A Light to the Nations

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 McGee's 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 America's 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.""