(2004). An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity. Ars Disputandi: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 206-209.

/pdf/an-introduction-to-pentecostalism-global-charismatic-32ula6lfpw.pdf

An introduction to Pentecostalism : global charismatic Christianity

This thesis is a consideration of the Spirit’s role in the interpretation of scripture (pneumatic interpretation) through a conversation surrounding this topic that has been taking place between scholars who are in, or who identify with, the renewal tradition (also known as the Pentecostal and charismatic movement[s]) since 1970 when renewed emphasis on and experience of the Spirit spurred hermeneutical conversations.

Its purpose is twofold: 1) to build understanding of pneumatic interpretation through the voices of those involved in the conversation; 2) to foster appreciation and understanding between scholars across or identifying with the renewal tradition. A significant proportion of contributions to this conversation have been from those involved in Pentecostal hermeneutics but the thesis uses renewal terminology to reflect inclusivity of all scholars across or identifying with the renewal tradition who emphasise the Spirit and accentuate the Spirit’s role in hermeneutical considerations.

The thesis stresses that central to pneumatic interpretation in the renewal tradition is priority placed on personal experience of and intimate relationship with the triune God through pneumatic encounter. Three integral, and dynamically interrelating components of this relationship are given attention: affect, ethics, and cognition. It also stresses that considering the Spirit’s role in scriptural interpretation requires contemplation of the relational nature of God from a pneumatic starting point. The thesis therefore asserts that pneumatic interpretation is holistic and cannot be restricted to interpretation of the scriptural text, because the Spirit always works through and beyond the written words interpreting and appropriating scriptural truth in our lives in ways that align with scripture and transform and draw us holistically into knowledge of God as Father, Son, and Spirit.

In terms of structure, the thesis addresses the conversation chronologically to show historical and thematic progress.

Pneumatic interpretation in the renewal tradition: the first 50 years

THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND THE HOLY SPIRIT: ESCHATOLOGY AND PNEUMATOLOGY IN THE VINEYARD MOVEMENT Douglas R. Erickson, B.A., M.A.C.T. Marquette University, 2015 This dissertation explores the relationship between eschatology and pneumatology in the Vineyard movement. The Vineyard movement is a growing expression within the evangelical Protestant tradition that seeks to combine the core doctrines of Evangelicalism with the experience of the gifts of the Spirit that is often associated with Pentecostalism. As a relatively new faith expression, the Vineyard has not received a great deal of academic interest, and thus much of its core theological commitments have not yet been explored. I shall argue that the central theological distinctive of the Vineyard is their understanding of the inaugurated, enacted, eschatological kingdom of God. This distinctive is evidenced by the particular understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Vineyard; which is consistently expressed in praxis. The kingdom of God was inaugurated in the ministry of Jesus, is enacted in the present age, and eschatological as it both looks forward to final consummation, even as it expects the powers of the future to be manifested in the present. This thread that is woven throughout Vineyard selfunderstanding and practice was infused into the movement by its founder, John Wimber. A former Jazz musician and rock band manager, Wimber came to faith late in life, and was greatly impacted by the theology of George Eldon Ladd who spoke of the kingdom reality as “fulfillment without consummation,” known in Vineyard parlance as the kingdom that is “already but not yet”. John Wimber took this understanding of the already-not yet kingdom of God and fused it with his growing desire for and experience of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, including speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing. To fully understand Vineyard theology, one must understand this dynamic synthesis that is different from both evangelical Protestant theology and classic Pentecostalism. This project employs both constructive systematic theology and philosophical phenomenology to examine Vineyard theology and Vineyard praxis in order to present an introduction to this unique faith expression.

The Kingdom of God and the Holy Spirit: Eschatology and Pneumatology in the Vineyard Movement

This thesis works toward a constructive Pentecostal theology of the Spirit in the Former Prophets. Chapter one provides a history of interpretation (from 1896 to present) of major works engaging the Former Prophets with regard to the Spirit. Chapter two offers a Pentecostal hermeneutic of the Former Prophets. Chapter three provides a history of effects (or Wirkungsgeschichte) approach by hearing the Spirit texts of the Former Prophets alongside of early North American Pentecostals (specifically the journals from 1906-1920) in order to offer a better orientation to how Pentecostal communities have interpreted these texts in their formative years. Chapters four through seven apply the hermeneutic of chapter two to the groupings of texts of the Spirit in the Former Prophets. As such, the chapters that follow are larger literary units which include multiple references to the Spirit of Yahweh/God, but are grouped together as narratological units. Chapter four addresses the judges who explicitly experience the liberating Spirit of Yahweh. Chapter five addresses Saul and David’s musical and prophetic experiences of the Spirit of Yahweh/God both for good and ill. Chapter six addresses the ambiguities of the Spirit in the context of the prophet Micaiah. Chapter seven addresses the passing of the Spirit of true prophetic sonship from Elijah to Elisha. Chapter eight then attempts a constructive Pentecostal theology of the Spirit in light of the study of the Spirit in the Former Prophets laid out in the preceding exegetical chapters and the Wirkungsgeschichte of chapter three. Finally, the concluding chapter briefly summarizes the contributions of this study and entertains multiple potential directions for future study brought to light through this study.

A theology of the Spirits in the former Prophets : a Pentecostal perspective

.........................................................................................................................I

Timothy B. Cargal

Papers

Beyond the Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy: Pentecostals and Hermeneutics in a Postmodern Age