Walter Hollenweger

{{Short description|Swiss theologian (1927–2016)}}
'''Walter Jacob Hollenweger''' (born 1927 in [[Antwerp]]; died 10 August 2016) was a [[Swiss (people)|Swiss]] theologian, recognized as an expert on worldwide [[Pentecostalism]]. His two best known books are ''The Pentecostals'' (1972) and ''Pentecostalism: Origins and Developments Worldwide'' (1997).

== Biography ==
From 1949-1958, Hollenweger served as the pastor in a Pentecostal Mission, but in 1962 was ordained in the [[Swiss Reformed Church]].<ref>[http://www.pctii.org/news/99epcra.html European Pentecostal / Charismatic Research Association, Press Release, July 17, 1999] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016071851/http://www.pctii.org/news/99epcra.html |date=October 16, 2007 }} Retrieved Oct 6, 2007.</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.glopent.net/pentecostudies/2005 European Research Network on Global Pentecostalism, ‘‘Bibliography Walter J. Hollenweger’’,  2005] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071201065354/http://www.glopent.net/pentecostudies/2005 |date=2007-12-01 }} Retrieved Oct 6, 2007.</ref>

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, long continued to be a staunch advocate of [[ecumenism]] for Pentecostal churches.<ref>David Bundy, [http://www.pctii.org/cyberj/cyberj5/bundy.html ''The Ecumenical Quest for Pentecostalism'', Cyberjournal for Pentecostal-Charismatic Research] Retrieved 23 Sep 2007.</ref>

During 1971 to 1989 Hollenweger was Professor of Mission at the [[University of Birmingham]] and Selly Oak Colleges at Birmingham, U.K.<ref>[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] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921201929/http://artsweb.bham.ac.uk/aanderson/Pentecost/pentchar.htm |date=2007-09-21 }} Retrieved 23 Sep 2007.</ref>

After his retirement, Hollenweger and his wife Erica relocated to [[Krattigen]]. He died on 10 August 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2016/7-october/gazette/obituaries/professor-walter-hollenweger|title=Professor Walter Hollenweger|last=O'Connor|first=Dan|date=7 October 2016|website=Church Times|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
The Hollenweger Center at VU University, Amsterdam, was established in his honor as  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).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.godgeleerdheid.vu.nl/en/research/institutes-and-centres/hollenweger-centre/index.aspx|title=Hollenweger Centre|last=|first=|date=|website=Faculty of Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919163907/http://www.godgeleerdheid.vu.nl/en/research/institutes-and-centres/hollenweger-centre/index.aspx|archive-date=19 September 2016|access-date=28 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Works ==

* Hollenweger, W. J., ''The Pentecostals'' (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1972).
* Hollenweger, W. J., ''Pentecostalism: Origins and Developments Worldwide'' (Hendrickson Publications, 1997).

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.christianitytoday.com/ch/1998/issue58/58h042.html ''The Rise of Pentecostalism: An Interview with Walter J Hollenweger'', Jan 1998] "Christianity Today", Retrieved Jan 11, 2009.
* [http://www.wjhollenweger.ch/files/2005-02-085-hollenweger-my-pilgrimage-in-mission.pdf ''My Pilgrimage in Mission'' - Autobiographic article by Walter J Hollenweger, Apr 2005] "[[International Bulletin of Missionary Research]]" Vol. 29, No. 2, p.&nbsp;85-88, Retrieved Mar 27, 2017.
* [http://www.godgeleerdheid.vu.nl/en/research/institutes-and-centres/hollenweger-centre/index.aspx ''Hollenweger Centre''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919163907/http://www.godgeleerdheid.vu.nl/en/research/institutes-and-centres/hollenweger-centre/index.aspx |date=2016-09-19 }} at [[Vrije Universiteit|VU University Amsterdam]].

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hollenweger, Walter}}
[[Category:1927 births]]
[[Category:2016 deaths]]
[[Category:Writers from Antwerp]]
[[Category:Swiss Protestant theologians]]
[[Category:Pentecostal theologians]]
[[Category:Clergy from Antwerp]]
[[Category:Pentecostal writers]]
[[Category:Academics of the University of Birmingham]]