Dance to the Beat of Your Own Drum: Classical Pentecostals in Ecumenical Dialogue

Abstract

The theological themes and ecumenical methods which dominate current ecumenical discourse reflect the preferences of the traditions long active in the movement. This poses a serious challenge to the growing participation of the Pentecostal and Evangelical sections of Christianity in ecumenical dialogues. Their integration demands not only that they learn to step into this history, but also that their spiritual and theological particularities carry weight in the further development of ecumenical theology. Four decades of International Roman Catholic–Classical Pentecostal Dialogue demonstrate how courageous choices regarding themes, dialogue method and theological method can mature and bear fruit. It teaches new partners in the ecumenical dance not to simply copy the rhythms and moves of their dialogue partners, but to dance to the beat of their own drums.