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THEO 573 - Pentecostal Theology

Teacher Dr. C. Simpson
Semester Fall Duration 8 Weeks
Frequency Every three years
Credits 5 ECTS Workload 125-150 Hours
Module format Intensive
Applicability This Module is fundamental to the course of study and is applicable to all theological modules in particular Contemporary Theology, German Pentecostalism, and the Lutheran Reception modules.
Course structure See module and courses
Contact time 35-45 Hours Self-Study 105-125 Hours
Participation requirement See access to the program
Evaluation
Evaluation Hours Weight
Phase 1 60 25%
Readings & Responses
 40 15%
Readings & Critical Analysis
 20 10%
Phase 2 40 25%
Participation
 30 10%
Presentation
 10 15%
Phase 3 50 50%
Research Paper
 50 50%
Total 150 100%
Content of the Module This course will consider the theological development of the Pentecostal movement, with a view to rehearsing past theological views as well as future systematic possibilities. Topics to be examined will be the classical doctrines of theology as well as issues of healing, the Five-fold Gospel, experience and theological methodology, and the role of glossolalia and the gifts of the Spirit.
This course is intended to engage the graduate student in the recent development of theology among Pentecostals, focusing in particular on the areas of theological methodology, experience and epistemology, and various doctrinal loci as seen through a Pentecostal lens.
Learning Objectives

A. General Learning Objectives
This course seeks to: 

  1. provide a historical perspective of the theological roots of Pentecostal thought.
  2. describe the theological trends among early Pentecostal thinkers.
  3. explain the connections between various traditional doctrines that Pentecostals share with other Christians as well as explain the differences.
  4. demonstrate the need for theological reflection in Pentecostalism.
  5. suggest future orientations and directions for Pentecostal theology.
  6. compare and contrast various proposed theological models for Pentecostal theology.
  7. inspect the role of experience in relation to theological reflection and epistemology.
  8. offer an overview of Pentecostal ways of engaging and understanding traditional doctrinal loci.

B. Specific Behavioral Objectives
As a result of the activities and study in this course, the student should be able to:

  1. Explain how the various doctrines studied can be conceived through the lens of Pentecostalism.
  2. Identify the historical and theological roots of Pentecostal theology.
  3. Compare and contrast various models of Pentecostal theology.
  4. Sketch the possibilities for a future theological endeavor within the Pentecostal movement.
  5. Appraise the influence of evangelicalism on Pentecostal thought.
  6. Relate the role of experience with Pentecostal theological reflection.
Outline A. The Challenge of Pentecostalism and Theology
B. The Relation of Evangelical Theology and Pentecostal Theology
C. Can there be a Pentecostal Systematic Theology?
D. Theological Roots of Pentecostal Theology
E. Scripture, Hermeneutics, and Pentecostals
F. Soteriology and Pentecostal Theology
G. Sanctification and Pneumatology in Pentecostal Theology
H. Ecclesiology and Pentecostal Theology
I. Eschatology and Pentecostal Theology
Examination See Evaluation
Core Literature Reading List:
Albrecht, Daniel E. 1999. Rites in the Spirit: A Ritual Approach to Pentecostal/Charismatic Spirituality. Sheffield Academic Press
Anderson, Allan H & Hollenweger, Walter J (eds.) 1999. Pentecostals After a Century: Global Perspectives on a Movement in Transition. Sheffield Academic Press
Anderson, Allan 2000. Zion and Pentecost: The Spirituality and Experience of Pentecostal and Zionist/Apostolic Churches in South Africa. Pretoria: University of South Africa Press
Anderson, Allan & Tang, Edmond (eds.) 2005. Asian and Pentecostal: The Charismatic Face of Asian Christianity. Oxford: Regnum & Baguio City, Philippines: APTS Press
Burgess, SM & van der Maas, E (eds) 2003. New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Cox, Harvey 1996. Fire From Heaven: The Rise of Pentecostal Spirituality and the Reshaping of Religion in the Twenty-First Century. London: Cassell
Dayton, Donald W 1987. Theological Roots of Pentecostalism. Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press
Dempster, MA, Klaus, BD & Petersen, D (eds) 1991. Called and Empowered: Global Mission in Pentecostal Perspective. Peabody: Hendrickson
Dempster, MA, Klaus, BD & Petersen, D (eds) 1999. The Globalization of Pentecostalism: A Religion Made to Travel. Oxford: Regnum
Faupel, D William 1996. The Everlasting Gospel: The Significance of Eschatology in the Development of Pentecostal Thought. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press
Hilborn, David (ed.) 2001. ‘Toronto’ in Perspective: Papers on the New Charismatic Wave of the mid-1990s. Carlisle: Paternoster
Hollenweger, Walter J 1972. The Pentecostals. London: SCM
Hollenweger, Walter J 1997. Pentecostalism: Origins and Developments Worldwide. Peabody: Hendrickson
Jacobsen, Douglas 2003. Thinking in the Spirit: Theologies of the Early Pentecostal Movement. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
Johns, Cheryl B 1993. Pentecostal Formation: a pedagogy among the oppressed. Sheffield Academic Press
Land, Steven J 1993. Pentecostal Spirituality: A Passion for the Kingdom. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press
Perriman, Andrew (ed) 2003. Faith Health and Prosperity: A Report on ‘Word of Faith’ and ‘Positive Confession’ Theologies by ACUTE. Carlisle: Paternoster
Yong, Amos 2000. Discerning the Spirit(s): A Pentecostal-Charismatic Contribution to Christian Theology of Religions. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press
Yong, Amos 2005. The Spirit Poured Out On All Flesh: Pentecostalism And The Possibility Of Global Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic
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