14
superiority is reminiscent of the attitudes displayed by some Charismatics of the second wave. In
Look Out! The Pentecostals Are Coming Wagner rarely considers theological liberalism, lack of
contextualization, or carnality in church as reasons for lack of church growth instead Wagners
solution to world evangelism is the Pentecostal movement and charismatic activity now under
the banner of the "Third Wave."
Wagner does recognize the Holy Spirit and preaching, but his writings focus on signs and
wonders, or demons, or some other interest rather than the Holy Spirit. Demonology dominates
Wagner's soteriology. Most evangelicals affirm that spiritual warfare exists and Christians must
pray for the lost. Yet, Wagner maintains an unbalanced emphasis on the demonic.
56
Wagner
contends that the world is subdivided into demonic "feudal" kingdoms (Daniel chapter ten)
making power evangelism a necessity.
57
Wagner agrees with the Roman Catholic priest, Tom
Forrest, who writes, "If signs and wonders were necessary in Jesus own task of evangelization,
how much more so for us?" Anglican Michael Harper concurs, "Miracles help people believe."
58
Wagners Third Wave soteriology does involve Christ. Wagner explains, "The object of
healing for the unsaved is as bait. It attracts their attention to the power of Christ, who can also
save."
59
However, if Wagners writings are any indication, soteriology has taken a back seat to
56
Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics, Vol. iii, 3, G.W. Bromiley and T.F. Torrance, eds.
(Edinburgh: T. &T. Clark, 1962), 519. "The very thing which the demons are waiting for,
especially in theology, is that we should find them dreadfully interesting and give them our
serious and perhaps systematic attention."
57
Wagner, Third Wave, 42.
58
Ibid., 92.
59
Wagner, Look Out!, 129.