The heart of Pentecostal practice has always been an experience of the Holy Spirit. These experiences are often claimed to have the direct guidance of the Spirit and form the decisions and actions that result in the ongoing of the development of practices and doctrine. It is my contention that the third and fourth so-called waves of the Spirit are not truly waves of the Spirit, neither are they new. They are the rebirth, albeit in a new manner, of three disappointing and tragic movements of past Pentecostal history, namely the (New) Latter Rain, the Shepherding Movement, and the Prosperity Movement. I maintain that these two waves do not follow a solid Pentecostal doctrinal stand of an experience in the Holy Spirit of separability and subsequence, neither do they draw their doctrinal stand from the book of Acts, but rather the Synoptic gospels. Unfortunately, even though Pentecostal scholarship is on the rise, the majority of the prolific writers of these last two waves are extremely eisegetical in regards to their dealing with the Word of God. They claim vision and direction from Heaven, as opposed to an exegesis of the canon of Scripture. I maintain that these two, so called waves of the Spirit are not Heaven sent but man conceived and thus dangerous heresy to the church. `I believe that courage is the most important virtue, the foundation that underlies and gives realty to all other virtues and personal values. Without courage we become conformists. Conformity is not the fibre good and courageous leaders are made of… Do not be frightened by the aloneness that may come with your holding unpopular positions. It is in aloneness that wisdom will visit you and smile upon you'. These are not, as a theologian might be entitled to expect, the words of Elijah or Jeremiah. They are quoted from a speech given in 1999 by Mamphela Ramphele, vice chancellor of the University of Cape Town. Her context was the silence that has so often fallen on African societies once liberation has taken place. It is just such silent acquiescence, she insists, that allow former `heroes of the struggle' to become despots and dictators. Her words are challenging to Pentecostal theologians for at least two reasons. The first and more mundane is that Pentecostalism is most vibrant today in precisely those countries, which can be termed `postcolonial'. The second, and to my mind the most relevant to the movement, is that Pentecostalism was at its beginning a powerful spiritual force because it inherited an ethos of radical difference and because its proponents were unflinching in refusing to be co-opted into any other agenda than the one for which they knew they had been empowered by the Spirit of Jesus Christ. In this sense it was a prophetic religion, a religion similar to that of Elijah and Jeremiah. It is my plea then in this presentation that the so-called `postcolonial' countries will not swallow this new error, which has been called the new Pentecostal rhema from Heaven, which stems, as do so many new theological trends from the Western world. The new emerging Pentecostal Charismatic churches, particularly of the Third World need to have the courage not to be conformists, for such is not the fiber good and courageous leaders have. The hermeneutical pneumatology of the Pentecostal tradition has always been questioned. The early Pentecostals did not even bother to develop a theological hermeneutical position of a subsequent experience of the Spirit; they accepted their experience as from God . When they did begin to develop a Pentecostal theology it was often ridiculed as being primarily experiential, thus in the minds of most, devoid of Biblical theology. Fifty years after the outpouring of the Spirit at Azusa Street many Pentecostal scholars began to re-examine the pneumatology of Luke's writing. In the latter part of the 20th Century many Pentecostal scholars came into their own, examining and challenging many of the previously accepted conclusions of theologians, in regards to the Classical Pentecostal doctrinal position . Their position was that there was a separable and subsequent experience of the Spirit following salvation, which was accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking with other tongues. The initial evidence was for a few, and still is for some, questionable evidence. Such a position stood in opposition to those who declared that there was no second experience of the Holy Spirit for any person other than salvation. If those who believed in the `conversion-initiation, which included the baptism in the Holy Spirit' were indeed correct, then everything that Luke talks about in relation to pneumatology in his two-volume work is totally in relation to salvation. This was the theological pneumatological position prior to Classical Pentecostalism. It did and has resulted in many theological challenges. Scholars who take this position do so on the premise that Pentecost is more of a historical situation for the church. However scholars convinced of the Classical Pentecostal position are refusing to accept this position and have and are continuing to develop an exegetical position for a secondary work of the Holy Spirit in a person's life. This is my personal position made vitally real for me since I did not grow up in a Pentecostal church setting, but rather came into the Pentecostal experience in my early 20's. It is my contention that the theological impact of Christ's ascension prior to the public ascension witnessed in Acts 1 has not been fully examined. Few scholars have dealt with the typological fulfillment firstly, of the work of the High Priest as seen completed in the life of Jesus Christ, or secondly, of His fulfillment of the first four feasts which the Jews were commanded to keep. Both of these aspects very clearly enhance and form a clear indication that the classical Pentecostal theology was and is correct in speaking of a separable and subsequent work of the Spirit following a clear salvation experience. I will seek to elucidate this by an examining the historical background of the first two waves of the Spirit, followed by a preview of the work of the Holy Spirit as seen in the canon of Scripture with emphasis on the New Testament. I will follow this by the development of the idea of regeneration in the New Testament. Finally I will examine Lukan writing in regards to the experience known as the baptism of the Holy Spirit. These chapters will then serve as a base for comparison with the material, which will follow. In the late 20th and early 21st century the Classical Pentecostal doctrine has been challenged by the last two charismatic waves of the Spirit, both of which have spawned a plethora of writings. It is my contention first; that the traditional Pentecostal understanding of the authority of Scripture has been abandoned in that now experience takes precedence over Scripture. Secondly it is clear that these last two waves do not fall within the same parameters as the first two waves in their understanding of a doctrine of separability and subsequence, since they revert to a pre-Classical Pentecostal theological position of only one experience of the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, in a day when Pentecostal scholarship is seeking to become acceptable in their exegesis, the authors of these waves are almost totally eisegetical. The question needs to be asked `Have they subtly taken on a title to glean a following?' It is thus my contention that a survey of these waves shows that they have no common ground with the initial two waves of the Spirit. The indication is that they have deliberately chosen a different Biblical basis and thus disqualify themselves from the Pentecostal Charismatic stream. I will seek to elucidate this by examining the historical background of the last two waves of the Spirit, followed by an examination of the Pentecostal hermeneutic and their lack of hermeneutics, as seen so clearly in their writings. This will be done by pointing out the comparisons to the latter two waves of the Spirit both in theory and in the voluminous writing, which are largely based on eisegesis. The stated desire to `have church without making anyone sick' has broached and taken the movements far into left field. Finally, it is my contention that the third and fourth waves of the Spirit are not new at all. They are simply a rebirth of three disappointing and tragic movements in Pentecostal history. Thus I hope to clearly substantiate that the third and fourth wave of the Spirit are not really waves of the Spirit at all. They are not such in terms of their Biblical theological basis, neither are they such exegetically. They are simply the result of those desirous of the moving of the Holy Spirit who have reached back into the past and reintroduced past aspects of renewal, which unfortunately were man centered and resulted later in much havoc among Christians. I will seek to elucidate these facts by an examination of the history and practice of the (New) Latter Rain, which still haunts Saskatchewan, Canada where tragedies still exist, and the Shepherding movement out of Florida, which after a few years was denounced even by the leaders and finally totally disbanded. Then, finally the Prosperity Movement, which rose and fell as an unacceptable, illegitimate deduction of so called truth of the canon. One hopes and prays that the tragedies in lives will not live to haunt the church if Jesus tarries. We do not want the "heroes of spiritual struggles" to become the despots and dictators of the Pentecostal churches in the Third World. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Church History)

Text in English / This thesis is a study of several major motifs found in classical Pentecostal missiology in the North American scene. It is both a missiologically interpreted study based on the historical antecedents of Pentecostal mission theology and a Pentecostal interpretation of five major motifs germane to Evangelical and Pentecostal missiology in this present time. The intent and purpose of this study is to begin in chapter two with the Antecedents and Matrix of Pentecostalism per se and interpret them through missiological eyes. Topics such as the Holiness-Wesleyan roots of Pentecostalism which includes looking at such personages as John Wesley, Charles Finney, et al are studied. As well, the Reformed, non-Wesleyan roots of Pentecostalism are highlighted which includes Premillennialism, Dwight Moody, Reuben Torrey, A J Gordon, and A B Simpson, and Divine Healing. Finally, one arrives at the matrix of modern day Pentecostalism. The major emphasis is placed upon Charles Parham, William Seymour, the Azusa Street Mission, and on African American Pentecostals. The remaining chapters are an articulation, evaluation, and interpretation of five major Pentecostal mission theologies (practices) that emerged from the antecedents and appear to be in common with the majority of classical Pentecostal denominations. Chapter three deals with The Lostness of the Human Race. Topics included are lnterreligious dialogue, 'Life boat salvation', and the exclusiveness of Christ. Chapter four handles the concepts of Church Planting and Evangelism from perspectives of the Ecumencials, Evangelicals, and Pentecostals. In chapter five, the understanding of Indigenous Church Principles is studied from its origin to present- day application. Notable persons are Melvin Hodges and Morris Williams. Most relevant to present-day missiology is chapter six which deals with Social Responsibility and how Pentecostal missiology has responded to this need. Finally, Pneumatology as characterized by Pentecostal mission theology is studied. Emphasis is placed on Xenolalia, the Great Commission, Traditional Pentecostal Pneumatology, Pentecostal hermeneutics, and the Holy Spirit in missions. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th. (Missiology)

This thesis is an investigation into the discrepancies that exist in textual interpretations within Pentacostalism, in view of the ongoing search for a viable hermeneutic model unique to Pentecostalism. Since its birth, the modern Pentecostal movement has been influenced by many other theological traditions, especially Covenant theology and Dispensationalism. Nevertheless, from this research it becomes clear that Pentecostalists themselves have contributed to the discrepancies by failing to distinguish between biblical passages related to national Israel and those related to the church. It is factual that cultural differences and theological backgrounds influence the interpretations ascribed to Scripture. Yet, this research found that scriptural interpretive discrepancies exist amongst Pentecostalists belonging to the same cultural group and same denomination. This study presents a new perspective on biblical interpretation for Pentecostalism, namely the Mediatorial View, which when consistently applied to all tectual interpretations, most certainly will reduce the number of discrepancies that exist. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T19:20:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CRE - Marina Ap O S Correa.pdf: 1492462 bytes, checksum: 51d6f170b11bc98270242ddd0b8a5b20 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-10-31 / The present research is fruit of constant fidgets on as the church if it transforms front to the renewal of the environment and its people, as well as of your time. To modify a characteristic means that not to make different, before is necessary to renew positions and thoughts, without which the foreseen success is not reached. To study the church Assembly of God in the São Paulo's neighbor of the Bom Retiro, its traditional characteristics and socio-cultural factors, amongst others, made possible to understand as the societies human beings establish bonds from interests in common; and, in ours case, the search of new profiles of people appears a new image for the church. It also exists, a disruption with its philosopher-theological origins, appearing new forms, practical, distinct and divergent ways of if articulating with the faith, thus generating, a religious pluralism and new theology of understanding in its speeches. This alteration of characteristics comes of meeting with economic factors related to the welfare and the way of life based in the idea of the minimum state, or either, the auto determination of the people front to its longed for objectives. Therefore, we today have a church in transit, that follows the profiles objectified at definitive moments or situations, not necessarily in agreement with the daily payestablished rules, but breaching with these traditional standards and extending its continuity of works. Today, it is not more the people that adapts to the molds of the church, but is the church that adapts to the profiles of its people / A presente pesquisa é fruto de constantes inquietações sobre como a igreja se transforma frente à renovação do ambiente e de seus fiéis, bem como de sua época. Alterar uma característica significa muito mais que fazer diferente, antes é preciso renovar posturas e pensamentos, sem os quais não se atinge o sucesso previsto. Estudar a igreja Assembléia de Deus no bairro paulistano do Bom Retiro, suas características tradicionais e fatores sócio-culturais, dentre outros, possibilitou entender como as sociedades humanas estabelecem vínculos a partir de necessidades em comum; e, em nosso caso, como a procura de novos perfis de fiéis gera uma nova imagem para a igreja. Existe também, um rompimento com suas origens filósofo-teológicas, aparecendo novas formas, práticas, maneiras distintas e divergentes de se articular com a fé, gerando assim, um pluralismo religioso e novas teologias de compreensão em seus discursos. Essa alteração de características vem ao encontro com fatores econômicos relacionados ao bem estar e ao modo de vida arraigado na idéia do estado mínimo, ou seja, a auto determinação das pessoas frente aos seus objetivos almejados. Portanto, temos hoje uma igreja em trânsito, que segue os perfis objetivados em determinados momentos ou situações, não necessariamente em acordo com as regras pré-estabelecidas, mas rompendo com esses padrões tradicionais e ampliando sua continuidade de trabalhos. Hoje, parece não ser mais o fiel quem se adapta aos moldes da igreja, mas a igreja quem se adapta aos perfis de seus fiéis

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Birmingham, 1989. / Includes bibliographical references ((p. [279]-305)) and index.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Birmingham, 1989. / Includes bibliographical references ((p. [279]-305)) and index.

This thesis is an investigation into the discrepancies that exist in textual interpretations within Pentacostalism, in view of the ongoing search for a viable hermeneutic model unique to Pentecostalism. Since its birth, the modern Pentecostal movement has been influenced by many other theological traditions, especially Covenant theology and Dispensationalism. Nevertheless, from this research it becomes clear that Pentecostalists themselves have contributed to the discrepancies by failing to distinguish between biblical passages related to national Israel and those related to the church. It is factual that cultural differences and theological backgrounds influence the interpretations ascribed to Scripture. Yet, this research found that scriptural interpretive discrepancies exist amongst Pentecostalists belonging to the same cultural group and same denomination. This study presents a new perspective on biblical interpretation for Pentecostalism, namely the Mediatorial View, which when consistently applied to all tectual interpretations, most certainly will reduce the number of discrepancies that exist. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T12:19:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Adrien 2014.pdf: 1955743 bytes, checksum: 1844ebd80c3533e7707d92c7fb3597e7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-10-02 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The purpose of this paper is to show the implementation strategies and the expansion of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) in sub-Saharan Africa, while taking into account the rapid growth of Pentecostalism in the world and the context of religious trans-nationalization. The UCKG is a Brazilian Pentecostal Church that emerged in 1977 and expanded into many countries worldwide. It is present in 39 countries in sub-Saharan Africa concentrating mostly in large cities. Several factors prove its growth and expansion in Africa, among other factors syncretism, i.e., the ability to adapt to African culture. The other factors are: social visibility (especially through the use of media and social assistance), the political secrecy, the practice of exorcism, prosperity discourses, the friendship and partner-ship with African governments, their anti-ecumenical attitude and the adoption of an Episcopal organization. This paper brings some discussions regarding Pentecostalism and neo-Pentecostalism in Sub-Saharan Africa, African Independent Churches (AIC) and the presence of Christianity in Africa since the very beginning. / Esse trabalho trata das estratégias de implantação e expansão da Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus (IURD) na África Subsaariana, tendo conta de crescimento acelerado do pentecostalismo no mundo e no contexto da transnacionalização religiosa. A IURD é uma Igreja neopentecostal brasileira que surgiu em 1977 e se expandiu em vários países do mundo. Ela está presente em 39 países da África subsaariana e se concentra nas grandes cidades. Vários fatores explicam o seu crescimento e expansão no continente africano, entre os quais o sincretismo, isto é, a capacidade de se adaptar à cultura africana. Outros fatores são: a visibilidade social (especialmente no uso da mídia e a assistência social), a política do segredo, a prática de exorcismo, o discurso da prosperidade, a relação de amizade e de parceria com governos africanos, a sua atitude anti-ecumênica e a adoção de uma organização episcopal. Aborda-se também nesse trabalho, o pentecostalismo e o neopentecostalismo na África, as Igrejas Independentes Africanas (IIA) e a presença do Cristianismo no continente africano desde os primórdios.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nesta tese serão discutidas as principais interseções entre a expansão do pentecostalismo protestante e as culturas locais que são alvo de sua ação evangelizadora. Mais especificamente, pretendemos demonstrar, a partir de estudos realizados em algumas regiões do estado de Minas Gerais e Norte de Portugal, de que forma certas conformações culturais mostram-se extremamente refratárias à implantação e limitam o crescimento das igrejas pentecostais. Nesse sentido, procuramos relativizar algumas vertentes teóricas que têm sido chamadas de paradigma da escolha racional em religião, que em um salto para fora da teoria sociológica de entendimento da religião busca na Economia seus principais fundamentos. De forma diversa, nesta tese defender-se-á que processos histórico-estruturais influenciam a demanda por religião e que a produção e principalmente o consumo dos bens religiosos estão imersos nas relações sociais face-a-face. Desta maneira, não acreditamos serem as regulações estatais a principal variável quando se trata de diversidade religiosa. Outros sim, pensamos que este papel cabe às relações societais, que limitam e regulam o trânsito dos indivíduos entre as denominações religiosas. / In this thesis we discuss the intersections between the expansion of Protestant Pentecostalism and local cultures that are the target of its evangelizing. More specifically, we intend to demonstrate, from studies conducted in various regions of the state of Minas Gerais and northern Portugal, how certain cultural conformations tend to be extremely refractory to implantation and limit the growth of Pentecostal churches. We aim to relativize some theoretical issues that have been called "the paradigm of rational choice in religion", which in one jump out of the sociological theory of religion understood seek in Economy your main ideas. In several ways, this thesis will defend historical-structural processes that influence the demand for religion and especially the production and consumption of religious goods are embedded in social relations face-to-face. Thus, we do not believe the state regulations are the main variable when it comes to religious diversity. Furthermore, we believe that this role falls to the societal relations that limit and regulate the transit of individuals among religious denominations.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nesta tese serão discutidas as principais interseções entre a expansão do pentecostalismo protestante e as culturas locais que são alvo de sua ação evangelizadora. Mais especificamente, pretendemos demonstrar, a partir de estudos realizados em algumas regiões do estado de Minas Gerais e Norte de Portugal, de que forma certas conformações culturais mostram-se extremamente refratárias à implantação e limitam o crescimento das igrejas pentecostais. Nesse sentido, procuramos relativizar algumas vertentes teóricas que têm sido chamadas de paradigma da escolha racional em religião, que em um salto para fora da teoria sociológica de entendimento da religião busca na Economia seus principais fundamentos. De forma diversa, nesta tese defender-se-á que processos histórico-estruturais influenciam a demanda por religião e que a produção e principalmente o consumo dos bens religiosos estão imersos nas relações sociais face-a-face. Desta maneira, não acreditamos serem as regulações estatais a principal variável quando se trata de diversidade religiosa. Outros sim, pensamos que este papel cabe às relações societais, que limitam e regulam o trânsito dos indivíduos entre as denominações religiosas. / In this thesis we discuss the intersections between the expansion of Protestant Pentecostalism and local cultures that are the target of its evangelizing. More specifically, we intend to demonstrate, from studies conducted in various regions of the state of Minas Gerais and northern Portugal, how certain cultural conformations tend to be extremely refractory to implantation and limit the growth of Pentecostal churches. We aim to relativize some theoretical issues that have been called "the paradigm of rational choice in religion", which in one jump out of the sociological theory of religion understood seek in Economy your main ideas. In several ways, this thesis will defend historical-structural processes that influence the demand for religion and especially the production and consumption of religious goods are embedded in social relations face-to-face. Thus, we do not believe the state regulations are the main variable when it comes to religious diversity. Furthermore, we believe that this role falls to the societal relations that limit and regulate the transit of individuals among religious denominations.