a priori: Rick Wadholm Jr.’s work on The Passion Translation

A Priori is a series in which we put three simple questions to scholars undertaking important research in biblical studies, theology, ethics, and more. We seek out the authors whose work you might otherwise never hear about, who may be poised for future renown in this early stage in their career, whose mission is the church, whose vocation is research. This week we hear from Rick Wadholm Jr and his work on The Passion Translation and Pentecostal Theology.

1. Who are you, where did you study, and what work have you published so far?

My name is Rick Wadholm Jr. and I am currently serving as an instructor/professor for six college, universities, and seminaries in five countries. I have an M.Div. Honours from Providence Theological Seminary in Otterburne, Manitoba, and a Ph.D. from Bangor University, Wales. With both degrees, I have studied and written theses at the intersection of theology and Biblical studies. I published a revised version of my Ph.D. thesis as A Theology of the Spirit in the Former Prophets: A Pentecostal Perspective (CPT Press, 2018) and have numerous articles in several dictionaries, journals and edited volumes, along with having served as the Executive Editor of The Pentecostal Education (a bi-annual journal of The World Alliance for Pentecostal Theological Education) from 2013-2019.

2. What research/writing project are you currently working on that you are most excited about? Have you presented papers related to this topic, and can you give us a little taster from your writing?

One of the fun projects I am currently participating in, as a translation consultant, is The Passion Translation (having recently completed work on Genesis, Joshua, Judges, and Ruth). I also have three edited volumes slated for publication in 2020-2021 that I am editor and contributor. The first offering is biblical and theological reflections on “Community” (McMaster Divinity College Press) co-edited with Meghan Musy; the second (a first volume in a multi-volume series) is Pentecostal Theological Education in the Majority World (Wipf & Stock) co-edited with David Johnson; and the third is a collection of contributions on Reception History in the Pentecostal and Charismatic Traditions (CPT Press) co-edited with Daniel Isgrigg and Martin Mittelstadt. I am also currently working on two monographs (for which I am seeking the right publisher) that are focused on the topics of the role of the prophet and Pentecostal homiletics, respectively.

3. Which readers is the final product intended for, and when do you anticipate we might see the fruit of your research in published form?

My work has tended to be a bit eclectic as sitting on the boundaries of theology and biblical studies with an eye toward the global and local church, and an eye toward the development of higher education within the Pentecostal tradition/s. While the first three edited volumes are targeted specifically for those engaged in higher education (students, professors, and some studied lay persons and ministers), the latter two volumes are specifically being written for the local pastor and layperson.

Promote your research! Send an email to tavis.bohlinger@faithlife.com answering the three questions above. Contributions are published in the order they are received. We look forward to highlighting your work!