Pentecostal Theology for the Twenty-First Century
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PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGY FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY In our post 9/11 world where there is a growing religious fundamentalism, and when both exclusion and easy tolerance are inadequate options, this book offers a creative alternative, arguing that Pentecostalism has the potential to be a peaceful harbinger of plurality. The potential lies in its spirituality – a lively pneumatology and eschatology. The eschatological Spirit is seen as orientated towards the other, crossing boundaries in redemptive embrace, transcending exclusion and easy tolerance. This book’s non-Western perspective and the empirical contextual study of Singapore’s multicultural and multi-faith context are unique contributions to religion and society. This is a book for students, pastors, teachers, and theologians concerned for an approach to mission that is sensitive to their context, who want to learn from a creative theological voice from what has been perhaps the largest religious movement in history, and who see the immense potential in lively theology by Christians of the Chinese diaspora who can speak to the many millions of ethnic Chinese Christians. This book will also appeal to those outside Christianity who are interested in its attempts to engage with a complex multi-ethnic and multi-religious situation such as that in Singapore. ASHGATE NEW CRITICAL THINKING IN RELIGION, THEOLOGY AND BIBLICAL STUDIES The Ashgate New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies series brings high quality research monograph publishing back into focus for authors, international libraries, and student, academic and research readers. Headed by an international editorial advisory board of acclaimed scholars spanning the breadth of religious studies, theology and biblical studies, this open-ended monograph series presents cutting-edge research from both established and new authors in the field. With specialist focus yet clear contextual presentation of contemporary research, books in the series take research into important new directions and open the field to new critical debate within the discipline, in areas of related study, and in key areas for contemporary society. Series Editorial Board: Jeff Astley, North of England Institute for Christian Education, Durham, UK David Jasper, University of Glasgow, UK James Beckford, University of Warwick, UK Raymond Williams, Wabash College, Crawfordsville, USA Geoffrey Samuel, University of Newcastle, Australia Richard Hutch, University of Queensland, Australia Paul Fiddes, Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford, UK Anthony Thiselton, University of Nottingham, UK Tim Gorringe, University of Exeter, UK Adrian Thatcher, College of St Mark and St John, UK Alan Torrance, University of St Andrews, UK Judith Lieu, Kings College London, UK Terrance Tilley, University of Dayton, USA Miroslav Volf, Yale Divinity School, USA Stanley Grenz, Baylor University and Truett Seminary, USA Vincent Brummer, University of Utrecht,The Netherlands Gerhard Sauter, University of Bonn, Germany Other Titles in the Series: Neopragmatism and Theological Reason G.W. Kimura Tantric Buddhism and Altered States of Consciousness Durkheim, Emotional Energy and Visions of the Consort Louise Child Pentecostal Theology for the Twenty-First Century Engaging with Multi-Faith Singapore TAN-CHOW MAY LING TCA College, Singapore © Tan-Chow May Ling 2007 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Tan-Chow May Ling has asserted her moral right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this work. Published by Ashgate Publishing Limited Ashgate Publishing Company Gower House Suite 420 Croft Road 101 Cherry Street Aldershot Burlington, VT 05401-4405 Hampshire GU11 3HR USA England Ashgate website: http://www.ashgate.com British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Tan-Chow, MayLing Pentecostal theology for the twenty-first century: engaging with multi-faith Singapore. – (Ashgate new critical thinking in religion, theology and biblical studies) 1. Pentecostalism – Singapore 2. Christianity and other religions – Singapore 3. Singapore – Religion I. Title 275.9’57083 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Tan-Chow, MayLing. Pentecostal theology for the twenty-first century: engaging with multi-faith Singapore / MayLing Tan-Chow. p. cm. – (Ashgate new critical thinking in religion, theology, and biblical studies) Includes bibliographical references and indexes. 1. Pentecostalism. 2. Interdenominational cooperation. 3. Singapore – Church history. 4. Singapore – Religion. 5. Religious pluralism – Singapore. 6. Religious pluralism. I. Title. BR1644.T36 2007 230’.9409595709051–dc22 2006032076 ISBN 978-0-7546-5718-7 Printed and bound in Great Britain by MPG Books Ltd, Bodmin, Cornwall. In Loving Memory and Celebration of my late husband, Derek Tan Chung Liam This page intentionally left blank Contents List of Abbreviations ix Acknowledgements xi Foreword xiii Introduction xv Part I Descriptive 1 A Hermeneutic of Singapore Culture 3 2 Christianity in Singapore 15 3 Pentecost Revisited 29 Part II Constructive 4 Interrogating Pentecostalism: A Biblical Challenge to LoveSingapore 73 5 An Alternative Way: Re-conceiving the Spirit in Pentecostalism 99 6 A Pentecostal Theological Contribution: Pneumatological Eschatology 125 Conclusion 157 Select Bibliography 167 Index of Subjects 183 Index of Authors 197 Index of Biblical References 201 This page intentionally left blank List of Abbreviations AF The Apostolic Faith ATJ Asbury Theological Journal CD Church Dogmatics CTM Currents in Theology and Mission EMQ Evangelical Mission Quarterly EQ Evangelical Quarterly JAM Journal of Asian Missions JBL Journal of Biblical Literature JES Journal of Ecumenical Studies JETS Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society JGES Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society JOTGES Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society (online) JPT Journal of Pentecostal Theology JPTSup Journal of Pentecostal Theology supplement (book series) JSNT Journal for the Study of the New Testament JSNTSup Journal for the Study of the New Testament supplement (collected essays) LS LoveSingapore PE Pentecostal Evangel PL PrayerLink PNEUMA Journal for the Society for Pentecostal Studies SA Sociological Analysis SJT Scottish Journal of Theology STI Straits Times Interactive TDNT Theological Dictionary of the New Testament TT Theology Today This page intentionally left blank Acknowledgements This book is a slightly revised version of my doctoral dissertation accepted at the University of Cambridge in 2004. I wish to express my thanks both to those who assisted me in my doctoral work and to those who have helped in turning the dissertation into a book. It is said that behind every great man is a great woman. In my case, behind my accomplishment is an extraordinary and generous man, Derek, my late husband. I owe him the greatest debt. He embraced with generosity of heart and mind his role as an “academic widower”, and sacrificed more than should be asked of any husband, graciously enduring prolonged separation through those three-and-a-half years so that I could pursue my dream of doctoral studies at Cambridge. Without his protective generous love, steadfast support, and limitless patience, I would not have completed my doctoral research successfully. A special and particular debt is owed to my supervisor, Prof. David Ford, not only for his supervision but also for his gift of friendship. His supervision of my research was genuinely enthusiastic, critical, meticulous yet generous, and has provided me with space with which to develop my own theological voice vis-à-vis his own. His enthusiasm has been instrumental in my rediscovery of the richness of my own Pentecostal tradition and my ability to “drink deeply” from its well, for which I am especially grateful. Thanks are also due to my two examiners, Prof. Allan Anderson and Dr Christopher Cocksworth, for their enthusiastic, helpful and generous criticisms. I am also grateful to Prof. Ford, Prof. Anderson and Dr Cocksworth for their encouragement to get my dissertation to publication. Where deficiencies exist in this book, they are solely mine. During my research I have come to appreciate the generosity and friendship of “colleagues from both East and West”. Special thanks are due to Young-Hwan Ra, Jason Lam and Chung-Kwan Park, Ethna Regan, Eolene Boyd-Macmillan, Gemma Simmonds and Josette Zammit-Mangion for providing conditions of support, contexts for theological reflection, conversation, “indwelling the narratives of the other”, and many shared meals together; all of these are intimations of the eschatological joy. I owe a great debt to the Theological Centre for Asia and the Trinity Christian Centre for granting me time off to revise my dissertation for publication. I would be remiss, however, if I did not specifically mention three persons by name. Dr Liew Yoo Kiang, a colleague, was the first to encourage me to contact Ashgate for the publication of my dissertation. Dr Yee Tet Lim, another colleague, has generously given his time, expertise and helpful comments to bring my manuscript ready for publication. Kris Chong Hoi Kiew, my student who serves willingly as my research assistant, has put in many hours of hard work. My thanks are due also to friends, colleagues and students for their encouragement and support.