Pentecostal Theology Research Articles

De l'affliction à la prédication: quand les souffrants parlent à la communauté

Comment les fidèles confrontés à la souffrance peuvent-ils se présenter à leurs coreligionnaires, dans les milieux charismatiques, où prédomine l'idée du juste béni par le bien-être et la santé? C'est ce que l'auteur a entrepris d'élucider au travers d'une enquête ethnographique dans une communauté évangélique charismatique, à Genève. Il a focalisé son attention sur les témoignages de souffrants prononcés lors d'un même culte—la particularité étant de relever les interactions d'individus s'expliquant à d'autres membres dans un contexte habituel. À vrai dire, ces personnes malades, que les prières de guérison n'ont pu aider efficacement, se trouvent dans une position de légitimation difficile face à leur environnement de croyance. L'auteur montre que, au-delà de leur justification, l'argumentaire implique une explication de la souffrance endurée, laquelle provoque du même coup un renversement de statut des intervenants. De stigmatisées, les personnes souffrantes deviennent des figures charismatiques priant pour les autres membres de la communauté.

An Interpretive Review Essay on Amos Yong's Spirit-Word-Community: Theological Hermeneutics in Trinitarian Perspective

Amos Yong's Spirit-Word-Community stands as the most significant work on theological hermeneutics to date by a Pentecostal theologian. I offer an interpretation of his project as it intertwines ontological, metaphysical, epistemological and hermeneutical concerns in the trialectic of Spirit-Word-Community. I assess this project as articulating the paradigm from which his other theological writings work, as a bold effort in its scope, and as helpfully urging Pentecostal theology toward a 'hermeneutical realism'.

Whither Pentecostal Theology? Why a Catholic is Interested

AbstractThe essay explores the future direction of Pentecostal theology by posing a dialogue question that emerges in the conversation between Catholics and Pentecostals. This concerns the "supernatural" character of grace as understood and experienced in both traditions. How is this character preserved as it engages all dimensions of our humanity? Two aspects of this affirmation are explored. First, grace perfects all aspects of human nature including human agency, thus our common emphasis on transformation and Christian perfection. Second, the Church's mission ad extra embraces its witness in the secular realm in the arenas of culture, justice, peace, and the integrity of creation. The challenge to both traditions is how to preserve the supernatural gratuity of grace as the church enacts this mission in the transit from church to world.

Pentecostal Theology for the Twenty-First Century: Engaging with Multi-Faith Singapore

Pentecostal Theology for the Twenty-First Century: Engaging with Multi-Faith Singapore

Pentecostal Theology for the Twentieth-First Century. Engaging with Multi-Faith Singapore

Pentecostal Theology for the Twentieth-First Century. Engaging with Multi-Faith Singapore

Getting Back to the Heart of the Matter: The Way Forward and a Final Response to Tony Moon

AbstractIn this last in a series of discussions between Tony Moon and the author regarding Pentecostal theology of religions in Bishop King, emphasis is on the core lesson of the conversation and its positive application. It gives brief attention to demonstrating the verity and viability of an optimistic approach contra supposed detractions and oppositions. It concludes that the example of King, and of others, such as Charles Parham and George Britt, indicates there is a historical and theological basis in Classical Pentecostalism for developing a contemporary inclusivist Christian theology of religions from a Pentecostal perspective.

Many Tongues, Many Senses: Pentecost, the Body Politic, and the Redemption of Dis/Ability

AbstractDisability studies and Pentecostal studies have not interacted much in the young history of both fields of inquiry. This essay identifies some of the reasons for this missed interface, explores how disability perspectives might bring to the fore resources for rethinking Pentecostal understandings of disability, explicates (with the help of a disability hermeneutic) the Pentecostal theology of "many tongues" bearing witness to the gospel with the correlative motif of "many senses" capable of receiving and giving witness to the works of God, and reassesses the possibility of Pentecostal contributions to theology of disability and disability studies in light of the "many senses" motif. My thesis is that the dialogue between disability studies and Pentecostal studies will be challenging but also helpful for both sides, even as our joint efforts might also testify to the wonders of God in and through the diversity of embodied human experiences.

Hymnody and Liturgy in the Azusa Street Revival, 1906-1908

AbstractParticipants in the Azusa Street Revival regularly emphasized the nonliturgical nature of their Spirit-led worship. This article argues, however, that while worshippers eschewed traditional devices such as lectionaries and set schedules, they did create their own, unique form of liturgy through hymnody. The liturgical functions served by music at Azusa Street included selecting Scripture readings, ordering services, and providing theological balance. To make this case, the author surveys references to music, singing, and hymn writing in the official publications of the revival and in later accounts of the revival recorded by participants. From these sources, the author identifies three types of music used at Azusa Street: singing in the Spirit, new compositions written in a conventional style, and traditional hymns. The article further demonstrates how these genres served specific functions in the community, one of the most important of which was to emphasize the christological, as opposed to pneumatological, aspects of Pentecostal theology.

African pentecostalism: an introduction

1. Oriki: Genealogy and Identity in Pentecostal Historiography 2. Bakuzufu: Contested Identities and the Quest for Power in African Christianity 3. Moya: African Charismatic Initiatives and Classical Pentecostal Missionaries 4. Mademoni: African Instituted Churches in Pentecostal Rhetoric 5. Aliliki: Charismatic Resurgence in the 1970s: A Regional Comparison 6. The Big Man of the Big God: Pentecostalism, Media, and Popular Culture in the 1980s 7. Elijah's Mantle: Pentecostal Re-evangelization of Africa in the 1990s 8. Gendered Charisma: Charisma and Women in African Pentecostalism 9. Sankofa: Pentecostalism in the African Map of the Universe 10. Masters on Horses: The Roots of Pentecostal Public Ethics 11. Tembisa: Pentecostal Political Theology and Practices 12. Child of the Bondwoman: Islam and Sharia In Pentecostal Rhetoric: A Nigerian Case Study 13. Standing on the Word: Pentecostal Theologies 14. Reverse Flow: Pentecostalism and Immigrant African Christianity

THE SPIRIT IN CREATION: A UNIFIED THEOLOGY OF GRACE AND CREATION CARE

Abstract.This essay identifies one of the deeper theological sources of the tendency toward environmental neglect in evangelical and Pentecostal theology and proposes a theological vision that facilitates a vision of creation care as a dimension of Christian formation. The first section identifies, describes, and evaluates the traditional distinction between common and special grace or the natural and the supernatural orders as a theological foundation for environmental neglect in Pentecostal theology. The second and third sections propose that a pneumatological vision of grace based on a fundamental trinitarianism provides Pentecostals and other Christians with a way to overcome these stark dualisms and to attain a more unified and comprehensive vision of God's grace that is more conducive to creation care. The fourth section presents a case for seeing creation care as a pneumatological and proleptic participation in the eschaton and, as such, as a dimension of Christian formation and sanctification.

‘Delivered By the Power of God’: Toward a Pentecostal Understanding of Salvation

Abstract: The quest to find a doctrinal framework that faithfully reflects Pentecostalism continues among Pentecostal theologians. Among the variety of proposals offered, a consensus has emerged on the centrality of the doctrine of salvation for a Pentecostal theology. Using theological models as a methodological approach, the claim is made that a Pentecostal theology best functions within a model of salvation that can be expressed in terms of two dominant metaphors: acquisition of God's life and deliverance. Consequently, a Pentecostal understanding of salvation concerns the ongoing deliverance from sin in all of its permutations through the increasing acquisition of God's triune life.

Pentecostal Theology for the Twenty‐first Century: Engaging Multi‐Faith Singapore – By Tan‐chow May Ling

Pentecostal Theology for the Twenty‐first Century: Engaging Multi‐Faith Singapore – By Tan‐chow May Ling

Review Article on Amos Yong's,The Spirit Poured Out on All Flesh: Pentecostalism and the Possibility of Global Theology

Amos Yong's book is not only a valuable contribution to but also represents an important development in Pentecostal theology. His work brings Pentecostalism into conversation with concerned individuals throughout the world who are dealing with various large scale cultural and social crises. Yong constructs an interpretation of Pentecostalism in response to the predicament of late modernity, which he sees as marked by questions concerning the existence and possibility of experiencing the supernatural, the implied relativism of religious and cultural pluralism, and the autonomy of science and its claims about truth and reality. In this space allotted to me, I do two things: (1) give a brief overview, interspersed with commentary, on the salient features of Yong's book and (2) suggest that the agenda of Pentecostal theology be broadened to include treatment of other global issues such as the globalization of capitalism, mass migration, and war and violence.

J.H. KING'S THEOLOGY OF RELIGIONS: 'MAGNANIMOUS OPTIMISM'?*

ABSTRACT Commendably, Tony Richie has recently issued a challenge for 'exploring more in depth' the writings of J.H. King as a possible resource for the development of a Pentecostal theology of religions. However, his characterization of King's theology of religions as 'at its core' a matter of 'magnanimous optimism' is an overstatement. Especially given the fact that King demonized the non-Christian faiths, a strong argument can be made that his theology of religions contained no more than an optimistic, inclusivist element with respect to afterlife hope for the unevangelized.

BEYOND THE LIBERAL-CONSERVATIVE DIVIDE: AN APPRECIATIVE REJOINDER TO ALLAN ANDERSON

ABSTRACT Allan Anderson's review of my recent book is sympathetic but nevertheless suggests that my project is 'decidedly liberal' for pentecostal theology today. In response, I wish to trouble the distinctions between 'liberal' and 'conservative' in large part because I am convinced that Pentecostalism fits easily into neither category. The way forward, I suggest, is for Pentecostal theology to resist being pigeonholed into either camp but to follow out the renewal intuitions, ethos, and commitments derived by the distinctive piety and spirituality of Pentecostal experience.

A GLOBAL PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGY? AMOS YONG'S THE SPIRIT POURED OUT ON ALL FLESH*

ABSTRACT Amos Yong uses his data on global Pentecostalism as a paradigm for a global, pneumatological theology. His theological position is that Pentecostalism is diverse, practical, holistic, and with strong connections to the marginalized of this world, and he contends that a 'reconstruction' of a global Pentecostal theology is possible. This is a pneumatological focus: it is the experience of the Spirit in all its diversity in global Pentecostalism that informs a global theology.

Pentecostal Theology for the Twenty‐First Century: Engaging with Multi‐faith Singapore – By Tan‐Chow May Ling

Pentecostal Theology for the Twenty‐First Century: Engaging with Multi‐faith Singapore – By Tan‐Chow May Ling

On the Abundance of the Holy Spirit: Friendly Remarks for Baptized in the Spirit by Frank D. Macchia

AbstractFrank Macchia's book, Baptized in the Spirit: A Global Pentecostal Theology, is indeed a theology on the abundance of the Holy Spirit, an abundance that exceeds even 'global' limits. With this work, Pentecostal theology is marching into the arena of the universal and ecumenical conversation, conscious of itself and ready for critical discussions. Macchia's book is a breakthrough for Pentecostalism, showing that Pentecostal theology has something new to offer and must be taken seriously. Macchia demonstrates that pneumatology can no longer be an appendix to other theological doctrines. He offers promise for a perspective of the saving work of the Holy Spirit that integrates ecology and theology for the future of our world, a perspective applicable also to global economy and politics.

Matters of Conscience, Matters of Unity, Matters of Orthodoxy: Trinity and Water Baptism in Early Pentecostal Theology and Practice

AbstractThis article surveys early Pentecostal discussions of the doctrine of the Trinity and water baptism and focuses specifically on baptismal mode and formula. In tracing the discussion from 1906 to the period just after the 1916 General Council of the Assemblies of God, literature from various streams of the tradition is examined. By surveying the periodical literature as well as official documents produced by these various denominations and groups, not only will doctrinal discussions be seen but also the practices associated with water baptism. It is the author's conclusion that there was some degree of flexibility with regard to both formula and mode of baptism before the emergence of the New Issue (1914). However, the research reveals that there was a well thought out doctrine of the Trinity prior to the rise of Oneness theology thereby establishing that Pentecostal theology was Trinitarian in its inception.

Can a Dead Black Theology Be Resurrected as a Pentecostal Theology? A Review Essay of The Rise and Demise of Black Theology

Can a Dead Black Theology Be Resurrected as a Pentecostal Theology? A Review Essay of The Rise and Demise of Black Theology