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PentecoStudies
Online Journal for the Interdisciplinary Study of Pentecostalism and Charismatic Movements
PentecoStudies was initiated by the Hollenweger Center and has been published under the auspices of GloPent since 2006.
(ISSN 1871-7691)
Editorial board
Editorial statement
Instructions for contributors
2008, Volume 7
No. 1 (Spring)
Stephen Hunt: Were the Jesus People Pentecostals?
This paper considers the nature of the short-lived Jesus People movement and its historical contribution to Christian revivalism by over-viewing the rather fragmented documentation provided by extant surveys, along with further contextual information and evidence provided by more recent sources.
Cornelis van der Kooi: The Wonders of God
A response to Robert Menzies article “Luke’s Understanding of Baptism in the Holy Spirit. A Pentecostal Perspective” (PentecoStudies 2007/2).
Sebastian Schüler: Unmapped Territories
Transnationalism is located in the Pentecostal imaginary, rather than in de facto processes of migration. The purpose of this article is to re-conceptualize the formation of transnational religious networks and the concept of the third space by introducing the notion of the ‘imagined migrant’. Through this, the emergence of transnational religious networks such as prayer chains can be described as grounded in everyday religious practice and discourse.
2007, Volume 6
No. 2 (Autumn)
William W. Menzies – The Reformed Roots of Pentecostalism
Exploring the roots of Pentecostal theology, the article contends that it is an oversimplification to understand Pentecostalism as a linear extension of the Wesleyan Holiness revival movement of the nineteenth century. Next to other influences, such as fundamentalism and Keswick theology, it is argued that the modern Pentecostal movement owes a considerable debt to the Reformed tradition. This view is substantiated by invoking the theology of John Calvin, Theodore Frelinghuysen, Jonathan Edwards, Edward Irving, Charles G. Finney, and Abraham Kuyper. However, a central issue with regard to Reformed theology remains in cessationism, a view which is debated in this article by following the works of Jon Ruthven.
W. van Vlastuin – Does Pentecostalism Have Reformed Roots? An analysis of the argument of W.W. Menzies
The article considers Menzies appeal to reformed roots of Pentecostalism in a lecture given at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. After examining his use of the concept of “roots”, difficulties are pointed out regarding Menzies' appropriation of John Calvin and Jonathan Edwards. It is argued that these appeals overlook central features of Calvin's and Edward's theology that mark a clear distinction to the Pentecostal movement.
Robert P. Menzies – Luke’s Understanding of Baptism in the Holy Spirit. A Pentecostal Perspective
The article endeavours to offer a fresh Pentecostal perspective at Luke’s two-volume work, specifically with regard to Luke’s understanding of Spirit baptism and its significance for Pentecostal theology. By looking at the how the Reformed tradition has understood the New Testament metaphor of baptism in the Spirit, and tracing the manner in which Luke uses this term, it is argued, that there is a distinct Lukan perspective on spirit baptism, which must be placed alongside the soteriological dimension so prominent in the writings of Paul. In consequence, both dimensions of spirit baptism must be upheld by Pentecostal theology, the reception of the life-giving and indwelling Spirit by every Christian and the baptism in the Spirit as distinct from conversion, which serves as an anointing for service and mission.
Arie W. Zwiep – Luke’s Understanding of Baptism in the Holy Spirit. An Evangelical Perspective
In particular response to the theses of R.P. Menzies, this article investigates the role of baptism in the Holy Spirit in Luke-Acts. After having established common ground between Pentecostal and Evangelical scholarship in the field, it is argued that for the author of Luke-Acts baptism in the Holy Spirit is an eschatological, corporate and barrier-breaking event, in which (not unlike what is found in the Qumran writings) present and future aspects are held in tension. Luke’s portrayal of the work of the Spirit resists rigid categorization and, from a canonical perspective, helps to counterbalance an exclusive stress on Pauline teaching on the work of the Spirit.
Frank La Barbe – Un ethnologue au cours Alpha
The Alpha course, a low-key method of evangelism founded by Church of England minister Nicky Gumble, is successfully spreading through churches around the world. Considered a revolutionary method, these courses plan to reveal to the students the ‘complete Gospel’ in about ten lessons. The course ends with the so-called ‘Holy Spirit week end’ in which participants can receive a prayer for the Holy Spirit by laying on of hands. This paper is based upon a case study in a French evangelical church.
No. 1 (Spring)
Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti - The Church as the Fellowship of Persons: An Emerging Pentecostal Ecclesiology of Koinonia
The article explores Pentecostal perspectives on the notion of koinonia and communion ecclesiology in current ecumenical conversations and studies. While the Pentecostal understanding of church as charismatic fellowship affirms the notion of koinonia, there are also differences to the understanding of koinonia in older churches. Nevertheless the developing koinonia ecclesiology holds great potential for Pentecostals and allows for their contributions to an ecumenical communion ecclesiology.
Yong, Amos - Poured Out on All Flesh: The Spirit, World Pentecostalism, and the Renewal of Theology and Praxis in the 21st Century
The second half of the twentieth century has witnessed a renaissance in pneumatology and related topics in the theological academy. While the role of pentecostalism in the emergence of this conversation may be debated, that pentecostal scholars and theologians engaged in the project of pneumatological theology at the turn of the twenty-first century cannot be denied. This essay suggests that the Pentecost motif of the Spirit’s outpouring on all flesh has the potential to serve as a central and organizing axiom for a pentecostal and pneumatological theology, and programmatically sketches how such a pentecostally-inspired theology participates in and also contributes to the renewal of the church catholic, of the theological academy, and of the church’s performative engagement with the world.
Horton-Parker, Skip - Tracking the Theological “Turn”: The Pneumatological Imagination and the Renewal of Metaphysics and Theology in the 21st Century
Reconsidering the present relationship of philosophy and theology, it is proposed that a "theological turn" has occurred in philosophy, which is met by corresponding "philosophical turn" in Pentecostal theology. Exploring the works of prominent phenomenologists, Levinas, Gadamer, and Marion, complementary notions to the theologies of Smith, Land, and Yong are pointed out. It is argued that these points of convergence and mutual illumination will suggest pathways for the renewal of theology and philosophy in late modernity.
2006, Volume 5
No. 1
David Martin - Undermining the Old Paradigms: Rescripting Pentecostal Accounts
This paper critically evaluates the continuity of reductionist rescripting in social scientific studies of Pentecostalism. The author proposes other directions that will lead to forms of rescripting which are closer to Pentecostal experience.
2005, Volume 4
Hunt, Stephen - The Alpha Course and its Critics: An Overview of the Debates
An overview of the theology of the Alpha course and of the theological criticism that has been voiced against this successful form of evangelism.
Miguez, Daniel - Opio Rebelde: Los Programas Pentecostales de Rehabilitación de Adictos en la Argentina
Gooren, Henri - Catholic and Protestant Culture Politics in Nicaragua: A Media-Based Inventory
A discussion of the 'culture politics' of Catholic and Protestant churches in Nicaragua.
Book Review: Verna Linzey, The Baptism with the Holy Spirit
2004, Volume 3
Anderson, Allan - Pentecostal-Charismatic Spirituality and Theological Education in Europe from a Global Perspective
Cortèn, André - Le nouveau religion pentecôtiste: Eléments d'explication politico-theologique
2003, Volume 2
Plüss, Jean-Daniel - Religious Experience in Worship: A Pentecostal Perspective
2002, Volume 1
Hunt, Stephen - Deprivation and Western Pentecostalism Revisited: The Case of 'Classical' Pentecostalism
Hunt, Stephen - Deprivation and Western Pentecostalism Revisited: Neo-Pentecostalism