Bill Oliverio: Theological Hermeneutics in the Classical Pentecostal Tradition
Therefore, and this is my afterword to Oliverio’s conclusion—the diversifying power of Pentecost towards theological pluralism (in contrast to the hegemonic drives of Babel) is what funds our historical journey towards the ever-expanding knowledge of God. Hence, as I have elsewhere expressed, Oliverio and Smith’s respective projects imply a teleological aim to theological pluralism, and thereby also to fostering engagements between diverse theological paradigms. This aim comprises movement towards higher levels of generative-emergent theological reflection, translating the global multidimensionalities of salvation experience and resultant epistemic resources, into prophesied potentialities for human and creational flourishing, albeit in manners filial to the Christian vision of God’s mission (missio Dei) within history and towards creation. This trajectory thus allies Wolfgang Vondey’s suggestion that whereas the history of Pentecostal scholarship historically shifted from the formation of missionaries, to historians, biblical scholarship, and then to theologians, its future may now evolve moreover to the formation of Pentecostal scientists, who will fund the human and natural sciences with the epistemic resources of global Pentecostal spirituality.
Reviewed by Monte Lee Rice
Publisher’s page: http://www.brill.com/theological-hermeneutics-classical-pentecostal-tradition
Category: In Depth, Spring 2015
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