A Light to the Nations: Explorations in Ecumenism Missions and Pentecostalism

The essays in this volume which are written by friends colleagues and former students are dedicated to Gary B. McGee as a memorial to his life work and service. As a professor with a clear calling to teach he modeled this passion at the Open Bible College (Des Moines Iowa) Central Bible College (Springfield Missouri) and the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (Springfield Missouri). He exuded the understanding that quality teaching superior scholarship a genuine Pentecostal spirituality and an irenic spirit can and should go together. Within the title of this volume A Light to the Nations two aspects become clear. First each person is called to be a light to the nations as Gary McGee modeled. Second and foundational to the first is the reality that Jesus Christ is the ultimate light and our energies study discussions and life in general should rely on this fact. As a reflection of Gary McGees life and ministry these two aspects are focused through three lenses which are the three sections of this volume: Ecumenism Missions and Pentecostalism. The essays represent a diversity of subjects and denote various explorations by colleagues and friends of Gary B. McGee. These deeply researched essays cast new light on old questions and raise new questions that the literature in these fields has overlooked. The volume offers a signal contribution to our understanding of the threads that have connected these fields in the past today and without doubt many years to come. --Grant Wacker Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Christian History Emeritus Duke Divinity School The late Gary McGee transformed scholarly understandings of Pentecostalism as a historical and missional movement. This strong collection of essays by outstanding scholars builds on his passions as well as his expertise. I recommend it very highly. --Dana L. Robert Truman Collins Professor of World Christianity and History of Mission Boston University School of Theology A Light to the Nations . . . is an important book not only because it honors the memory of historian Gary B. McGee but also because it offers penetrating insights into Catholic-Pentecostal ecumenism missions history and theology and global Pentecostalism that propel a critical examination of current missiology. Perceptive chapters by leading Catholic conciliar and independent scholars produce a fascinating guide to the contemporary Christian world coupled with intriguing nudges into the future. --Robert L. Gallagher Chair Director of MA (Intercultural Studies) and Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies Wheaton College Graduate School The chapters in this volume constitute a fitting tribute to Gary McGee one of the most appreciated and influential scholars of modern church history. The authors are leaders in their specialties in the study of ecumenism missions or Pentecostalism (or all three). These deeply researched essays cast new light on old questions and raise new questions that the literature in these fields has overlooked. The volume offers a signal contribution to our understanding of the threads that have connected these fields in the past today and without doubt many years to come. --Grant Wacker Gilbert T. Rowe Professor of Christian History Emeritus Duke Divinity School; author of Americas Pastor: Billy Graham and the Shaping of a Nation (Harvard 2014) The late Gary McGee transformed scholarly understandings of Pentecostalism as a historical and missional movement. This strong collection of essays by outstanding scholars builds on his passions as well as his expertise. I recommend it very highly. --Dana L. Robert Truman Collins Professor of World Christianity and History of Mission Boston University School of Theology A Light to the Nations edited by Stanley M. Burgess and Paul W. Lewis is an important book not only because it honors the memory of historian Gary B. McGee but also because it offers p