EZEKIEL’S TWO STICKS AND ESCHATOLOGICAL VIOLENCE IN THE PENTECOSTAL TRADITION: AN INTERTEXTUAL LITERARY ANALYSIS BY ALICIA R. JACKSON A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEPARTMENT OF THEOLOGY AND RELIGION COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LAW UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM JANUARY 16, 2018 i University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. Copyright © Alicia R. Jackson 2018 All Rights Reserved ii ABSTRACT This thesis explores the topic of eschatological violence in the Pentecostal tradition through an intertextual literary analysis of Ezekiel 36:16—39:29 and Revelation 19:11—21 and 20:7—10 by investigating primarily how the intentional literary placement of the ‘Two Sticks’ oracle (Ezek 37:15—28) between the ‘Dry Bones’ vision (Ezek 37:1—14) and the ‘Gog of Magog’ war (Ezek 38:1—39:29) informs the reader’s theological understanding of the message of Ezekiel 36:16—39:29 as a whole. Secondarily, this thesis considers how the allusion to Ezek 38—39 in Rev 19:11—21 and 20:7—10 enhances the reader’s theological understanding of Ezek 36:16—39:29, yielding an intertextual reading that challenges the way these texts have long been understood in popular Pentecostal contexts. By reviewing historical Pentecostal interpretations of these texts, specifically considering how dispensationalism has influenced Pentecostal eschatology and ensuing textual interpretations, this thesis offers a fresh perspective that aligns with the eschatology of early Pentecostals and contemporary Pentecostal scholars—both of whom generally depart from dispensationalism. This intertextual literary analysis builds a case for envisioning a hopeful and proleptic eschatology that promotes peace and reconciliation, potentially transforming Pentecostal ethics, politics and mission. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS It is with great humility that I wish to express deep gratitude to several people who have helped to bring this project to fruition. First, I would like to thank my religion department professors and colleagues at Vanguard University. Tremendous gratitude goes to Dr. William C. Williams, who taught me to read, to study, and to love the Hebrew Bible. He pushed me to work harder in my M.A. program than I thought myself capable, and without his patient instruction and gentle nudging to continue my education, I likely never would have attempted a PhD. I am particularly grateful to Dr. Frank Macchia, whose spontaneous “hallway conversations” helped me to process ideas and direction for my research. Particularly, Dr. Macchia’s insights on the issues of judgment and mercy in the book of Revelation, as well as his contributions to Pentecostal eschatology, have been extremely helpful in shaping my own views. I also owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Dr. April Westbrook, whose two decades of prophetic insight, godly wisdom, loving mentorship, and deep friendship have challenged me to follow God’s calling on my life. More than any other individual, she encouraged me to pursue the PhD, and along with Dr. Sheri Benvenuti, quite literally prayed me through it—and for that I am eternally thankful. Tragically, Sheri lost her battle to cancer before I finished writing this thesis, but I gained continual strength from her prayers, and her words of encouragement constantly echoed in my mind as I wrote. I hope that this thesis, in a small way, can honor her legacy. I am exceedingly grateful to Dr. Andrew Davies, my PhD supervisor at The University of Birmingham; first, for the honor of accepting me to study with him, and second, for providing such excellent guidance throughout the program. He continually amazed me with his ability to simultaneously maintain tremendous attention to detail iv and “big picture” perspective on the overall flow of the project. His ingenious ideas, timely feedback, organizational suggestions and theological insight shaped the direction of the thesis. In addition, he helped me to mature in my academic writing abilities, teaching me to assert my own voice and defend my positions. And yet the most profound insight he offered along the way had little to do with writing. Once after expressing my frustrations of wanting to finish the thesis more quickly, he said, “Instead of asking, ‘When will I finish this PhD? ask, “What is this PhD doing to me?” He helped me to realize that the personal transformation involved in completing a PhD—intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually—was every bit as valuable as the degree itself. For that wisdom and guidance, I am tremendously grateful. Finally, the completion of this thesis would not have been possible without the loving support of my family and friends. I never would have imagined that half-way through the program, Paul and I would receive the greatest gift and miracle of our lives—the adoption of our son, Gabriel. Special thanks goes to our parents, Russ and Margaret Stillwell, Michael and Collie Jackson, and Tom and Lynne Dresser, whose endless hours of loving care for Gabriel enabled me to continue my PhD program. I am also so grateful to my beloved siblings and close friends (you know who you are!) who have prayed for me, encouraged me, watched Gabriel for me, and generally kept me sane throughout this process. Thank you also to Bruce and Sandy Wegner, whose generous use of their mountain cabin enabled me to finish my final edits. The greatest thanks of all goes to my amazing husband Paul, whose daily sacrificial acts of love made the completion of this thesis possible. Paul has borne the greatest burden of my long work hours, increased absent-mindedness, and general state of exhaustion for the past four years. No one has loved me more fiercely or believed in me more faithfully, v and so it is to Paul that I dedicate this thesis, with all my love. Most of all, I am grateful to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for whose sake I pursue biblical scholarship, desiring above all else to glorify the Lamb who is worthy. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .............................................................................................. iv ABBREVIATIONS ........................................................................................................ ix 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 1.1 The Task ................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Methodological Approaches ................................................................................. 6 1.3 Summary of the Argument of this Thesis ........................................................... 29 2. PENTECOSTAL INTERPRETATIONS OF EZEKIEL 36:16—39:29; REVELATION 19:11—21, 20:7—10 ........................................................................... 32 2.1 A Tale of Two Movements: Dispensationalism’s Influence on Pentecostalism 32 2.2 Pentecostal Interpretations from 1906—2006 ..................................................... 60 2.3 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 106 3. PENTECOSTAL ESCHATOLOGY OF CONTEMPORARY SCHOLARS ...... 111 3.1 Pentecostal Eschatology: A Brief Overview ..................................................... 111 3.2 Contemporary Constructive Pentecostal Alternatives to Dispensational Eschatology .............................................................................................................. 115 3.3 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 187 4. OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL ...................................................... 188 4.1 History of Ezekiel Scholarship ......................................................................... 188 4.2 Historical Background and Setting ................................................................... 205 4.3 Theological Motifs in the Book of Ezekiel ....................................................... 206 4.4 Structure of the Book of Ezekiel ....................................................................... 216 4.5 Reading Ezekiel 36:16—39:29 as a Unit .......................................................... 222 4.6 Ezekiel 36:16—39:29: Primary Theological Themes ....................................... 227 4.7 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 236 5. LITERARY ANALYSIS OF EZEKIEL 37:15—28 ............................................ 239 5.1 Text and Translation ......................................................................................... 239 5.2 Delimitation of Pericope ................................................................................... 244 5.3 Structural Analysis ............................................................................................ 245 5.4 Rhetorical Analysis ......................................................................................