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Renewing the Soul: Towards an Enhanced Pentecostal Philosophical Theological Doctrine of Human Constitution

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Renewing the Soul: Towards an Enhanced Pentecostal Philosophical Theological Doctrine of Human Constitution RENEWING THE SOUL: TOWARDS AN ENHANCED PENTECOSTAL PHILOSOPHICAL THEOLOGICAL DOCTRINE OF HUMAN CONSTITUTION BY MATTHEW JOHN CHURCHOUSE A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Department of Theology and Religion School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion College of Arts and Law University of Birmingham August 2017 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties.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. Abstract Renewing the Soul: Towards an Enhanced Pentecostal Philosophical Theological Doctrine of Human Constitution Having given a fresh historical overview of Pentecostal thought concerning the doctrine of human constitution, and so ascertained the trajectory Pentecostal theology is on concerning this doctrine, this thesis identifies Amos Yong and then Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen as significant voices towards the end and present of the trajectory, with the potential to influence its future direction. The thesis highlights both scholars’ assumption that any dualistic view of human constitution - specifically, understanding the soul as a distinct immaterial (and after death, separable) entity from the body - is theologically and philosophically problematic, and charts their alternative proposal(s) of an emergent monist view of human constitution. Responding to them, the thesis counters their theological and philosophical challenges, and further contends that their emergent monist proposals suffer much greater problems. It then argues for and constructs an enhanced Pentecostal view of human constitution - one more consistent with Pentecostal theological emphases, and also stronger philosophically than Yong’s and Kärkkäinen’s - proposing a new ‘Enspiritable Dualist’ view, by renewing the soul. Through giving it suitable prominence in Pentecostalism’s theology of constitution, and by establishing the centrality of the S/spirit in the new model, the soul is renewed, in turn, redirecting the trajectory’s future. Dedicated to Mum and Dad, with deep thankfulness for your love, and for all the opportunities you’ve given me in life Acknowledgements Looking back on the process of doing this PhD, I realise that it couldn’t have been done without the encouragement, support, interest, and challenge of those walking alongside me throughout the project. Colleagues, academic seniors, friends, and family have travelled the journey with me, as God has providentially guided me, without all of whom, I don’t think the project would have been achievable. I want to particularly thank Dr. David Cheetham for his supervision and friendship throughout the project. His reading and re-reading portions of my thesis, sharpening my thinking, encouraging through the rough times and helping me to recognise where the academic bar stands for academic scholarship, have been invaluable. I am also grateful to Prof. Mark Cartledge who gave much stimulus in the early days as a co-supervisor and has continued to show friendship and support from his new location at Regent University, Virginia, for his influence along the journey too. Whilst thinking about the USA, I was moved by the generosity of scholars Eleanore Stump, J.P. Moreland, and Jamie Smith, who gave their time and interest in replying to e-mails and Skype calls from a student they didn’t previously know, in order to help further my project. Their warmth and humility in the interactions we had have really been an example in what it is to carry out scholarship rooted in Christian character. My thanks also to Prof. Nick Adams (returning to this side of the Atlantic) for reading a draft of the thesis before submission, and for his rigorous critique, suggestions, and encouragement. The Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at the University of Birmingham has been a helpful incubator to be within throughout the project for carrying out critical thinking and absorbing the academic ethos - particularly so the theological wing of it. The mutual interest, level of critique, and fellowship of Elmer Chen, Dik Allen, Simo Frestadius among others, have been instrumental and their collegiality along the route have done much to enhance my thinking. Too many friends to name have continued to show interest and encouraged me throughout. Even in a project with quite a specialised and narrow area of thought, the number who have expressed the desire to read the finished piece has been a great motivation to finish. My church too, Christ Church Selly Park, have been great, and helped to ground academic analytical thought in reality and everyday life. My thanks to all of them, and their patience in accepting that it’s never very obvious as to when the process ends with writing a PhD! My family, and particularly my parents, have shown on-going love and encouragement throughout the journey for which I am incredibly grateful. To have observed my parents’ lives, received the level of support they’ve given me whilst doing this, in multiple ways showing what love in action means, has been golden, and been an inspiration through the process of doing this. It is to them that I gladly dedicate this thesis. And, although sadly not able to see the completion of the thesis, the thesis is bound in memory of, and through the means of a special gift left by, my Grandad, who, along with what my Granny still does, showed continuous love and care in the years I enjoyed with him. Ultimately, thanks is due to the living God. For such rich relationships as those above, for his providential guiding through these years, for leading the way, yet walking beside, I am immensely thankful. My spirit leaps as I consider his ways, my soul yearns to know him more. Table of Contents Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... p.1 I.1 Defining Pentecostalism............................................................................................................. 1 I.2 Pentecostal Emphases ............................................................................................................... 2 I.3 Scholarly Pentecostal Theology ............................................................................................... 4 I.4 Pentecostal Theology of Human Constitution ....................................................................... 7 I.5 Thesis Overview ........................................................................................................................ 10 PART A: Engaging Pentecostal Thought on Human Constitution Chapter 1: Literature Review ....................................................................................................... p.16 1.1 Historical Overview ................................................................................................................. 17 1.1.1 The Early 20th Century Magazines (1910s and 20s) ................................................ 17 1.1.1.1 Confidence and the Boddys ........................................................................... 18 1.1.1.2 Early Editions of Pentecostal Evangel ........................................................... 20 1.1.1.3 Further, Subsequent Magazines ................................................................... 20 1.1.2 Watchman Nee and ‘the Spiritual Man’ (late 1920s) ............................................. 21 1.1.3 Myer Pearlman (1930s) .............................................................................................. 24 1.1.4 The Prosperity Gospel (1940s) ................................................................................... 26 1.1.5 Summary of the first half of the 20th century ......................................................... 27 1.1.6 E.S. Williams and the 1950s ...................................................................................... 27 1.1.7 Duffield and Van Cleave, and J. Rodman Williams (1980s) ................................... 29 1.1.8 Munyon, Arrington, Grudem and Hart (1990s) ....................................................... 33 1.1.9 Post 2000 ...................................................................................................................... 34 1.2 Evaluation ................................................................................................................................. 36 1.2.1 The Authority of Scripture ......................................................................................... 36 1.2.2 Theological Influences ............................................................................................... 37 1.2.2.1 Trichotomy Influence ...................................................................................... 37 1.2.2.2 Dichotomy Influence ....................................................................................... 39 1.2.3 Hermeneutics .............................................................................................................. 40 1.2.4 Philosophical Influences ...........................................................................................
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