A Dialogical Approach to Pentecostal Pneumatology by Allison S. MacGregor Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Theology) Acadia University Fall Convocation 2011 © by Allison S. MacGregor, 2011 This thesis by ALLISON S. MACGREGOR was defended successfully in an oral examination on DATE OF DEFENCE. The examining committee for the thesis was: ________________________ Dr. Bruce Fawcett, Chair ________________________ Dr. Van Johnson ________________________ Dr. Robert Wilson ________________________ Dr. William Brackney, Supervisor ________________________ Dr. Craig Evans, Director of MA program, Acadia Divinity College ________________________ Dr. Harry Gardner, President, Acadia Divinity College This thesis is accepted in its present form by the Division of Research and Graduate Studies as satisfying the thesis requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Theology). …………………………………………. ii I, ALLISON S. MACGREGOR, grant permission to the University Librarian at Acadia University to reproduce, loan or distribute copies of my thesis in microform, paper or electronic formats on a non-profit basis. I, however, retain the copyright in my thesis. ______________________________ Author ______________________________ Supervisor ______________________________ Date iii To My Children Gifts from the Lord iv CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... viii INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 1 CHAPTER 1: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PENTECOSTAL PNEUMATOLOGY (PART 1): FROM THE PRIMITIVE CHURCHES TO PIETISM ........................................................................................................................................ 5 THE PRIMITIVE CHURCHES....................................................................................................7 ANOTHER LOOK AT MONTANISM .........................................................................................9 CONTRIBUTIONS OF EARLY CHURCH THEOLOGIANS ............................................................12 REFORMATION THEOLOGIANS AND GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT ....................................................18 THE PIETIST MOVEMENT AND QUAKERS.............................................................................22 SUMMARY ...........................................................................................................................25 CHAPTER 2: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF PENTECOSTAL PENEUMATOLOGY (PART 2): FROM METHODISM TO MODERN PENTECOSTALISM................................................................................................................. 27 THE METHODIST FOUNDATION ...........................................................................................27 NON-METHODIST INFLUENCES............................................................................................35 RELIGIOUS CLIMATE PRECEDING AZUSA ............................................................................46 MODERN PENTECOSTALISM ................................................................................................47 SUMMARY ...........................................................................................................................58 CHAPTER 3: THEOLOGICAL INTEGRITY: THE ISSUE OF SUBSEQUENCE ........ 60 THE BIBLICAL FOUNDATION ...............................................................................................61 THE BIBLICAL EVIDENCE ....................................................................................................69 PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGY OF SPIRIT BAPTISM ....................................................................74 SUBSEQUENCE.....................................................................................................................74 THE CRUCIAL ISSUE ............................................................................................................77 THE ISSUE OF EVIDENCE: TONGUES ....................................................................................78 SPEAKING IN TONGUES: PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS ............................................................82 SUMMARY ...........................................................................................................................89 v CHAPTER 4: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN SELECT MAJOR THEOLOGIANS AND MODERN PENTECOSTAL THOUGHT .................................................................... 93 THE REFORMED TRADITION AND PNEUMATOLOGY: A SAMPLE ..........................................95 Ulrich Zwingli ........................................................................................................96 John Calvin ............................................................................................................97 Jürgen Moltmann ...................................................................................................98 Douglas John Hall ...............................................................................................102 Harvey Cox ..........................................................................................................104 THE EVANGELICAL TRADITION AND PNEUMATOLOGY: A SAMPLE ...................................107 Lewis Sperry Chafer ............................................................................................108 Clark Pinnock ......................................................................................................111 Donald Dayton .....................................................................................................114 Donald Bloesch ....................................................................................................115 Wolfhart Pannenberg ...........................................................................................120 SUMMARY .........................................................................................................................122 CHAPTER 5: GENERAL CONCLUSION .......................................................................... 124 PENTECOSTALS AND REFORMED IN DIALOGUE .................................................................124 Convergences .......................................................................................................125 Divergences..........................................................................................................126 Summary...............................................................................................................130 PENTECOSTALS AND EVANGELICALS IN DIALOGUE...........................................................131 Convergences .......................................................................................................131 Divergences..........................................................................................................134 Summary...............................................................................................................136 AREAS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION ....................................................................................136 CONCLUSION .....................................................................................................................138 APPENDIX ............................................................................................................................... 140 BIBLIOGRAPHY .................................................................................................................... 143 vi ABSTRACT The modern understanding of Classical Pentecostal pneumatology remains largely similar to its historical roots in the early 20th century. Pentecostals hold to a pneumatological doctrine known as “subsequence”: that there is an experience for believers distinct from and subsequent to conversion. This experience is known to many as the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, Pentecostal believers claim that this experience must be accompanied by speaking in a spiritual language (glossolalia). This thesis explores the historical development of this doctrine as it was understood by the believers at Pentecost and traces it through various groups and persons to the present time. The pertinent question of whether or not the mysterious gift of tongues is intended for all Christian people or just given to a few is also explored as this issue is of paramount importance to Pentecostal theology. Lastly, a textual dialogue between major theologians focusing on pneumatology as it relates to Pentecostal emphasis is presented. It is hoped that this thesis might be an asset to theological dialogue between Pentecostals and other Christian groups. vii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express appreciation to the faculty and staff at Acadia Divinity College. I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent in classes at the College and my horizons were expanded in many ways. I would like to express deepest appreciation and respect for my supervisor, Dr. William H. Brackney, whose academic influence is guided by his spiritual foundation. His scholarly excellence has prompted me to strive for the same. The contributions he has made to this thesis have made it what it is. I am truly grateful. To my friends and colleagues serving with me in ministry