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Pentecostal Theology According to the Theologians: an Introduction to the Theological Methods of Pentecostal Systematic Theologians

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Pentecostal Theology According to the Theologians: an Introduction to the Theological Methods of Pentecostal Systematic Theologians Marquette University e-Publications@Marquette Dissertations, Theses, and Professional Dissertations (1934 -) Projects Pentecostal Theology According to the Theologians: An Introduction to the Theological Methods of Pentecostal Systematic Theologians Christopher Adam Stephenson Marquette University Follow this and additional works at: https://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu Part of the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Stephenson, Christopher Adam, "Pentecostal Theology According to the Theologians: An Introduction to the Theological Methods of Pentecostal Systematic Theologians" (2009). Dissertations (1934 -). 9. https://epublications.marquette.edu/dissertations_mu/9 PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGY ACCORDING TO THE THEOLOGIANS: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE THEOLOGICAL METHODS OF PENTECOSTAL SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGIANS by Christopher A. Stephenson, B.A., M.A. A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Marquette University, in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Milwaukee, Wisconsin December 2009 Copyright © 2009 by Christopher Adam Stephenson All rights reserved. ABSTRACT PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGY ACCORDING TO THE THEOLOGIANS: AN INTRODUCTION TO THE THEOLOGICAL METHODS OF PENTECOSTAL SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGIANS Christopher A. Stephenson, B.A., M.A. Marquette University, 2009 This dissertation is a twofold argument that 1) existing pentecostal systematic theology can be interpreted according to four analytical categories and that 2) future pentecostal theological method should incorporate a form of lex orandi, lex credendi for the benefit of pentecostal theology and spirituality. I analyze the theological methods of major past and present pentecostal systematic theologians and demonstrate that they have followed four basic patterns. First, Myer Pearlman, E. S. Williams, and French L. Arrington take the material for their theologies almost exclusively from the Bible. Second, Steven J. Land and Simon K. H. Chan center their theologies on the relationship between theology and spirituality. Third, Frank D. Macchia sets the whole of his theology against the background of the kingdom of God and pneumatology. Fourth, Amos Yong focuses his theology on philosophical and fundamental theology from a pneumatological perspective. After analyzing and assessing the methodologies of these pentecostal theologians, I argue that future pentecostal theological method should incorporate a form of lex orandi, lex credendi that I call regula spiritualitatis, regula doctrinae, or, “the rule of spirituality and the rule of doctrine.” This methodological principle utilizes the strengths from the above pentecostal theologians and asks pentecostals to give detailed consideration to the reciprocal relationship between Christian spirituality and doctrine in the process of theologizing. I recommend this methodological principle because it 1) exhibits the traditional pentecostal emphasis on both pneumatology and eschatology, 2) establishes a strong relationship between theology and spirituality, especially in the process of formulating doctrine, 3) is attentive to the hermeneutical matrix constituted by the worshipping communities in which pentecostal theologians are situated, and 4) gives a prominent place to biblical interpretation in systematic theology. I illustrate the contours of regula spiritualitatis, regula doctrinae with a case study of the Lord‟s supper that draws on three particular facets of pentecostal spirituality in order to construct a doctrine of the Lord‟s supper that critiques other facets of pentecostal spirituality. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Christopher A. Stephenson, B.A., M.A. I wish to thank a number of people for their assistance with my dissertation. First, my wife, Lisa Stephenson, has been both an encouraging spouse and a colleague during this process. My parents, Richard Stephenson and Kathy Stephenson, have expressed only support during the course of all of my academic studies. Second, my director, D. Lyle Dabney, first encouraged me to write a dissertation on pentecostal theology. Michel Barnes, Ralph Del Colle, and Philip J. Rossi also gave helpful responses as members of my committee. A special thanks is due to Amos Yong for serving as the external reader on my committee and especially for his responses to my assessment of his theology in chapter four. Third, a generous financial grant from the Louisville Institute during my last year of writing provided the support necessary for me to focus my attention and complete the dissertation. Fourth, the librarians and staff of the Raynor Memorial Libraries (of Marquette University) and the William G. Squires Library (of Lee University) assisted with many needs while researching and writing. They also proved themselves to be valued co- workers while I had the opportunity to work with each during my doctoral studies. Fifth, portions of chapter five are taken from Christopher A. Stephenson, “The Rule of Spirituality and the Rule of Doctrine: A Necessary Relationship in Theological Method.” Journal of Pentecostal Theology 15, no. 1 (2006): 83-105. v TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................1 I. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY AS “BIBLE DOCTRINES”: MYER PEARLMAN, E. S. WILLIAMS, AND FRENCH L. ARRINGTON ..........................................................11 Introduction and Overview ........................................................................................11 Biblical Interpretation as the Primary Task of Systematic Theology ........................20 The Function of Scripture in Systematic Theology: Starting with Epistemology .....25 Other Sources for Theology .......................................................................................30 Influences and Continuities........................................................................................32 Assessment .................................................................................................................36 Summary and Conclusion ..........................................................................................40 II. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY AND CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY: STEVEN J. LAND AND SIMON K. H. CHAN ...................................................................41 Introduction ................................................................................................................41 Steven J. Land ............................................................................................................41 Overview ........................................................................................................41 Spirituality as Theology .................................................................................45 Apocalyptic Affections ..................................................................................48 Apocalyptic/Eschatology and Pneumatology ................................................52 Religious Experience .....................................................................................57 Trinity and Transformation ............................................................................59 Influences and Continuities............................................................................60 Descriptive Influences .......................................................................60 Constructive Influences .....................................................................63 vi Simon K. H. Chan ......................................................................................................66 Overview ........................................................................................................66 Spirituality and the Branches of Theology ....................................................68 Ascetic Spirituality.........................................................................................76 The Traditioning Process and Pentecostal Theology .....................................79 Ecclesiology ...................................................................................................85 Ontology of the Church .....................................................................85 Ecclesiology and Pneumatology ........................................................89 Influences and Continuities............................................................................92 Assessment .................................................................................................................93 Summary and Conclusion ..........................................................................................99 III. SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY, THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND PNEUMATOLOGY: FRANK D. MACCHIA ......................................................................100 Introduction and Overview ........................................................................................100 A Theology of the Kingdom of God ..........................................................................102 A Theology of Glossolalia .........................................................................................103 Pneumatology and Justification .................................................................................112 Towards a Pneumatological Theology.......................................................................120 Baptism in the Holy Spirit as Theology‟s Organizing Principle ...................120
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