Walter Hollenweger

Walter Jacob Hollenweger (born 1927) is a Swiss theologian and author, recognized as an expert on worldwide Pentecostalism. His two best known books are: "The Pentecostals" (1972) and "Pentecostalism: Origins and Developments Worldwide" (1997) [* Hollenweger, W.J., The Pentecostals (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1972)
* Hollenweger, W. J., Pentecostalism: Origins and Developments Worldwide, (Hendrickson Publications, 1997).]

From 1949-1958, Hollenweger served as the pastor in a Pentecostal Mission, but in 1962 was ordained in the Swiss Reformed Church. [ [http://www.pctii.org/news/99epcra.html European Pentecostal / Charismatic Research Association, Press Release, July 17, 1999] Retrieved Oct 6, 2007.]

In 1955 he began studying at the Faculty of Theology of the University of Zurich. He wrote a ten volume doctoral dissertation "Handbuch der Pfingstbewegung" ("Handbook of the Pentecostal Movement") published in 1966. The core of this work was published in various languages and became a standard work on Pentecostalism. His numerous publications in the years following made him one of the premier interpreters of this movement. [ [http://www.glopent.net/pentecostudies/2005 European Research Network on Global Pentecostalism, ‘’ Bibliography Walter J. Hollenweger’’, 2005] Retrieved Oct 6, 2007.]

Hollenweger, who served as the first Secretary for Evangelism in the Division of World Mission and Evangelism of the World Council of Churches from 1965 to 1971, continues to be a staunch advocate of ecumenism for Pentecostal churches. [ [http://www.pctii.org/cyberj/cyberj5/bundy.html "The Ecumenical Quest for Pentecostalism", Cyberjournal for Pentecostal-Charismatic Research] Retrieved 23 Sep 2007.]

During 1971 to 1989 Hollenweger was Professor of Mission at the University of Birmingham and Selly Oak Colleges at Birmingham, U.K. [ [http://artsweb.bham.ac.uk/aanderson/Pentecost/pentchar.htm "Postgraduate Programmes in the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at the University of Birmingham", Graduate Institute for Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham] Retrieved 23 Sep 2007.]

Named in his honour, the Hollenweger Center [ [http://hollenwegercenter.net/page5.html Hollenweger Center] ] at VU University, Amsterdam, is an academic platform for and across different disciplines within the field of Pentecostal/Charismatic studies, providing opportunities to study Pentecostalism on MA and PhD level (theology, missiology, religious studies, anthropology of religion).

References

External links

* [http://www.pastornet.net.au/renewal/journal13/13c%20Hollenweger.html "Pentecostalism's Global Language: An Interview with Walter Hollenweger", Christianity Today, Inc./Christian History Magazine, Spring 1998, Vol.XVII, No. 2, Page 42] Retrieved 28 Sep 2007.
* [http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:D5OZnKQFBDQJ:www.apts.edu/caps/Occasional%2520lecture/series02/pluss4.pdf+%22Walter+J.+Hollenweger%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=au "An Unauthorised Interview with Walter J. Hollenweger", Asia Pacific Theological seminary] Retrieved Oct 1, 2007.