A few weeks ago, about 450-500 people and I traveled to Cleveland, Tennessee for the annual meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies (SPS).
Cleveland is the Mecca of the Pentecostal denomination known as the “Church of God (Cleveland, TN).” The city includes both the international offices of the denomination along with its schools: Lee University and Pentecostal Theological Seminary, where this year’s meeting was held. Given the Church of God’s holiness roots, it was fitting that this year SPS met jointly with the Wesleyan Theological Society.
*Photo credit: Brad Noel
Steve Land’s Pentecostal Spirituality
On the first morning of the conference, I attended a panel session that was commemorating the 25th anniversary of Steve Land’s groundbreaking book Pentecostal Spirituality: A Passion for the Kingdom. Many regard this book at marking the beginning of constructive Pentecostal theology.
Four theologians offered an appreciative response to Land’s book. Land then responded and reminded us that Spirit baptism not only gives power to speak the Gospel, but power to love righteously.
On a related note, I was previously unaware that it was Steve Land who had called for the Oneness-Trinitarian Pentecostal dialogue, which eventually met at SPS from 2002-2007. You can find the final report from this dialogue, which summarizes key points of agreement and disagreement between these traditions, in Pneuma vol. 30 (2008), pages 203-224.
Karl Barth and Pentecostal Theology
That’s me 🙂
On Friday morning, I introduced and chaired a session on “Karl Barth and Pentecostal Theology.” The session arose from essays that will be published in a book I am co-editing on the same topic. Terry Cross and Lisa Stephenson presented, and I read Frank Macchia’s paper for him since he wasn’t able to be present.
John Drury (a Barth scholar) responded to the three presenters, noting how both Pentecostal scholars and Barth himself seek to express the non-competitive relationship of the Word and the Spirit in theology. Drury’s observation of Barth is something that both Barth-fans and Barth-haters often don’t recognize.
People are definitely interested in the dialogue with Barth’s theology. The room was full and there was plenty of discussion after the session too—we started at 8:30am, but I didn’t leave the room until just before lunch. (I skipped the “boxed lunched” and headed over to Chick-fil-A.)
Revising Pentecostal Eschatology
One of the best parts of attending academic conferences like SPS is catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. Daniel Isgrigg is one such new friend I met in Cleveland. Daniel serves as a librarian at Oral Roberts University, and he is finishing his PhD through Bangor University (UK).
In his dissertation, Daniel is proposing revisions to the Assemblies of God’s statement of faith regarding eschatology (that is, the Last Things, especially focused on the return of Christ). I found this particularly fascinating since the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (=PAOC, my own denomination) is currently in the process of refreshing our statement of faith on eschatology (and Spirit baptism).
Daniel followed a process similar to what the PAOC’s process has been, but he did it all himself! He researched the historic eschatological emphases that have been found in the official publication of his denomination. He then looked at what contemporary Pentecostals theologians are saying regarding eschatology. And he brought it all together by proposing revisions to the AG’s statement of faith to help them refocus on their historical emphases, while taking account of more recent developments in Pentecostal theology.
Seven Minute Seminary
During the conference I was recorded for Seven Minute Seminary, a YouTube series produced by Seedbed. I was honored to be asked because I have enjoyed many of their videos myself. I’m told that my video will probably be released sometime around Pentecost.
I highly recommend Seven Minute Seminary as a non-Calvinist source for accessible theology—most of the contributors are from the Methodist / Wesleyan tradition. You might consider starting with Frank Macchia (a Pentecostal), who offers a response to cessationism.
Or perhaps consider Scot McKnight (an Anabaptist) on, “When and Where is the Kingdom of God?”
And Food
About halfway between the Atlanta airport and Cleveland, my two Canadian travelling companions and I pulled off the highway, and drove a little off the beaten path. Google maps then led us to a little piece of heaven called Thatcher’s BBQ and Grill. The beef brisket was fantastic!
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You might also be interested in these posts:
- Spirit Baptism in Current Pentecostal Theology: Part 2 – Amos Yong
- The AG, PAOC, and the New Calvinism: A Pentecostal Response to Reformed Theology / Calvinism
- There is No Such Thing as Spiritual Gifts (Kind of)
Andrew K. Gabriel, Ph.D., is the author of Simply Spirit-Filled: Experiencing God in the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit (forthcoming) as well as three academic books, including The Lord is the Spirit. He is a theology professor at Horizon College and Seminary and serves on the Theological Study Commission for the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada. You can follow him on Facebook or on Twitter.
Cant Wait to see your SMS video!
Very interesting and an excellent report on the events you cite!
I woyld be very interested to hear more about the revisions to Pentecostal eschatology and doctrine of spirit baptism. What changes are taking place?
At this point the refreshed statements on these doctrines are only in draft stage, so I can’t say for sure. We will be discussing the drafts in May at PAOC General Conference, but nothing will be voted on for at least 2 more years. In that time period, revisions to the draft will continue based on feedback the Theological Study Commission receives at General Conference and in other regional settings.
Thanks for sharing about our meeting. I too am delighted we were able to finally meet. I greatly enjoyed it learning about the process you all are undertaking with regards to the eschatological fundamental truths.