Montage of campus and students; closeup of Bible page

J. Rodman Williams — 1918-2008

Professor of Renewal Theology, Emeritus

Known by the Regent community as an inspiring teacher, influential theologian and dear friend, Dr. J. Rodman Williams served as professor of theology at Regent University’s School of Divinity from 1982 until his retirement in 2001.

A prolific writer, he authored nine books and numerous journal articles. Williams was best known for Renewal Theology, the first systematic theology written from a renewal perspective. Through his groundbreaking work, Williams became known as the theological father of the Charismatic Renewal movement.

During his time at Regent University, he taught with passion and with the expectation that the Holy Spirit would be present within the classroom setting.

Williams passed from this life in October 2008. In addition to his profound roles as teacher, theologian and friend, he will be remembered most as a dedicated servant of Jesus Christ.

In honor of the life and work of Dr. J. Rodman Williams, and to continue his tradition of theological study and research, Regent University has established the J. Rodman Williams Endowed Scholarship. Your support of this special scholarship will help Regent University honor Williams and continue his legacy of educating and inspiring future generations of theologians and church leaders.

Website: renewaltheology.net

Education

  • Ph.D., Columbia University
  • B.D. and Th.M., Union Theological Seminary, Virginia
  • A.B., Davidson College

Courses Taught

  • God, the World, and Redemption
  • Salvation, Holy Spirit, and Christian Living
  • Church, Kingdom, and Last Things

Published Journal Articles

  • "A Fellowship of Confessors," Union Seminary Quarterly Review (March 1949), pp. 4, 40-43.
  • "A Theological Critique of Some Contemporary Trends in Worship," Austin Seminary Bulletin (June 1960), pp. 48-57.
  • "Christian Faith and Contemporary Existentialism," Austin Seminary Bulletin (September 1961), pp. 1-25.
  • "The Covenant in Reformed Theology," Austin Seminary Bulletin (March 1963), pp. 24-38.
  • "Can Protestants and Roman Catholics Get Together?" Presbyterian Survey (October 1963), pp. 10-13.
  • "The Concerns of Frankfurt," Austin Seminary Bulletin (November 1964), pp.5-15.
  • "Theology in Transition and the 'Death of God,'" Austin Seminary Bulletin (April 1966), pp. 22-46, and Theology and Life (Fall-Winter 1966), pp. 234-46, 345-54.
  • "A New Theological Era," Austin Seminary Bulletin (November 1966), pp. 37-47.
  • "The Upsurge of Pentecostalism: Some Presbyterian/Reformed Comment," The Reformed World 31/8 (December 1971), pp. 339-48.
  • "The God Encounter," Logos Journal (January-February 1974), pp. 6-8.
  • "Pentecostal Spirituality," One in Christ 10/2, 1974, pp. 180-92.
  • "Filled with New Wine," New Catholic World (November-December 1974), pp. 281-83.
  • "A Profile of the Charismatic Movement," Christianity Today (February 28,1975), pp. 9-13.
  • "Pentecostal Theology: A Neo-Pentecostal Viewpoint," in Perspectives on the New Pentecostalism, ed. by R. P. Spittler (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1976), pp. 76-85.
  • "In the Holy Spirit: A Theological Brief," in Christian Theology: A Case Study Approach, ed. by R. A. Evans and T. Parker (New York: Harper & Row, 1976), pp. 183-87.
  • "The Authority of Scripture and the Charismatic Movement," Logos Journal(May-June 1977), p. 35.
  • "Prayer and Worship in Eucharistic and Charismatic Mode," One in Christ 13/1, 1977, pp. 39-42.
  • "Why Speak in Tongues," New Covenant (January 1978), pp. 14-16.
  • "The Cost of Unity: From a Protestant," Catholic Charismatic (June-July 1979).
  • "Angels in Your Life," Christian Life (November 1980), pp. 20-31, 70-77.
  • "The Holy Spirit and Eschatology," Pneuma (Fall 1981), pp. 54-58.
  • "Charismatic Movement," "Holiness," in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. by W. A. Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1984), pp. 205-209, 514-16.
  • "Baptism in the Holy Spirit," in Toward a Pentecostal/Charismatic Theology, papers of the 14th Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies (November 1984), pp. 1-31.
  • "The Greater Gifts," in Charismatic Experiences in History, ed. by C. M. Robeck (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson), pp. 44-65.
  • "A Pentecostal Theology," in The Distinctiveness of Pentecostal/Charismatic Theology, papers of the 15th Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies (November 1985.)
  • "Baptism in the Holy Spirit," "James H. Brown," "Laying on of Hands," "Melodyland Christian Center," "Marion Gordon 'Pat' Robertson," and "Ralph A. Wilkerson," in Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, ed. by S. M. Burgess, G. B. McGee, and P. Alexander (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988), pp. 40-48, 99, 535-37, 600, 761-62, 885-86.
  • "Interpreting Prophetic Timing," Charisma (August 1991), pp. 46-48, 51.
  • "The Gifts of the Holy Spirit," Charisma (August 1992), pp. 25-29.
  • "Biblical Truth and Experience: A Reply to Charismatic Chaos by John F. MacArthur, Jr," Paraclete 27/3 (Summer 1993), pp. 16-30.
  • "What Catholics Should Know about Protestants," Charisma (July 1995), pp. 29-33.

Published Books

  • Contemporary Existentialism and Christian Faith (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1965).
  • The Era of the Spirit (Plainfield, NJ: Logos, 1971).
  • The Pentecostal Reality (Plainfield, NJ: Logos, 1972).
  • Ten Teachings (Carol Stream, IL: Creation House, 1974).
  • The Gift of the Holy Spirit Today (Plainfield, NJ: Logos, 1980).
  • Renewal Theology [three volumes in one] (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996)
  • God, the World, and Redemption (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988). Renewal Theology
  • Salvation, the Holy Spirit, and Christian Living (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990). Renewal Theology
  • The Church, The Kingdom, and Last Things (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992).

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