Pentecostal Commentary: New Testament

A second press release from Pilgrim Press:

THE PILGRIM PRESS LAUNCHES "PENTECOSTAL COMMENTARY: NEW TESTAMENT" SERIES

Contact: Aimée J. Jannsohn, publicist
The Pilgrim Press
700 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-1100
(216) 736-3761
ajannsohn@thepilgrimpress.com

July 16, 2004 -- Cleveland, Ohio -- The Pilgrim Press has launched a new biblical commentary series written from a distinctively Pentecostal perspective: "The Pentecostal Commentary: New Testament." The series is designed for scholars, students, pastors, and laypeople seeking critical biblical commentaries written by and for Pentecostals and other Charismatics. "Charismatics" are usually defined as Christians in Roman Catholic and mainline Protestant denominations who believe in a baptism of the Holy Spirit as evidenced by spiritual gifts such as prophecy, healing, and glossolalia (i.e., speaking in tongues).

Pentecostalism is the fastest growing expression of global Christianity. Worldwide, there are an estimated one-half billion Pentecostals/Charismatics. Africa and South America have seen explosive growth of Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, as have African American and Hispanic communities in the United States. An estimated 71% of the world's Pentecostals are non-white.

The general editor of the series is John Christopher Thomas, who is the Clarence J. Abbot Professor of Biblical Studies at the Church of God Theological Seminary, Cleveland, Tennessee. Thomas earned a Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Sheffield, England. Thomas is also author of one of the two initial volumes in the series being released this month: "The Pentecostal Commentary on 1 John, 2 John, 3 John."

The other just released volume, "The Pentecostal Commentary on 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude," is authored by Rebecca Skaggs, professor of New Testament and Greek at Patten College, Oakland, California. Patten College of Patten University is a Church of God (Cleveland, TN)-related institution. Skaggs earned a Ph.D. in New Testament from Drew University, Madison, NJ.

New titles covering the rest of the New Testament will appear over the next
few years.

The Pilgrim Press, North America's oldest publisher, established in 1621, has historically been associated with social justice, multicultural, sexuality, and liberal Protestant theology. Michael Lawrence, marketing director, explains that the publisher's initiation of a series directed toward audiences usually associated with more conservative/Evangelical theology reflects its mandate to encourage free and open exchange and understanding among a wide spectrum of approaches to faith. "The Pilgrim Press' mission", Lawrence says, "is to give voice to those voices that have historically been pushed into the margins by a majority culture.   Pentecostalism is certainly one perspective that historically was marginalized by some in the majority religious culture. We see including this series as part of our mandate to promote diversity, pluralism, and inclusivity in both theological and cultural terms."

For more information about The Pilgrim Press visit the web: thepilgrimpress.com. The Pilgrim Press is distributed in Canada by Wood Lake Books, 9025 Jim Bailey Road, Kelowna, BC V4V 1R2. Toll-free: (800) 663-2775. Web: woodlakebooks.com

"The Pentecostal Commentary on 1 John, 2 John, 3 John"
John Christopher Thomas
319 pp - softcover
0-8298-1649-6
$24.00 USA / $23.00 CAN

"The Pentecostal Commentary on 1 Peter, 2 Peter, Jude"
Rebecca Skaggs
176 pp - softcover
0-8298-1650-X
$24.00 USA / $23.00 CAN

Review copies available upon request for the press. Contact: Aimée J.
Jannsohn, above.