Did you know that some of the most well known church fathers like Augustine of Hippo were African? Christianity is not just a Western European religion exported to the rest of the world! There is so much more to the story.

On this episode, Dr. Ayo Adewuya stops by the studio to talk about the ways that Christians, especially Pentecostals, in the Global West could benefit from hearing the perspective of our African brothers and sisters. We discuss Scripture reading, spiritual warfare, and why it seems that miracles are more prevalent in places like Africa than here in the United States.

Intro (0:00)
Welcome Ayodeji Adewuya (3:30)
Get to know Ayo (5:50)
Christianity in various cultures - a vision from God (11:00)
Historical Christianity coming from Africa (15:30)
Personal but NOT individualistic - the importance of community (20:00)
"Salvation (and Sin) is Personal, Not Private" (34:00)
Cultivating a Contrast Community (36:45)
African roots of Pentecostalism (42:00)
Spiritual Warfare in African Perspective (45:00)
Miracles are still happening! (51:20)
Key question: Who is God to you? (59:30)
Faith does not deny reality (1:01:30)
Prayer time (1:03:00)

Resources:
Visit here to purchase Ayo's latest book "An African Commentary on the Letter of James."

Check out some of Ayo's other work too: Holiness in the Letters of Paul: The Necessary Response to the Gospel and Transformed by Grace: Paul's View of Holiness in Romans 6-8

If you are in the Jonesboro, Arkansas area, be sure to check out our sponsor, The Rock of NEA.

On this episode, Dr. Tony Richie returns as our guest to talk about the revival currently taking place among the students at Asbury University and Lee University. We also finish up our discussion of his book "Saved, Delivered, and Healed" by talking about the reality of spiritual warfare in the world today.

Intro (0:00)
A conversation about revival (3:48)
Revival at Asbury University (6:00)
Revival at Lee University (10:15)
Tony's theology of revival (17:16)
We have to make disciples (21:55)
Misguided attempts to "reduce revival" (28:20)
Let's talk about spiritual warfare (30:00)
Is it the devil or a dead battery? (31:10)
The devil a real being? Yes! (33:30)
Spiritual warfare every day!? (35:50)
We live on a battlefield - not a playground. (38:35)
The anti-supernatural mindset of the global West and the problem of evil. (41:45)
Pentecostal counter-culture (46:00)
The devil attacks the mind (Logismoi) (49:50)
Believing the lies of the devil (56:30)
The "key" to spiritual warfare (58:37)
Augustine and the "root" of sin (1:03:00)
The whole armor of God (1:04:20)
The importance of praying in the Spirit (1:05:10)
Jesus is NOT arm wrestling the devil. (1:09:28)
Conclusions (1:11:35)

Resources:

Visit here to purchase Tony’s latest book “Saved, Delivered, and Healed” 

Check out some of Tony’s other work too: Essentials of Pentecostal Theologyand Toward a Pentecostal Theology of Religions: Encountering Cornelius Today 

If you are in the Cleveland, TN area, be sure to check out our sponsor, North Cleveland Church of God.

In the inaugural episode of the Theopraxis podcast, we have Pentecostal Pastor-Theologian Dr. Tony Richie. In this conversation you’ll hear how Tony went from backslidden preacher’s kid, criminal, and agnostic to eventually became a Pentecostal preacher, seminary professor, and author with 2 doctoral degrees. We also discuss interfaith dialogue (Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, etc.), the unique distinctives of Christianity in general and specifically what makes Pentecostalism the fastest growing religious movement in the world. 

Intro (0:00)
Meet Tony Richie (5:00)
Preacher’s Kid (PK) gone astray (10:30)
Why Christianity and not some other religion?  (14:30)
Salvation in Pentecostal perspective (27:00)
Salvation and recovery (36:44)
Christians get to go to heaven before we die. (41:45)
You don’t have to check your brain at the door (43:55)
Not “saved sinners” (46:45)

 Resources:

Visit here to purchase Tony’s latest book “Saved, Delivered, and Healed” 

Check out some of Tony’s other work too: Essentials of Pentecostal Theology and Toward a Pentecostal Theology of Religions: Encountering Cornelius Today 

If you are in the Cleveland, TN area, be sure to check out our sponsor, North Cleveland Church of God.

Check out the brand new podcast, Theopraxis. In this episode, meet the host, Ben Wiles, and find out more about the plans for this series. If you want to watch the podcast you can find it on YouTube at this link.

Theopraxis is sponsored by two great churches. North Cleveland Church of God in Cleveland, TN and The Rock of NEA in Jonesboro, AR. Visit their website to find out more about these great churches. We will hear more from them on the podcast in days to come.

Thanks for listening!