Date of Award
8-2024
Document Type
Thesis
First Advisor
Anthony E Clark, PhD
Second Advisor
Jeremy Wynne, PhD
Abstract
“Imitate me as I imitate Christ,” wrote the apostle Paul to the first-century Church at Corinth. Although specifically addressed to a particular group of Christians with historically-specific concerns and challenges, these words reverberate through history to reveal something significant about the Christian faith – it is never an individual enterprise; it is always connected to, and reliant upon, others. The Christian faith must be learned, and that through careful observation and imitation of those who have faithfully walked the path before us. The Christian faith requires engaging with stories – those of other Christians, as well as our own – and through that coming to participate more fully in God’s greater redemptive story. The Christian theological tradition is replete with biographical literature intended to aid the faithful in their journey with Jesus. Presently, the genre of spiritual biography offers Christians in the twenty-first century an opportunity for much-needed historical grounding, theological reflection, and spiritual engagement. Spiritual biography provides Christians a concrete example of faith to help them “work out their salvation with fear and trembling,” participate in Jesus’ redemptive mission, and robustly live out their own relationship with God. Pentecostal minister and evangelist Oscar M. Knutson (1900-1993) is one such example of faith. Marked by deep confidence in Jesus Christ, daily attunement to the Holy Spirit, and an incarnated vision of ministry on the local level, the life and work of Rev. Knutson provides an important roadmap for Christians of any tradition, encouraging them to trust wholly in God’s loving care, and to serve Him with their entire lives. Rev. Knutson’s own spiritual biography supports the general assertion of this thesis – that spiritual biography is a deeply important means of doing theology. Spiritual biography articulates a faithful example of what it means to serve God and do relationship with Him, features a unique record of Church history, offers opportunity for robust theological reflection and engagement, and provides a concrete framework for giving glory to God.
Recommended Citation
Fergus, Alex Michael
,
""He Will Lead Me": A Spiritual Biography of Oscar M. Knutson, Pentecostal Minister, Evangelist, and Gospel Publisher" Whitworth University (2024). Theology Projects & Theses.
Paper 10.
https://digitalcommons.whitworth.edu/theology_etd/10
Rights
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
A thesis presented to the faculty of the Department of Theology at Whitworth University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Theology.