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'BAPTISM in the HOLY SPIRIT': a Phenomenological and Theological

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‘BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT’: A Phenomenological and Theological Study By GONTI SIMANULLANG A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry Studies Melbourne College of Divinity 2011 Abstract Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR) is one of the ecclesial movements recognised in the Catholic Church. Central to CCR (and every branch of Pentecostal Christianity) is a range of experiences commonly denoted as ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit’. Since the emergence of these movements in the mid-1960s it has become common to meet Catholics who claim to have received such an experience, so remarkable for them that it significantly and deeply renewed their lives and faith. In Indonesia, CCR has raised questions among non-CCR Catholics, particularly regarding ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit’, being ‘slain’ or ‘resting’ in the Spirit, and praying in tongues. This study explores, articulates and analyses the meaning of this experience from the perspective of those within Persekutuan Doa Keluarga Katolik Indonesia (PDKKI), that is, the Indonesian Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. In so doing, it engages this phenomenon from a Roman Catholic theological perspective. The research question for this study is thus: what is the phenomenological and theological meaning of ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit’? A twofold method is employed: within the Whiteheads’ threefold framework for theological reflection – attending, asserting, and pastoral response – Moustakas’ phenomenology is used to analyse interviews with ten volunteer members of PDKKI. The thesis concludes that the essence or meaning of the experience of ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit’ for the participants is an affirmation or a connectedness with the reality of God. It argues that Catholics understand the significance of the experience differently from Pentecostals, though the range of opinion regarding ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit’ presents i itself as bewildering. Catholic Bishops’ Conferences and theologians have suggested a range of other terms to clarify pastoral practice, in particular recognising its non-sacramental and sacramental dimensions. This study uncovered a number of dimensions of ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit’: biblical / theological and experiential / phenomenological, along with sacramental, non-sacramental, pre-sacramental and at-sacramental senses. The phenomenological meaning of the experience for the participants was a connectedness with the reality of God. The theological meaning was the reception of the Holy Spirit that could occur before, during, or after sacramental initiation. This conclusion leads to a number of pastoral recommendations for the Indonesian Catholic context. Further research involving those who have exercised the role of praying over someone seeking the experience is also recommended. ii Statement of Originality This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other institution. To the best of my knowledge, this thesis contains no material previously published or written by another person, except where due reference is made in the text of the thesis. Gonti Simanullang December 2011 iii Acknowledgements To God, the Father, through Jesus Christ, the Son, in the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, I am grateful for blessing me in many ways, including good health and a sense of frustration and dying during conducting this research. This thesis has only been possible with a great deal of guidance, support, and assistance. First of all, I would like to gratefully acknowledge the invaluable guidance, encouragement, and dedication of my principal supervisor, the Revd Dr Charles Sherlock, of the Anglican Diocese of Bendigo, and my associate supervisor, the Revd Dr Michael Kelly, Postgraduate Coordinator of Yarra Theological Union. I would like to thank deeply and sincerely all ten participants in this study for their willingness to be interviewed, and granting me permission to record and reflect on their lived experiences of ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit’. I wish to acknowledge the support and encouragement of my Capuchin Franciscan friars of Our Lady of the Assumption Province of Australia. I thank my Capuchin brothers of St Anthony’s Friary, Hawthorn, Victoria, for their prayers and support, especially Fr Damian Colbourne for corrections of my English. Last but not least, I wish to thank the staff of the Dalton McCaughey Library, Parkville; Whitley College Library, Parkville; St Paschal Library, Box Hill; Mannix Library, East Melbourne; and the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Centre Library, North Fitzroy, for their hospitality in serving me in borrowing and returning books. iv Abbreviations BHS Baptism in the Holy Spirit CCC Catechism of the Catholic Church CCR Catholic Charismatic Renewal CIB Conference of Indonesian Bishops FABC Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences ICCRS International Council of Catholic Renewal Services KKI Keluarga Katolik Indonesia (Indonesian Catholic Family) KWI Konferensi Waligereja Indonesia (Conference of Indonesian Bishops) LG Lumen Gentium (Second Vatican Council - Constitution on the Church) NAB The New American Bible NJB The New Jerusalem Bible NSC National Service Committee PCFL Pontifical Council for the Laity PDKKI Persekutuan Doa Keluarga Katolik Indonesia THCGJ2000 The Theological-Historical Commission for the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000 USCCB United States Conference of Catholic Bishops v Contents Abstract....................................................................................................................................i Statement of Originality .................................................................................................. iii Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... iv Abbreviations .......................................................................................................................v Contents ................................................................................................................................ vi List of Tables ....................................................................................................................... ix Introduction: Research Question and Methodology .............................................. 1 1. Background of the Study................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Moustakas’ Phenomenological Method...................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Preparation: Research Participants........................................................................................................... 5 2.2. Data Collection ................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Organisation and Analysis of the Data ..................................................................................................... 9 3. The Whiteheads’ Practical-Theological Method...................................................................................14 3.1 The Three-Resource Model .........................................................................................................................15 3.2 The Three-Stage Practical-theological Method ..................................................................................16 4. Summary ................................................................................................................................................................17 PART A: ATTENDING ......................................................................................................18 Chapter One: Attending to the Scriptures................................................................19 1. ‘Baptism in / by the Holy Spirit’: the Baptist and the Christ ...........................................................19 1.1 The Testimony of John the Baptist...........................................................................................................20 1.2 Which Preposition: with, in, of, or by?....................................................................................................24 1.3 ‘The Experience of Jesus at the Jordan’ ..................................................................................................25 2. Acts of the Apostles – Acts of the Holy Spirit .........................................................................................28 2.1 The Essence of Pentecost .............................................................................................................................31 2.2 The Experience of Pentecost ......................................................................................................................33 2.3 The Samaritans (Acts 8:9-19) ....................................................................................................................36 2.4 The Ephesian ‘Disciples’ (Acts 19:1-10) ................................................................................................37 2.5 The Conversion of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48) .......................................................................................39 3. The Experience of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12-14 ...............................................................41 4.
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