Spirit and Voice: Toward a Feminist Pentecostal Pneumatology

Abstract

AbstractThis article suggests that bringing feminist pneumatology and Pentecostal spirituality into dialogue may provide new opportunities link women's empowerment with the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Following a brief overview of feminist pneumatology and Pentecostal spirituality, it exposits Sarah Coakley's pneumatology, arguing that her insights lead us to inquire about the ways in which Charismatic piety might contribute to the empowerment of Pentecostal women in the majority world today. The article then highlights sociological research which shows that Latin American women's ecstatic experiences of the Spirit are frequently linked with an increased sense of personal subjectivity, and the ability to “give voice” in both public and private spheres. It concludes with a proposal for speaking of the Holy Spirit as the divine voice, suggesting that this may be one way to move toward a constructive feminist Pentecostal pneumatology.