Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology
type: channel
description: Kairos: Evangelical Journal of Theology is a Croatian A2 scientific journal (according to the Croatian Regulations on Requirements for the Appointment to Scientific Ranks) that addresses biblical, theological, and religious topics from the perspective of evangelical theology. It is published by the Biblical Institute in Zagreb in collaboration with the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek. An article published in English in Kairos: Evangelical Journal of Theology is automatically translated and published in Croatian in Kairos: Evanđeoski teološki časopis.
publisher: The Biblical Institute; Evangelical Theological Seminary
language: en
publication name: Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology
issn: 1848-2511
items: William Lane Craig. In Quest of the Historical Adam: A Biblical and Scientific Exploration
items: The History of Biblija365
items: The Bible and the Everyday Life
items: And Which Ones Are You?
items: In His Image
items: Guidelines for the Future of Evangelical Christianity in Croatia
items: A Hopeful Future
items: Phillip Cary. The Nicene Creed: An Introduction
items: Sarah Nicholl. Integrated Mission: Recovering a Christian Spirituality for Evangelical Integral Transformation
items: Five Practical Applications of Honesty with God in the Christian Life
items: The Development and Activities of Christ’s Church of Brethren in Zagreb
items: The Poetry of Suffering in Lamentations
items: A Theological Vision for Discipleship: How Principles and Practices Work Together to Simplify Our Disciple-Making
items: Enthroned Upon the Praises
items: David F. Ford. The Gospel of John
items: Brett McCracken. The Wisdom Pyramid
items: Michael Niebauer. Virtuous Persuasion
items: From the Biblical Theological Institute in Zagreb to the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek
items: Theosis in Discipleship
items: “Different Kinds of Gospel Result In Different Kinds of Discipleship”
items: Theology of the Baptism in the Spirit and Gifts of the Spirit in the Thought of Martyn Lloyd-Jones and His Differences, Similarities, and Contributions in Comparison to Pentecostal Interpretation
items: Kevin J. Vanhoozer. Mere Christian Hermeneutics
items: Yevgeny Ustinovich. Overcoming the World: Glory and Shame in the Gospel of John
items: Paul the True Prophet
items: Jesus Demonstrated an Intentional, Relational Model of Disciple-making
items: The Role of Water Baptism in the Discipleship Process
items: Biblical Identity of Churches of the Reformation Heritage in the Republic of Croatia from 1990 to 2020
items: Churches of the Reformation Heritage in Croatia (1990–2020)
items: Carl R. Trueman. Strange New World
items: David Bradshaw. Divine Energies and Divine Action

William Lane Craig. In Quest of the Historical Adam: A Biblical and Scientific Exploration
type: item
description: This book is not an easy read. One cannot read this book fast, skimming, distracted, or deconcentrated if he wants to understand the argumentation and to get the most from the book. The footnotes are also very important to read, one should not skip them, because they help in the understanding of the main text. However, even if one reads the book in a very focused manner, there are still some sections that are not so easy to comprehend. Therefore, this book is not for an average Christian, but someone with more solid theological foundations, but also with wider general knowledge, understanding of ancient history, geography, anthropology, etc.
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
subject: book review
  topic: keywords
creator: Dalibor Kraljik
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2022-12-19
publication date: 2022-12-19
starting page: 195
ending page: 200
doi: 10.32862/

The History of Biblija365
type: item
description: The interactive mobile application Biblija365, developed and launched in Croatia on March 1, 2017, has been operational for six years. Behind this title, we find the first Croatian interactive mobile application intended for Bible reading, but also for different other social activities that the Biblija365 organization team organized or supported, and which were organized under the title B365+. Today, the B365 team’s activity can be seen through the presence of the now widely known and used application for Bible reading, through the social engagement in promoting Bible reading together with the annual “Public Reading of the Bible,” and through organization or support of numerous conferences that place the most important book in the world at their center.
subject: Other
  topic: section
subject: Bible365
  topic: keywords
subject: Bible mobile application
  topic: keywords
subject: daily Bible reading
  topic: keywords
creator: Judita Paljević-Kraljik
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2022-12-19
publication date: 2022-12-19
starting page: 183
ending page: 191
doi: 10.32862/

The Bible and the Everyday Life
type: item
description: The paper considers the biblical teaching on the phenomenon of human death, starting from the account in Genesis 2:15-17 and connecting it to other Scriptural texts. The first part considers the biblical-theological meaning of death and the Christological-soteriological answer to the problem of death. The second part of the paper presents the practical significance of the correct biblical understanding of the phenomenon of dying both for believers and unbelievers. The conclusion is that the Bible often talks about death and does not run from it but rather exposes and explains it. According to the Bible, death is God’s punishment for sin: spiritual, physical, and eternal death. It is the enemy that repeatedly wields victory over humankind, however, God, in his grace, has provided the victor over death – Jesus Christ, true man, and true God.
subject: Essay
  topic: section
subject: death
  topic: keywords
subject: law
  topic: keywords
subject: covenant
  topic: keywords
subject: resurrection
  topic: keywords
subject: wisdom
  topic: keywords
subject: gospel
  topic: keywords
creator: Lana Klokočki
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2022-12-19
publication date: 2022-12-19
starting page: 165
ending page: 180
doi: 10.32862/

And Which Ones Are You?
type: item
description: Prompted by the recent census, the author of this essay reflects on the question of evangelical believers’ identity. The first part offers a short historical overview of the Reformation, and the second speaks about similarities and differences between the Protestant and the Radical Reformation. Since there are theological differences between the two, and since the Radical Reformation stemmed from the same starting point as the Protestant Reformation, the third part considers what would be the best way to call and identify believers of those churches. In the end, speaking from the Croatian context, the author sides with the term “churches of the Reformation heritage,” although the problem remains as to which term should be used for believers in such churches.
subject: Essay
  topic: section
subject: evangelical movement
  topic: keywords
subject: evangelical believers
  topic: keywords
subject: Protestants
  topic: keywords
subject: Radical Reformation
  topic: keywords
subject: churches of the Reformation heritage
  topic: keywords
subject: free churches
  topic: keywords
creator: Ervin Budiselić
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2022-12-19
publication date: 2022-12-19
starting page: 155
ending page: 163
doi: 10.32862/

In His Image
type: item
description: One of the classic tools in Christian theological anthropology for dealing with the intricacies of human identity is the Imago Dei concept. Approaching the concept holistically, by exploring the structural, behavioral, teleological, communal, and hospitality perspectives, this article asserts that at the very core of Imago Dei is a relational design that the Creator God had in mind for humanity – his opera Magna. Theological insights drawn from the relational doctrine of Trinity, as revealed in the comprehension of J. Moltmann, W. Pannenberg, J. Zizioulas, M. Volf, and D. Augustine, are applied to the anthropological dimension of existence, unveiling what it means to be a human being made in the image of God. In the end, Imago Dei is perceived to have not only a developmental but also a fundamentally transformative function.
subject: Review article
  topic: section
subject: Imago Dei
  topic: keywords
subject: Trinity
  topic: keywords
subject: resemblance
  topic: keywords
subject: actualization
  topic: keywords
subject: community
  topic: keywords
subject: relationship
  topic: keywords
subject: development
  topic: keywords
subject: ontological transformation
  topic: keywords
creator: Lidija Ušurel
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2022-12-19
publication date: 2022-12-19
starting page: 143
ending page: 153
doi: 10.32862/k.16.2.3

Guidelines for the Future of Evangelical Christianity in Croatia
type: item
description: The article discusses the future of evangelical Christianity in Croatia. Together with analyzing the existing spiritual state, the author offers five key guidelines. He believes that their application in the everyday life of believers and churches of the Reformation heritage can accomplish the future God has prepared, and which he empowers and determines. For a biblically fruitful and God-pleasing future, local church and denomination leadership should adopt biblical guidelines and as soon as possible begin the appropriate processes to include God’s creative activity in Croatia: 1) perspective on life; 2) God’s authority in the life of a believer and the church; 3) discipleship that manifests itself in service; 4) training spiritual leaders on all levels of service to God; 5) efficient leadership system. Together with every guideline, the author suggests and explains processes belonging to it. Thinking about the future of evangelical Christianity in Croatia is focused on the consideration of God’s Word in the context of spiritual, social, and cultural reality in which evangelical Christians live and co-create with God.
subject: Original scientific paper
  topic: section
subject: God’s Word
  topic: keywords
subject: evangelical Christianity
  topic: keywords
subject: future
  topic: keywords
subject: God’s authority
  topic: keywords
subject: discipleship
  topic: keywords
subject: church leadership
  topic: keywords
creator: Stanko Jambrek
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2022-12-19
publication date: 2022-12-19
starting page: 111
ending page: 142
doi: 10.32862/k.16.2.2

A Hopeful Future
type: item
description: Despite valid criticisms and the challenge of definition, evangelicalism remains a real and vital coalition of like-minded Christians committed to the historic Christian faith both globally and in Croatia. Evangelical Christianity in Croatia has its distinct history, challenges, and needs for its future, and its theologians will need to play a crucial role in the ongoing life and growth of evangelical churches. Four important areas are highlighted for the role of the theologian: commitment to scriptural teaching and discipleship in local churches; critical evaluation of outside influences; engagement with and contribution to the global evangelical faith, and engagement with wider Croatian society and Roman Catholicism. While some evangelicals approach the future with optimistic, pessimistic, or realistic approaches, the future of evangelical Christianity in Croatia is rather rooted in a hopeful view: the eschatological hope of the Gospel. The life, death, and resurrection of the Messiah Jesus and the gift of the eschatological Spirit to the church form the historical basis by which evangelical Christians in Croatia are called and empowered to live out their future hope in the present.
subject: Preliminary communication
  topic: section
subject: evangelicalism
  topic: keywords
subject: evangelical Christianity
  topic: keywords
subject: theology
  topic: keywords
subject: eschatology
  topic: keywords
subject: hope
  topic: keywords
creator: Gregory S. Thellman
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2026-03-09
publication date: 2026-03-09
starting page: 97
ending page: 110
doi: 10.32862/k.16.2.1

Phillip Cary. The Nicene Creed: An Introduction
type: item
description: Cary’s book is not a definitive work on the Nicene Creed for those who want to research its theological and philosophical depths, and even some preachers will want more discussion on its history, protagonists, and meaning. Towards the end, it has shortcomings when discussing the Church and Baptism, possibly because these truths were not a focus of the Church Fathers at the councils of Nicaea (325) and Constantinople (381). Having said that, I believe that The Nicene Creed will serve everyone, from an interested teenager to a college professor, as an excellent resource that will do exactly as its subtitle promises, give An Introduction to the Creed. And since it is the 1,700th anniversary of Nicaea, I heartily recommend that all my readers read this insightful book.
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
subject: Nicene Creed
  topic: keywords
subject: Trinity
  topic: keywords
subject: Christian doctrine
  topic: keywords
subject: church history
  topic: keywords
subject: ecumenical theology
  topic: keywords
creator: Miroslav Balint-Feudvarski
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-31
publication date: 2025-10-31
starting page: 281
ending page: 284
doi: 10.32862/

Sarah Nicholl. Integrated Mission: Recovering a Christian Spirituality for Evangelical Integral Transformation
type: item
description: Nicholl offers a compelling case for both the lacuna within Lausanne and a way forward, drawing from a rich tapestry of historical and contemporary voices reimagined for the present. But perhaps this critique of Lausanne actually reveals the deeper issue—a past overreliance on Western voices, which have tended to be more dualistic, prescriptive, and pragmatic—to shape the conversation to the neglect of other cultural perspectives that already view the world more holistically. In light of this, it is helpful that she engages with voices from Latin America as well as from another Christian stream. Curiously, however, all her interlocutors are men, and although it is obvious she carefully chose each individual, numerous women could have brought additional nuance and enlarged perspective to the discussion.
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
subject: Integrated mission
  topic: keywords
subject: Evangelical spirituality
  topic: keywords
subject: Missiology
  topic: keywords
subject: Practical theology
  topic: keywords
subject: Lausanne Movement
  topic: keywords
creator: Melody Wachsmuth
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-31
publication date: 2025-10-31
starting page: 277
ending page: 280
doi: 10.32862/

Five Practical Applications of Honesty with God in the Christian Life
type: item
description: Admittedly, the commonest instinct of human beings after the Fall is to run from the Creator and wear masks while hiding behind all kinds of appearances (like false religion, “good” deeds, and/or good intentions). Despite this (or perhaps for this reason precisely), God, in his all-knowing wisdom, has ordained honesty and the idea of living in transparency (by the Light of his Word) to heal and repair the broken relationship with him. This means that we, as humans, must be completely open with Yahweh first and foremost, but also with ourselves, admitting our faults to ourselves rather than ignoring them. Honesty with God, in other words, means renouncing all attempts to justify, minimize, or even deny the grievousness of our sin (otherwise said, renouncing all masks and the appearance of human “goodness”) so that we might be not just forgiven, but also cleansed, healed and restored (at least partially, until the “completeness” comes). Thus, based on the biblical premise that transparency is the best shield against deceit and self-deceit, this article discusses five practical applications that the habit of being completely transparent with ourselves – but, most importantly, with God – develops in our Christian walk of faith.
subject: Professional paper
  topic: section
subject: sincerity
  topic: keywords
subject: transparency
  topic: keywords
subject: confessing
  topic: keywords
subject: forgiveness
  topic: keywords
subject: inner healing
  topic: keywords
subject: purity of motives
  topic: keywords
creator: Delia Doina Mihai
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-31
publication date: 2025-10-31
starting page: 263
ending page: 274
doi: 10.32862/k.19.2.5

The Development and Activities of Christ’s Church of Brethren in Zagreb
type: item
description: Christ’s Church of Brethren in Zagreb, from its founding in 1946 until the early 1970s, was one of the largest and most active communities in Croatia. Located in the very center, near the main square of Zagreb, at Gajeva 9a, it had approximately a hundred members. The members of the church were actively involved in evangelization, primarily through distributing tracts, sharing personal testimony, and visiting surrounding areas, despite the restrictions imposed by the communist regime. Conferences were held twice a year, bringing together all the Brethren communities from the former Yugoslavia. The church was visited by famous foreign preachers such as Bakht Singh and Roger T. Foster. Visits by various foreign missionaries, especially from Switzerland and England, and later also from Germany, opened up new opportunities, especially for young people, to participate in Christian events outside the country. In addition to trips and conferences, trips for young people and camps in Gorski Kotar, near Lake Lokvar, were regularly organized, as well as trips to England, all of which left a great mark on the lives of young people. Publishing occupied an important place in evangelization and encouragement, discipleship, and the upbringing of believers. Dr. Branko Đaković, one of the elders of Christ’s Church of Brethren in Zagreb, left behind a significant number of translations of Christian literature. His most notable translation work is a complete translation of the entire Holy Scripture. Also, his Bible Dictionary is the first Protestant Bible dictionary in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, and his Bible translations are the first standard Protestant translations in Croatia. The first part provides an overview of the emergence of Brethren churches in Europe, their spread to the former Yugoslavia, and the development of Christ’s Church of Brethren in Zagreb...
subject: Original scientific paper
  topic: section
subject: Christ’s Church of Brethren in Zagreb
  topic: keywords
subject: Brethren movement
  topic: keywords
subject: Brethren Herald
  topic: keywords
subject: Bible
  topic: keywords
subject: Branko Đaković
  topic: keywords
creator: Iva Đaković
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-31
publication date: 2025-10-31
starting page: 219
ending page: 261
doi: 10.32862/k.19.2.4

The Poetry of Suffering in Lamentations
type: item
description: The Book of Lamentations is significant in Jewish culture, extending far beyond its religious dimensions, because it reflects the recurring disasters and tragic events that have shaped the Jewish national experience throughout history. In this article, the author offers an in-depth literary and theological analysis of the Book of Lamentations, emphasizing its significance within Jewish culture and religious tradition. The book is investigated not merely as an expression of grief over the traumatic destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple in the 6th century BCE, but also as a structured poetic work that delivers educational, didactic, and moral messages. The article is divided into three main parts. The first part provides a general and concise introduction assisting the reader in understanding various aspects of the book, including its historical background, the origin of its title, the tradition of its composition, and its placement within the canon of the Hebrew Bible. The second and core part of the article dissects the book’s structure, literary genre, and the thematic organization of its five chapters. It highlights the unique linguistic features of Lamentations and their impact on Hebrew language and literature, both ancient and modern. The final section addresses the theological paradox of faith in a just God amidst suffering and injustice, a central motif in the Book of Lamentations. The author examines the pathways of rabbinic literature to gain insight into Judaism’s perspective on the question of suffering and affliction in the world. This analysis includes excerpts of rabbinic texts, bridging classical Jewish thought with contemporary discussions. The article integrates literary and theological insights, offering a nuanced understanding of Lamentations as a cultural, historical, and religious artifact.
subject: Original scientific paper
  topic: section
subject: destruction
  topic: keywords
subject: Hebrew
  topic: keywords
subject: Jerusalem
  topic: keywords
subject: Lamentations
  topic: keywords
subject: literary analysis
  topic: keywords
subject: Talmud
  topic: keywords
creator: Kotel Dadon
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-31
publication date: 2025-10-31
starting page: 193
ending page: 217
doi: 10.32862/k.19.2.3

A Theological Vision for Discipleship: How Principles and Practices Work Together to Simplify Our Disciple-Making
type: item
description: In this article, I employ doctrine to understand the concept of discipleship from a theological standpoint and the practical outworking of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. My work suggests that disciple-making begins with the triune God as the one who creates and matures his people in Christlikeness. When rightly understood, this serves to shape how we, God’s people, partner with God in making disciples. Specifically, seeing that discipleship is ultimately God’s design and work, it follows that God’s people should make disciples in submission to and dependence on him. This sort of posture looks like allowing the principles by which God has ordered the disciple-making process to govern our disciple-making practices. In this article, I frame God’s disciple-making principles in this way: God creates and matures his people (1) by his Spirit through his Word, (2) in relation to the local church, and (3) over a long period of time. In response to these principles, God’s people should uphold the centrality of Word-based ministry, the importance of the local church, and the espousal of accurate expectations in their disciple-making practices. This ordering of principles and practices serves to simplify disciple-making for us by defining success, clarifying a biblical philosophy of ministry, and providing us with boundaries and freedom. Consequently, the theological vision for discipleship I present in this article is something that Christians desperately need to comprehend and appropriate as we are constantly presented with an assortment of new methods and models for fulfilling the Great Commission.
subject: Professional paper
  topic: section
subject: discipleship
  topic: keywords
subject: Great Commission
  topic: keywords
subject: philosophy of ministry
  topic: keywords
subject: Word ministry
  topic: keywords
subject: local church
  topic: keywords
subject: progressive sanctification
  topic: keywords
creator: Benjamin D. Spector
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-10-31
publication date: 2025-10-31
starting page: 159
ending page: 191
doi: 10.32862/k.19.2.2

Enthroned Upon the Praises
type: item
description: Whereas other scholarship often focuses on the object(s) of worship in Revelation, this study examines the world-building functions of worship in Revelation 4 and 5 through its participation in temple theology. This paper establishes the meaning of temple theology by surveying various ancient Near Eastern cultures, and it connects worship and temple theology by calling attention to worship’s functions of identification and orientation. This study then examines the worship in Revelation 4 and 5 through the lens of temple theology and draws conclusions about the functions of worship based on this examination. Because of worship’s role in establishing the new, world-encompassing temple, worship can be viewed as an act of creation, reverberating from the very throne of God.
subject: Original scientific paper
  topic: section
subject: worship
  topic: keywords
subject: Revelation
  topic: keywords
subject: temple
  topic: keywords
subject: temple theology
  topic: keywords
subject: creation
  topic: keywords
creator: Zachary Shaffer
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-11-19
publication date: 2025-11-19
starting page: 143
ending page: 158
doi: 10.32862/k.19.2.1

David F. Ford. The Gospel of John
type: item
description: How should a student of scripture make use of Ford’s commentary on John? As a biblical scholar, I am supportive and enthusiastic about the growing sub-genre of “theological commentary” and Ford’s is an excellent exemplar of the genre. As such, I recommend using Ford’s commentary alongside and in discussion with other more exegetically oriented commentaries to preach and teach through the Gospel. It should also prove a valuable guide for theological and missiological exploration of John’s Gospel, in particular in John’s role in the formation of important Christian doctrine and its universal scope that points toward world mission. Finally, Ford will make a skilled and encouraging theological companion for any believer in an intensive reading or daily devotional reading through the Gospel of John, written so that its readers may believe, or continue to believe “that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing… have life in his name” (John 20:31 ESV).
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
subject: The Gospel of John
  topic: keywords
creator: Gregory S. Thellman
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-06-12
publication date: 2023-06-12
starting page: 87
ending page: 93
doi: 10.32862/

Brett McCracken. The Wisdom Pyramid
type: item
description: This book was written in a simple style, and it is by no means just another popular Christian book. It is a book for everyone – from academics to students, from pastors to laity, and finally – for every believer. It is a call to a better, more substantial life based on Scripture, inside the church, involved in the reaching of this world that belongs to God. Modern time is not the time when we think that wisdom has reached its pinnacle, but a time in need of true wisdom. Only by living wisely in a way that is relevant and well spent, the way this book describes, and by giving our voices to the culture we live in through the gospel we have experienced and which we proclaim, we will contribute to God’s world that requires renewal. That is why I recommend this book – because it directs us to the Book through which we discover how to think and act in God’s way in a world that only has its way.
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
subject: Wisdom
  topic: keywords
subject: soul
  topic: keywords
subject: post-truth world
  topic: keywords
creator: Matej Sakač
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-06-12
publication date: 2023-06-12
starting page: 82
ending page: 87
doi: 10.32862/

Michael Niebauer. Virtuous Persuasion
type: item
description: Despite this mild criticism, I want to say again that Niebauer’s monograph is a precious and helpful contribution to the mission and moral theology. Therefore, the book should be mandatory for every (potential) theologian, professional or amateur missionary, and pastor.
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
subject: Christian Mission
  topic: keywords
creator: Miroslav Balint-Feudvarski
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-06-12
publication date: 2023-06-12
starting page: 75
ending page: 81
doi: 10.32862/

From the Biblical Theological Institute in Zagreb to the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek
type: item
description: We express our gratitude to God for the dedication and contributions of the many teachers, associates, and volunteers from both local and international communities who have wholeheartedly worked toward the growth and development of this esteemed higher education institution over the years. The alumni of this institution are now serving in various churches, denominations, and Christian organizations across Europe and the world, as pastors, religious teachers, professors, and workers in Christian media, humanitarian, and other social fields.
subject: Other
  topic: section
subject: The Biblical Institute Zagreb
  topic: keywords
subject: Evangelical Theological Seminary in Osijek
  topic: keywords
creator: Damir Špoljarić
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-06-12
publication date: 2023-06-12
starting page: 67
ending page: 72
doi: 10.32862/

Theosis in Discipleship
type: item
description: If we establish that the meaning of theosis is to become like God through the process of becoming like Christ, and if the goal of discipleship is to become like Christ, then it becomes evident that these two concepts are closely related. The article briefly explains the concepts of discipleship and theosis, and the most common evangelical discipleship setting (one-on-one or small group). Then it suggests four modules for teaching theosis in a discipleship setting: created to be Godlike, Godlikeness lost, restoring Godlikeness, and becoming fully Godlike. This model brings together theosis and discipleship which provides a new and helpful approach for raising Christlike/Godlike disciples.
subject: Review article
  topic: section
subject: theosis
  topic: keywords
subject: discipleship
  topic: keywords
subject: evangelicals
  topic: keywords
subject: Christlikeness
  topic: keywords
subject: Godlikeness
  topic: keywords
creator: Goran Medved
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-06-12
publication date: 2023-06-12
starting page: 57
ending page: 64
doi: 10.32862/k.17.1.4

“Different Kinds of Gospel Result In Different Kinds of Discipleship”
type: item
description: Due to troublesome symptoms emerging and accelerating in American Protestant and Evangelical communities, this article discusses how the Gospel and how discipleship manifests in the American church today. Using Bill Hull’s suggestions about six variations of “Gospel Models,” the first section of this article briefly describes each model and shows in which ways each model impacts discipleship. In the second section, using The Hartford database of US Megachurches, the article analyzes how a subset of the churches in the database define their mission. The conclusion is that discipleship is rare as the primary mission for American churches in terms of actual wording if there is any standing in the words at all. The article concludes that troublesome symptoms emerging and accelerating in American Protestant and Evangelical communities are organizational, caused by the underlying tensions between the Kingdom-focused Gospel of Christ, and the historical traditions and societal morphing underfoot in Western Christianity. Because the trends are organizational, they are, by definition, a leadership issue rather than attributing deficiencies to defective individual followers of Christ. Only leadership has the authority and influence to change an organization, excluding anarchy.
subject: Professional paper
  topic: section
subject: discipleship
  topic: keywords
subject: gospel
  topic: keywords
subject: gospel models
  topic: keywords
subject: Bill Hull
  topic: keywords
subject: leadership
  topic: keywords
subject: culture change
  topic: keywords
creator: Dennis Allen
creator: Raymond Monroe
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-06-12
publication date: 2023-06-12
starting page: 41
ending page: 55
doi: 10.32862/k.17.1.3

Theology of the Baptism in the Spirit and Gifts of the Spirit in the Thought of Martyn Lloyd-Jones and His Differences, Similarities, and Contributions in Comparison to Pentecostal Interpretation
type: item
description: The article explores the theology of the baptism in the Spirit in the context of Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ position and the Assemblies of God Pentecostal movement. Besides including the short historical and contextual overview of the theology of the baptism in the Spirit in the Pentecostal movement and Lloyd-Jones, the article also provides insight into their primary emphases. Both sides claim that the baptism in the Spirit is an experience separate from the new birth. Assemblies of God believe it is crucial to point out that baptism in the Spirit opens up possibilities of new experiences, sanctification, and speaking in tongues. Lloyd-Jones mostly agrees with this, with the exception that baptism in the Spirit is the same as the sealing we see in the Epistle to the Ephesians, where he sees the sealing with the initial sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit as the firm assurance of what we already have (sonship) and a strong experience of God’s love, which is the motivation for powerful preaching and witnessing. According to Lloyd-Jones, his interpretation of the gift of speaking in tongues does differ from the understanding of Assemblies of God. Tongues are not necessarily the initial sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and their use is not under a person’s control but under the control of the Spirit’s sovereign work. The article explains these differences and similarities and calls for dialogue and consideration of Lloyd-Jones’ thought in his contribution to the Pentecostal theology of the baptism in the Spirit.
subject: Review article
  topic: section
subject: Pentecostalism
  topic: keywords
subject: Martyn Lloyd-Jones
  topic: keywords
subject: Assemblies of God
  topic: keywords
subject: baptism in the Spirit
  topic: keywords
subject: glossolalia
  topic: keywords
subject: Holy Spirit
  topic: keywords
creator: Matej Sakač
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2023-06-12
publication date: 2023-06-12
starting page: 23
ending page: 40
doi: 10.32862/k.17.1.2

Kevin J. Vanhoozer. Mere Christian Hermeneutics
type: item
description: Summarizing this work is not an easy task, but that is not meant as a negative comment. Rather, there is a richness to the book that will require readers to be fully immersed in its logic and transfigural persuasiveness. In addition, multiple terms and concepts are either freshly formulated by the author or used distinctly. Thankfully, there is a helpful glossary at the end of the book that will assist the reader in understanding these carefully nuanced ideas (i.e., the difference between “trans-figural interpretation” and “transfigural interpretation”).
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Gregory S. Thellman
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 129
ending page: 134

Yevgeny Ustinovich. Overcoming the World: Glory and Shame in the Gospel of John
type: item
description: Overcoming the World offers a helpful resource in multiple contexts. Its accessibility and relevance would make it ideal for a Bible study series in a local church or an up-to-date companion to The Cost of Discipleship in a seminary course, for example. Those seeking a biblically informed perspective on the war in Ukraine may find value in reading this work alone or in a group discussion setting. In the end, through faithful study of the Gospel of John and genuine fervor, Ustinovich has achieved his goal of offering encouragement to disciples from various backgrounds who identify with the torn Savior.
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Jeremy Bohall
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-04
publication date: 2025-06-04
starting page: 127
ending page: 129

Paul the True Prophet
type: item
description: The links between Acts 27 and Jonah’s story and, more specifically, between Jonah and Paul have been recognized. There are more, but I will only list six similarities and six differences between the two protagonists, Jonah and Paul, respectively. This contrasting type of comparison is known as synkrisis. By comparing the two stories and the two protagonists, this paper will demonstrate how Acts 27 portrays Paul as God’s reliable and obedient prophet as opposed to Jonah. Finally, Richard Hays’ seven criteria of intertextuality will be listed, and the synkrisis will be evaluated according to them.
subject: Review article
  topic: section
subject: Paul
  topic: keywords
subject: Jonah
  topic: keywords
subject: Jewish prophet
  topic: keywords
subject: Acts of the Apostles
  topic: keywords
subject: presentation in the Acts of the Apostles
  topic: keywords
creator: Tamás Czövek
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-04
publication date: 2025-06-04
starting page: 111
ending page: 124
doi: 10.32862/k.19.1.5

Jesus Demonstrated an Intentional, Relational Model of Disciple-making
type: item
description: By reading the Gospels, we can see that Jesus demonstrated an intentional, relational model of disciple-making. In his desire to reach the crowd, Jesus focused on a small group of people with the goal of making disciples who would make more disciples—for at least two valid reasons: internalization and multiplication. Within the context of close-knit relationships, Jesus sought to, in a way, multiply himself through the Twelve. But the question is why the church, to a great extent, did not follow that discipleship model. The article suggests two possible reasons: the first reason is this: We have been preaching a non-discipleship, forgiveness-only gospel. The second reason we have failed to follow the biblical model we observe in the Gospels is that we tend to substitute programs for Jesus’ intentional, relational approach. By contrasting program with relationship, the article offers two provocative conclusions: 1. If we could have made disciples by preaching to people, the job would have been done long ago. 2. Even the greatest preacher who ever lived—Jesus himself—did not rely on his preaching to make disciples. He relied on his personal association.
subject: Conference paper
  topic: section
subject: discipleship
  topic: keywords
subject: relations
  topic: keywords
subject: internalization
  topic: keywords
subject: multiplication
  topic: keywords
creator: Greg Ogden
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-04
publication date: 2025-06-04
starting page: 95
ending page: 110
doi: 10.32862/k.19.1.4

The Role of Water Baptism in the Discipleship Process
type: item
description: This article focuses on how evangelical churches in general, notably in Croatia, view the role and position of water baptism in the discipleship process. However, the relationship between baptism and discipleship will serve as an opportunity to examine other aspects of the discipleship process, primarily the link between evangelism and discipleship. Hence, in the first part of the article, we will briefly discuss and examine some key elements of the Great Commission to get a sense of it and see different interpretations and understandings of that text. Second, based on the Gospels, we will see how Jesus’ followers would understand and define discipleship based on their experience with Jesus and how that experience shaped their understanding of the Great Commission. Third, we will discuss the relationship (or, better to say, current dichotomy) between “evangelism” and “discipleship” and argue for an understanding of these two activities that is, I would suggest, more faithful to the NT texts. Finally, we will discuss the role and position of water baptism in the discipleship process. Since the purpose of this discussion is to evaluate the theology and practice of evangelicals regarding a better understanding of water baptism and...
subject: Original scientific paper
  topic: section
subject: discipleship
  topic: keywords
subject: baptism
  topic: keywords
subject: evangelism
  topic: keywords
subject: the Great Commission
  topic: keywords
subject: evangelical churches
  topic: keywords
creator: Ervin Budiselić
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 75
ending page: 94
doi: 10.32862/k.19.1.3

Biblical Identity of Churches of the Reformation Heritage in the Republic of Croatia from 1990 to 2020
type: item
description: The article aimed to investigate and describe the biblical identity of the Churches of the Reformation Heritage (CRH) in the Republic of Croatia from 1990 to 2020. The author utilized sources such as newspapers, magazines, books, and social media published by the CRH during the relevant period, as well as personal observations of how CRH believers identified themselves, biblical texts, and his own long-term experience as a CRH member and an associate of CRH’s educational and research institutions. The biblical identity of the CRH is based on the fundamental common belief that the Bible is the Word of God and, therefore, the supreme authority for faith and life, which includes the identity that God gives to those who accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. The believers in CRH identified themselves, based on the New Testament texts, as born-again, consciously baptized, “in Christ,” saved, converted, God’s children and God’s family, Christ’s disciples, saints, Biblical or New Testament Christians, and as God’s, that is, Christ’s church. Biblical identity was primarily shaped through participation in local church activities, where the Bible was taught and studied, as well as through personal Bible reading and study. Certain deviations from biblical identity are also described.
subject: Original scientific paper
  topic: section
subject: Churches of the Reformation
  topic: keywords
subject: Evangelical Christians
  topic: keywords
subject: Bible
  topic: keywords
subject: Identity
  topic: keywords
creator: Goran Medved
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-04
publication date: 2025-06-04
doi: 10.32862/k.19.1.2

Churches of the Reformation Heritage in Croatia (1990–2020)
type: item
description: The article presents summarized and partial results of a five-year research (2022-2026) on the scientific project “Churches of Reformation Heritage in Croatia (1990-2020).” The article is published in two parts, in the spring and autumn editions of the Kairos Journal. The first part focuses on the legal status, restructuring, and overall state of churches of the Reformation Heritage in Croatia in 2021. The second part discusses and analyzes the burning issue of their spiritual, theological, and social identity. The first part of the article explains the objectives of the project, its applied research methodology, and terminology used, while also defining key concepts and explaining the basic characteristics of the aforementioned churches. The article then explores the legal status of churches after the separation of the Republic of Croatia from Yugoslavia and its independence in 1991. The legal status of churches in the Republic of Croatia was established by the Constitution, the Act on the Legal Status of Religious Communities, contracts of individual religious communities with the Government of the Republic of Croatia, and accompanying implementing acts...
subject: Original scientific paper
  topic: section
subject: legal status
  topic: keywords
subject: identity of Christians
  topic: keywords
subject: evangelical Christianity
  topic: keywords
subject: churches of the Reformation heritage
  topic: keywords
subject: Protestantism; Baptists
  topic: keywords
subject: Pentecostals
  topic: keywords
subject: charismatics
  topic: keywords
subject: independent churches
  topic: keywords
subject: Churches of Christ
  topic: keywords
creator: Stanko Jambrek
rights: Copyright (c) 2025 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2025-06-12
publication date: 2025-06-12
starting page: 7
ending page: 48
doi: 10.32862/k.19.1.1

Carl R. Trueman. Strange New World
type: item
description: Strange New World is a book that every leader should have a chance to read, especially European Christian leaders who are waiting for all the trends from the West to come to Europe in larger form. This book can help you understand and navigate how to find the way to be salt in this strange new world. Christians are confused, they do not know how to prepare for the coming trends and how to protect their families from the influence of the things mentioned above. My recommendation is, to get this book, read it, and share it with others, whoever you are, pastor or worker. This work is scholarly, but people should not be afraid. It is not written on a level that a layperson might always have a hard time reading. The book does point you to certain bibliographical references and these are worth checking. Readers might only sometimes stop and check on the internet some stuff that Trueman mentions. At the end of the book, there is an index and a short glossary. If someone needs to find more information about the topic of the book, that person might read a larger book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. If you want to share this message with your church and friends, then this book would be a guiding book for understanding today’s culture.
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Matej Sakač
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-11-23
publication date: 2024-11-23
starting page: 259
ending page: 263

David Bradshaw. Divine Energies and Divine Action
type: item
description: I would like to say that reading the book Divine Energies and Divine Action was both challenging and rewarding. As a work in philosophical theology, it will be inaccessible to most Christians without at least some philosophical background. Nevertheless, I believe that most pastors and especially theologians should be able to gain a better understanding of the topic and perhaps even some new ideas in lieu of its application to Christian life and theology.
subject: Book Reviews
  topic: section
creator: Miroslav Balint-Feudvarski
rights: Copyright (c) 2024 Kairos : Evangelical Journal of Theology https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
date: 2024-11-23
publication date: 2024-11-23
starting page: 253
ending page: 258