, Palestinian, Qumran and rabbinic sources. The conclusion made is that with rare exception, this literature “consistently identifies experience of the Spirit with prophetic inspiration,” (p.112). The second and largest section provides an in-depth study of the prophetic pneumatology of Luke. Here, Menzies presents a careful argument showing that while Paul attributes soteriological functions to the Spirit, Luke does not. For Luke, the purpose of the gift of the Spirit is to equip the church for their prophetic vocation. Luke describes the church as a prophetic community empowered for witness by the Spirit (p.279). The final and shortest section discusses the origin of Paul’s pneumatology, which differs from Luke and the early church, but is complementary.
Menzies first work was later published as a monograph in the Journal of Pentecostal Studies Supplement Series 6. This made the work available to a larger audience, at a more affordable price, and less daunting for the non-specialist. Almost all of the foreign language material has been translated, the footnotes and discussion of secondary literature greatly reduced, and, most important, the two chapters on Paul have been replaced with chapters addressing contemporary questions. The new material covers the issues of subsequence, and evidential tongues. One is surprised at the creative insight Menzies provides to these areas!
As significant as the above works are, it may well be the third publication (Spirit and Power) which will impact the average believer. While Dr. Robert Menzies wrote almost all of the chapters, his father wrote the opening chapter as well as the postscript in chapter 13 and the conclusion. Of the 15 chapters, 8 are revisions of previously published material, and seven are new. There are two sections. The first provides theological foundations for the Pentecostal view. Included are replies to both Dunn and Turner. For those with a theological education, chapter three will come as a surprise (“Hermeneutics: The Quiet Revolution”). There has been a distinct change in evangelical attitudes towards biblical narrative, as can be seen by the documentation provided.
Part two covers theological affirmations. One finds Menzies at his best, demonstrating creative insight, spiritual counsel and sound research. Here, one can find material on such areas as subsequence, tongues, signs and wonders, spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit.
Having a graduate degree in biblical studies I found this to be a most unusual book. Spirit and Power is the best presentation of a full orbed biblical theology, from a classical Pentecostal viewpoint, that I have come across. The scholarship is balanced with a pastoral heart. Dr. Menzies honors James Dunn and Max Turner for their contributions before discussing areas of disagreement. In other places Menzies takes great care to explain why other parts of the evangelical world hold the views they do. There are a surprising number of wonderful spiritual insights (I would often share these with my wife as I read through the work). The documentation is superb, leading me to read every footnote and look up almost every biblical reference. The pastoral heart and presentation of scholarly material sets a new standard for the body of Christ. He models how to interact with opposing viewpoints and yet leave the reader sensing Christ’s love (Not an easy feat!).
The three publications of Menzies and especially Spirit and Power challenge every believer to reassess their view of the baptism in the Spirit and just what it means to be empowered by the Spirit. While the main purpose is power to witness (Acts 1:5,8) there is a depth of teaching to be gleaned from scripture (both Old and New Testament). Pentecostal and charismatics will be challenged to both broaden and deepen their understanding of this whole area. If the truth were admitted, few understand the basis for their beliefs beyond a few verses of scripture, and have difficulty dialoguing with those who are of a different persuasion. Now they have an excellent resource that models how to share with those who disagree in a way that honors everyone.
Reviewed by Grant Hochman
Preview Spirit and Power: http://books.google.com/books?id=hK9neEy4SmIC
Preview Empowered for Witness: http://books.google.com/books?id=v2ONpo_rtYMC
