Navigation

Archive | Pentecostalism

The PAOC’s Identity Crisis (Part 6 of 6)

By on August 4, 2010 in Pentecostalism 0

We’ve made it to the last of the MPS Papers. Just a reminder, the stated intent of these papers is to “provoke thought and discussion”, not to layout the PAOC’s official position on these matters.

The last paper is written by J. Martini regarding the boundaries between Classical Pentecostals (CP) and the Charismatic Movement (CM).

Paper #6:
There is No Spoon
by J. Martini

Martini was commissioned to “assess the impact of neo-pentecostal/charismatic pneumatology on classical pentecostal spirituality” (1). (This is a nebulous topic to say the least!) He presents his conclusion at the start of the paper: “There is no compelling, concrete characteristic distinguishing pentecostals, ‘classical’ or ‘charismatic’” (1). If it’s so difficult to find boundary markers between CPs and the CM, maybe it’s time to admit that we’re not all that different. Continue Reading →

The PAOC’s Identity Crisis (Part 5 of 6)

By on July 28, 2010 in Pentecostalism 0

Let’s continue our look at the MPS Papers. Just a reminder, the stated intent of these papers is to “provoke thought and discussion”, not to layout the PAOC’s official position on these matters.

Paper no. 5 was written by Jim Lucas, the president of Canadian Pentecostal Seminary. The last line of the document reads, “For a Denominational Leaders Day at Trinity Western University,” so we’re looking at a speech more than an academic work. Here we go:

Paper #5:
The Ethos of Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Churches: Spirit and Power
by Jim Lucas

Lucas, like many people, have trouble finding one unifying way to describe Pentecostals. Aside from 1) a common Statement of Fundamental and Essential Truths, 2) a nation wide set of credentialing criteria, and 3) a joint mission program, we’re free as individual congregations to follow the Spirit wherever he may lead. In spite of this, Lucas describes some common threads in our shared experience which we’ll look at below. Continue Reading →

The PAOC’s Identity Crisis (Part 4 of 6)

By on July 20, 2010 in Pentecostalism 0

Let’s continue our look at the MPS Papers. Just a reminder, the stated intent of these papers is to “provoke thought and discussion”, not to layout the PAOC’s official position on these matters.

Paper number four was written by William Sloos, a guy I went to Bible College with back in the ’90s. Let’s have a look:

Paper #4:
Defining Pentecostal Identity – Differences between Charismatics and Classical Pentecostals
by William Sloos

Sloos’ topic is interesting. Have you ever wondered what separates pentecostals from charismatics? He tackles the subject with some opening remarks on the two movements, followed by nine differences between them (according to P. D. Hocken). Sloos concludes by pointing the way forward toward a renewed Pentecostal identity. Continue Reading →

The PAOC’s Identity Crisis (Part 3 of 6)

By on July 14, 2010 in Pentecostalism 1

Let’s continue our look at the MPS Papers. Just a reminder, the stated intent of these papers is to “provoke thought and discussion”, not to layout the PAOC’s official position on these matters.

The third paper was written by our very own Dean of Master’s Pentecostal Seminary, Van Johnson. I fortunate enough to take a class in Romans from him while in seminary. This paper demonstrates his insight into pentecostalism, along with his knack for asking the right (even if difficult) questions.

Paper #3:
Defining Pentecostal Identity – Defining Eschatology
by Van Johnson

Like the rest of the papers we’re looking at, please read the original. One of my professors (Victor Shepherd) used to say that reading the Bible in translation was like sipping a fine wine through a tea-bag. The same might be suggested of these summaries. I’ll use the structure of the paper to summarize the key ideas below, before following with some thoughts of my own. Continue Reading →

The PAOC’s Identity Crisis (Part 2 of 6)

By on July 7, 2010 in Pentecostalism 0

Let’s continue our look at the MPS Papers. Just a reminder, the stated intent of these papers is to “provoke thought and discussion”, not to layout the PAOC’s official position on these matters.

The second paper was written by respected pentecostal scholar, Roger Stronstad (author of The Charismatic Theology of St. Luke and co-editor of Full Life Bible Commentary to the New Testament, a fine (if terse) resource I picked up back in my Seminary days). Without further ado, here’s:

Paper #2:
Baptized With The Holy Spirit
by Roger Stronstad

This 12 page paper is a summary of Biblical references to “baptized with the Holy Spirit”, along with some interpretive comments. I’ll sketch out the primary evidence, but you really should read this paper for yourself. Regardless of your opinion on these matters, Stronstad’s survey is a concise yet comprehensive window into the idea of Spirit-baptism in the New Testament (NT). Continue Reading →

The PAOC’s Identity Crisis (Part 1 of 6)

By on June 29, 2010 in Pentecostalism 0

The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada has set up a Theological Study Commission (described here, near the bottom of the page). The first-fruits of this commission have arrived. Masters Pentecostal Seminary has released a series of six papers that can be downloaded here. The stated intent of these papers is to “provoke thought and discussion”, not to layout the PAOC’s official position on these matters.

I’ve read the papers and they’re quite interesting. I thought I’d do my part to further the discussion by calling out and responding to the papers with some thoughts and questions of my own. Six papers (+ one appendix) = six posts. Here we go:

Paper #1:
Pentecostal Identity—A Pastoral Perspective
by Peter Cusick and Brandon Malo

Cusick and Malo anonymously surveyed PAOC pastors on a variety of issues surrounding our pentecostal identity (the raw data can be found here). The paper begins with bit of history about Pentecostal identity before diving into the results of the survey. Continue Reading →

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes