A DISTINCTIVE PENTECOSTAL HERMENEUTIC: POSSIBLE AND/OR NECESSARY?

M Nel

doi:10.18820/23099089/actat.v37i2.6

Abstract

Over the past twenty years, Pentecostal theologians have published extensively on hermeneutical issues, a subject that had not received much consideration before the mid-1990s. In their discussion of hermeneutical issues, Pentecostal theologians may create the impression that their hermeneutics is so unique that one can speak of a distinctive Pentecostal hermeneutics. This article raises the question as to whether it is possible and/or necessary to speak of such a distinctive hermeneutics. The growing debate among Pentecostals about hermeneutical issues demonstrates that they disagree on several important issues. They should also discount the difference between an academic hermeneutics and what happens on their pulpits and in their pews. Although there are specific identifiable emphases in a Pentecostal hermeneutics, it does not qualify to be called distinctive, and an ecumenical approach demands that the movement should function within the context of the wider Christian church and its history of reading and interpreting the Bible.

Highlights

During the Dialogue Between the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church and Some Classical Pentecostals (1977-1982) held in Rome, Venice and Collegeville, Minnesota (Gómez 2016:1), Howard M
Over the past twenty years, several Pentecostals devoted their attention to the issues posed by Pentecostal hermeneutics, and the majority of them seemingly support Ervin’s viewpoint of Pentecostal hermeneutics as distinctive from other theological traditions
This article poses the question: Is it appropriate and proper to speak of Pentecostal hermeneutics as distinctive?

Summary

INTRODUCTION

During the Dialogue Between the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church and Some Classical Pentecostals (1977-1982) held in Rome, Venice and Collegeville, Minnesota (Gómez 2016:1), Howard M. Ervin (1981:22), a Baptist theologian who has been involved with Pentecostal issues and served as a representative of the Pentecostal team, suggested for the first. Time that Pentecostal hermeneutics differs such a great deal from other traditions that it is possible to call Pentecostal interpretation distinctive from the hermeneutics of other traditions.. Time that Pentecostal hermeneutics differs such a great deal from other traditions that it is possible to call Pentecostal interpretation distinctive from the hermeneutics of other traditions.1 Over the past twenty years, several Pentecostals devoted their attention to the issues posed by Pentecostal hermeneutics, and the majority of them seemingly support Ervin’s viewpoint of Pentecostal hermeneutics as distinctive from other theological traditions. This article poses the question: Is it appropriate and proper to speak of Pentecostal hermeneutics as distinctive?

A DISTINCTIVE PENTECOSTAL HERMENEUTICS?

DISTINCTIVE PENTECOSTAL HERMENEUTICS

SYNTHESIS