Pentecostal Theology: A Theology of Encounter

352 Pages·014.701 MB·English

by  Keith Warrington

PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGY
A Theology of Encounter

PENTECOSTAL THEOLO GY
A Theology of Encounter
Keith Warrington
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Copyright © Keith Warrington, 2008
Keith Warrington has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act,198 8,
to be identified as the Author of this work.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN-10: HB: 0-567-044424
PB: 0-567-04452-1
ISBN-13: HB: 978-0-567-04442-6
PB: 978-0-567-04452-5
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CONTENTS
Preface V||
Abbreviations xi
1 In pursuit of pentecostalism 1
2 The Quest for a Pentecostal Theology 17
3God 28
4 The Church 131
5 The Bible 180
6 Spirituality and Ethics 206
246
8 Healing, Exorcism and Suffering 265
9 Eschatology 309
324
10 Postscript
Subject Index
Scripture References

PREFACE
A number of issues are important to an appreciation of the purposes of this
book and its presentation of Pentecostalism in particular. It is not to be
viewed as a systematic or historical theology or a comprehensive presenta-
tion of all that Pentecostals believe.1 Such an enterprise would need to cover
more topics and there would be a great deal of overlap with other books
exploring theologyL Many of the beliefs of Pentecostals are also shared by
other behevers and they have been the cause of reflection and exploration by
many other authors. To repeat that which has already been offered else-
where is of little value, especially when the topics have been covered in
depth, quality, objectivity and scholarship. At the same time, it may be con-
cluded that there are already sufficient books exploring 1:heology; one
dedicate-d to Pentecostal theolog)r may be an unnecessary luxury. However,
it is the objective of this book to focus on a Pentecostal theology which is
defined by distinctive elements of pentecostal belief and praxis but especially
by an undergirding Pentecostal philosophy.2 This exercise has been based on
a desire to explore issues relating to the major emphases of Pentecostals -
encapsulated by the framework of Jesus, Saviour, Healel; Baptiser, Sanctifier
and Co
g King. Topics related to these emphases and others that are of
central imp.oitance in current Pentecostalism will be the focus of the book.
The fundamentally important doctrines of God, the Bible and the Church
i Similarly, movements associated with some elements of Pentecostali§m (including
Catholic Charismatics, the Word of Faith and Renewal movements) have also been
largely excised because of the limitations of space.
2 G.B. MCGee, "More than Evangelical": The Challenge of the Evolving Theological
Identity of the Assemblies Of God', P#c#"c! 25.2 (2003), pp. 289-300; D. Dayton, `The
Limits of Evangelicalism: The Pentecostal Tradition', in D. Dayton, R.K. Johnson (eds),
The Variety of American Buangelicalism (Downers Grove.. InteNa[sity Press, 1991),
pp. 48-51; W.W. Menzies, `The Methodology of Pentecosta.I Theology: An Essay on
11!c[menourics', ill P. ELbe.t (ed.1, Essays on A¢ostolic Themes: Studies in Honor of
Ho„4rd M. Ert/i." (Peabody: Hendrickson,19 85), pp.1-14; C.T. Thomas, `Pentecostal
Theology in the Twenty-First Century: 1998 Presidential Address to the Society for
Pentecostal Studies', P#ezi#z¢ 21 (1998), pp. 3-19.
Vll
PREFACE
are inevitable additions to the above topics as are the issues relating to per-
sonal spirituality and ethics. The provision of a broader discussion of the
Spirit (as compared with the Sections referring to Jesus and the Father) is
largely due to the volume of literature written by Pentecostals exploring his
character and function.
The emphasis of this book is on the formation and ongoing formulation
of Pentecostal theology as reflected mainly in more recent literature. In order
to ensure that the focus is kept on recent discussion, while at the same time
offering an assessment on current theological debates and emphases, the
majority of scholarly Pentecostal journal articles, books and theses accessed
are from 1990 onwards.3 Although Pentecostals exist in nearly every coun-
try in the world. the language of this resource has been largely restricted
to Enghish as the lingua franca of the majority of the potential readers; to
include other language-based material to a bibliography that is already very
large would have made the project impossible. Pentecostal demo ational
magazines, of which there are many, have also been largely excluded from
this exploration for that would have resulted in an unhelpfully detailed
enterprise.4
It has been intentional to almost exclusively concentrate on Pcntecostal
authors to portray Pentecostal theology because despite the apparent arro-
gance and exclusivity of this process, to understand Pentecostalism, it is a
significant advantage to be a Pentecostal. The ethos of this book has been to
allow the reader hear Pentecostals reflecting on the Bible and their spiritual-
ity. It is intended to be a snapshot of Pentecostal discussions and also a
source for developing dialogue; therefore, the footnotes, while not intruding
into the text of the book, are in order to encourage further research and
interaction. with the scholars who have written on the topics under discus-
sion.ThePentecostalauthorswhohavebeeninteractedwithmaybeassumed
to speak for a si ficant proportion, if not a majority, of Pentecostals. Care
has been taken to ensure that an objective and evaluative portrayal of
Pente6ostal theology has been provided, partnering with other Pentecostal
scholars who are best able to co ent on the history, theology and praxis
of Pentecostalism. The purpose has been to thereby offer an authentic and
accurate presentation of most of the major elements of that which may
be best identified a§ Pentecostal theology in its global se 9. The beliefs of
Pentecostals will be presented as well^ as critiques and suggestions for devel-
opment offered. The value of the book will be not just in the recording of
current Pentecostal theology/praxis but also in the offering of suggestions
for (re)direction as well as the identification of changes that have taken
3 Earhier Pentecostal literature is still valuable, exploring earlier and current Pentecostal
beliefs.
4See keithwarrington.co.uk for bibliographies.
viii
PREFACE
place or movements for change that are growing. It is anticipated that
a Reader in Pentecostal Theology would be an ideal future partner in this
It js appropriate to thank Regents Theological College, Nantwich, Cheshire,
England, at whieh I have the pleasure and privilege to serve and teach, for
facilitating my research for this book. My colleagues, Dr. Tim Walsh and
Rev. Julian Ward, have taken time to engage with the text and improve it.
I am also very indebted to the hundreds of Pentecostal authors whose work
I have read, engaged.with and learnt from. The motivation for this journey
has been my students and others like them whose theological tradition has
related most prominently to Pentecostalism in its global context. To them
I owe a debt of gratitude for allowing me to be their teacher and also for the
opportunity of leaning from them much that has developed me as a teacher
of others and a follower of Jesus. My wife has been my constant best friend
and partner in life, and has provided for all that I have needed to ensure that
this enter]Jri§e has been completed.
As all authors and research students will know, the more one studies and
writes, the less contented one becomes with tliat which has been achieved;
the closer one is acquainted with a finished project, the more its imperfec-
tions and the inadequacies of the author are identified. This book is no
exception and so I offer it in the knowledge that others could do better and,
no doubt, win do so in the future. Nevertheless, in the hope that it will con-
tribute to the development of Pentecostalism, its beliefs and praxis, I present
it to you. If God becomes the increased focus of your imagination, the Spirit
becomes more valuable to you and Jesus is identified as even more remarka-
ble, then I will feel that at least, to a small degree, I have succeeded in my
quest.
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