Precedents and Possibilities: Pentecostal Perspectives on World Religions
What Pentecostal inclusivism does affirm is that the one true living God through the Spirit is providentially present and active throughout the whole world and its peoples and cultures, and that, on the basis of the person and work of the Son, revelation and redemption are made available in some way that nonetheless cries out for the fullness of clear gospel proclamation and realization.
Usually Pentecostals have historically looked at other religious traditions as problems to be solved for purposes of missions. But the record shows the Pentecostals have a checkered history regarding other religions. Our own identity and spirituality predisposes us to acknowledging the possibility of the presence and power of God working providentially throughout the whole world. Yet we have often fallen prey to a cultural captivity in favor of a restrictive approach regarded by others we admired as somehow more Christian, and this has resulted in the compromising of our own inner convictions. Pentecostals, true to our own inherent identity and impulse, can and should be more open and inclusivist in practicing the power of “the unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3). Perhaps Pentecostals have been raised up for just such a purpose.
Now, how does this help us in the current context of religious pluralism to minister more effectively as church leaders, pastors, and teachers? We can provide our people with a positive and practical paradigm for understanding and relating to religious others in our midst. Rather than denying the problem of other religions or indiscriminately demonizing everyone other than ourselves we can dialogue in the context of sincere listening and sensitive witness. Accordingly, we can help our typical Pentecostal brother or sister sitting in the pew to not feel intimidated or overwhelmed by prevalent religious pluralism. Developing a mature, moderate theology of religions can help Pentecostals effectively confront the fact of religious pluralism from a position of strength and truth.
ENDNOTES
1 Cf. Diana Eck, in A New Religious America: How a “Christian Country” Has Become the World’s Most Religiously Diverse Nation (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001).
2 Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, An Introduction to the Theology of Religions: Biblical, Historical, & Contemporary Perspectives (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), pp. 20.
3 My personal position unreservedly affirms Jesus Christ the Son of God as the only absolute and universal Savior and Lord whose gracious presence and influence reaches into the whole world by the Holy Spirit (see Acts 4:12; Psalm 139:7). Cf. Tony Richie, “God’s Fairness to People of All Faiths: A Respectful Proposal to Pentecostals for Discussion Regarding World Religions”, Pneuma: The Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies (forthcoming Spring 2006).
Category: Ministry, Spring 2006
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