A Socio-historical Hermeneutical Analysis of Pauline and Lukan Pneumatological Traditions: A case study of the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe

Phillemon Munyaradzi Chamburuka

doi:10.32476/cbf8aa0c-6df1-4300-aa23-96af907057c8

Abstract

Pneumatological traditions shaped the life and identity of the Early Church and has an impact on the pneumatological traditions in the churches today. However, most readers have a tendency of reading pneumatological passages in a linear sense (which some scholars like Dunn 1990 calls literal interpretation), therefore, this article seeks to apply a socio-historical hermeneutical analysis of the Pauline and Lukan pneumatological tradition. A socio-historical analysis brings to the fore the context of these pneumatological trends by assessing the intention of the author and establishing the purpose or the reasons which led to the development of pneumatological traditions. This article will focus on debates associated with the notion that glossolalia is an initial evidence of baptism in the Spirit. The selection of this pneumatological tradition has been inspired by the different interpretations of pneumatological passages in churches today especially among Pentecostals. We will have a case study of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) which is the oldest Pentecostal church in Zimbabwe. The article concludes that most churches including AFM have a selective reading of pneumatological passages and lack depth on the socio-historical background of pneumatological traditions in the New Testament. The article demonstrates that New Testament pneumatological traditions developed independently of each other and served a specific purpose in each Christian community even though in essence we encounter unity and diversity in these pneumatological traditions. Hence churches, theologians, pastors, prophets, prophetesses, apostles and the laity must be exposed the socio-historical background of key pneumatological traditions in the New Testament to avoid manipulation of pneumatological passages for personal interest and pneumatological fundamentalism.

Highlights

This article endeavours to critically assess the usage of key New Testament pneumatological expressions in the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe from a sociohistorical perspective
This article has explored the influence of New Testament pneumatologies in the understanding of glossolalia traditions in AFM in Zimbabwe
Of interest is the seeming rehearsal and imitation of glossolalia in by some of AFM adherents as compared with Early Church glossolalic practices which were spontaneous in both the Lucan and Pauline traditions

Summary

Introduction

This article endeavours to critically assess the usage of key New Testament pneumatological expressions in the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe from a sociohistorical perspective. Our main objective is to ascertain whether AFM uses pneumatological passages selectively or not. We intend to infer whether AFM pneumatological conceptions are continuous or discontinuous with those of the Early Church as portrayed in selected key New Testament pneumatological conceptions with special focus on glossolalia and prophecy. The same with some big African Independent Churches like the Johane Masowe and Johane Marange whose preachers were once initiated into AFM. No academic research or if not minute academic papers have been written about the AFM in Zimbabwe; besides commanding a biggest following (Machingura and Chamburuka, 2017:1)

Brief Background of AFM in Zimbabwe

Glossolalia in AFM

Findings

Conclusion