Stephen Barkley
Pentecostals and charismatics are close cousins. Pentecostals trace their origin to the 1906 Azusa Street revival (although some argue that Azusa was just one expression of a global outpouring of the Spirit). The charismatic movement began when people experienced the work of the Spirit within their own denominations in the 1960s. Helen Collins views Pentecostals as a “subset of broader charismatic Christianity” (10), and writes from that broader perspective.
In Charismatic Christianity, Collins explores the various emphases of charismatic Christians through the rubric of spiritual gifts as evidenced (or implicit) in the Pentecost narrative. The structure of this book is intricate. Consider the seven components of each chapter:
- Description
- Gift
- Practice
- Doctrine
- Dangers
- Renewed Gift
- Fruit
On the positive side, this structure allows for the generative collision of various themes in new ways. Alternately, some of the connections feel forced to fit the framework, displayed on a two-page 7×7 grid in the Appendix. Perhaps this is just my practical theological suspicion of systematic theologies showing through!
I’ve read many academic works from Classical Pentecostal scholars. Against this background, Collin’s work stands out as refreshing. She engages charismatic themes less prominent in pentecostalism. For example, under the theme of empowerment, she explores Wimber’s concept of “power evangelism.” Although the theme of power has been misused in Pentecostal and charismatic circles, still:
It is arguably this focus on the tangible empowerment of the Holy Spirit, within a power-infused universe, that is one of the most defining and unifying aspects of a global Pentecostal/charismatic identity. (140)
I would encourage my Classical Pentecostal friends and colleagues to give Charismatic Christianity a try. It’s a fine example of passionate, academically sound, Spirit-led scholarship.
Collins, Helen. Charismatic Christianity: Introducing Its Theology through the Gifts of the Spirit. Baker Academic, 2023.
