Ken Archer

For the Theology Interest Group on Thursday afternoon, Ken Archer presented a paper laying out three decisive moves of the “Cleveland School” as well as four key thinkers beginning in the 1980-1990s (Stephen Land, Cheryl Bridges Johns, John Christopher Thomas, and Rickie D. Moore) whose writings and contributions to Pentecostal studies were the catalyst of this “School”. The three moves were:

1. Pentecostal spirituality was distinctly embraced
2. A linguistic turn to context extradited understanding
3. An adaptation of postmodern theory from Pentecostal perspective was adopted

As part of the distinctly Pentecostal spirituality the foundational significance of five-fold gospel (Jesus saves, sanctifies, baptizes in the Holy Spirit, heals, and is soon coming king) seems always to be present in their work. Further, their Pentecostal spirituality thus belongs to the more Wesleyan stream and therefore also tends to be more Eastern/Catholic in orientation.

The “Cleveland School” (a name given to this particular approach to theology and biblical reflection) explicitly self-claims a Pentecostal identity with even its negative effects. These thinkers and their students are unapologetic about being Pentecostal.  While they were early on marginalized it gave cohesion for the development of a distinct group identity. This group also works distinctly for the Church and advancement of the kingdom rather than specifically for academia. According to Archer, M. Cartledge may have been one of the first to write of the “School”, though James K.A. Smith may actually have been the first to use the term.

As part of their theological and biblical work, those associated with the “School” have taken up W. Hollenweger’s emphasis on the early Pentecostals and their literature as being the heart of the movement. Their work is often informed by an early Pentecostal Wirkungsgeschichte (history of effects) approach which pays careful attention to the early literature of Pentecostals and how they heard the various theological and biblical issues being studied.

Chris Green

Chris Green (in typical fashion) offered a work in progress as one who is always trying to continue discerning. He delivered (part of his) thirty-nine theses on Christology. Chris used G. Hunsinger’s typology of low, high, and middle Christologies as a more helpful categorization that the normal bifurcated low and high categories. He offered numerous points at which he contended Pentecostals have tended (typically) toward forms of Christology that treat the deity as overly distinct from the humanity of Christ. He offered that there is a pastoral danger of an exemplar Christology that sees Jesus as little more than an example to be followed in his humanity. Further, he contended that Pentecostals should not be overly quick to embrace J. Moltmann’s theology of God suffering (see his “Crucified God”) which may simply be a low kenotic Christology in how one conceives of Jesus’ life, but a high Christology for his death on the cross.

Tony Richie Summarizes and Reflects on Special White House Convening: “Celebrating and Protecting America’s Tradition of Religious Pluralism”

On Thursday, December 17th from 1:00-4:30 PM the White House conducted a special convening on “Celebrating and Protecting America’s Tradition of Religious Pluralism.”[1] Participation was by White House invitation only. Two Church of God ministers, Cheryl Bridges Johns and Tony Richie, were among those involved. Johns and her husband, Jackie, pastor New Covenant in Cleveland, Tennessee while Richie and his wife, Sue, pastor New Harvest in Knoxville, Tennessee. Johns is Robert E. Fisher Professor of Spiritual Renewal and Christian Formation at Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Richie is Adjunct Professor of Historical and Doctrinal Theology at Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Steven D. Martin, Director of Communications and Development for the National Council of Churches, was instrumental in effecting this significant invitation for these two Pentecostals.

The meeting was sponsored by the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. It focused on the deep American traditions of religious inclusion, freedom, and cooperation among those with different beliefs. Officials discussed steps they take to promote and protect these traditions. Attendees had the opportunity to discuss efforts to carry these traditions forward in positive modes. Devotees from the major faith traditions participated.

The day’s sessions were moderated by Melissa Rogers, Special Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. She insisted that, “There are no second class faiths in the United States of America.” However, Rogers also admitted “We have not always lived up to our ideals.” Remarks setting a tone of sober discussion with serious political overtones were made by Cecilia Muñoz, Assistant to the President, Director of Domestic Policy Council; Amy Pope, Deputy Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy Assistant to the President for Homeland Security; and Vanita Gupta, Principle Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice.

Robby Jones, Chief Executive Officer of the Public Religion Research Institute, presented recent data describing the United States as an increasingly plural nation in terms of its religious population. He submitted that religious diversity is in line with our nation’s history. However, the US has never before experienced the high level of diversity it does now. Yet most people (including atheists) still have small friendship circles including only or almost only their own faith group. The least levels of interaction in the US appear to be in the geographical South (the Bible Belt) and Midwest (the Heartland), apparently because of lower levels of religious diversity than the overall national average. Nevertheless, white Evangelicals appear to be a prominent group expressing mistrust and suspicion of religious others. Tennessee is frequently cited as a key battleground state in the fight for freedom of religion. Accordingly, both challenges and opportunities arise. In a word, more interreligious interaction is needed at communal and individual levels.

Candy Gunther Brown speaking during the plenary session.

Meeting highlights

Pentecostal/charismatic scholars in worship.

This year’s meeting was themed, “Global Spirit: Pentecostals and the World.” Via plenary sessions, symposiums, panel discussions, and paper deliveries through the varied Interest Group sessions, I with more than 350 people from across the USA, Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, and Canada, were gathered to explore, dialogue, and address relations between globalization, Pentecostalism worldwide, and the missional movements of the Holy Spirit throughout the global Church and world today. In doing so, we thus identified and conceptualized theological frameworks most conducive for both assessing the present transformation of world Christianity through global renewal movements, and envisioning directions of worldwide renewal over the coming decades.

SPS co-founder, Vinson Synan, and Ken Archer.

Founded in 1970, the Society for Pentecostal Studies (SPS) has grown into an international scholarly community comprising 500-plus members, who represent more than 60 theologically diverse church traditions and denominations and 190 institutions. Hence, while centered on Pentecostal and Charismatic studies, SPS has evolved into an effective ecumenical forum, which has enabled Pentecostals to participate in theological dialogues within or with other bodies such as the Faith and Order Commission of the National Council of Churches (USA), the Wesleyan Theological Society, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, as well as with the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions.

The 2015 Latino delegation.

This year’s conference was graced by four plenary speakers whose respective deliveries provided complementary reflection on the themes of global Pentecostalism, globalization, and the transformation of world Christianity through charismatic renewal worldwide. First to note was Dr. Ivan Satyavrata’s opening plenary address titled, “‘The Wind Blows Where It Wills’: Celebrating the Spirit’s Free Movement in a World without Borders.” Dr Satyavrata leads the Assemblies of God church and its ministry networks in Kolkata, India, much of which was founded by the late Mark Buntain. Speaking for the Friday morning plenary session was Dr. Candy Gunther Brown, Professor of Religious Studies at Indiana University, USA, whose address was titled, “Healing and the Growth of Global Pentecostalism.”

The 2015 Women’s caucus.

The keynote conference speaker was Dr Allan Anderson, Professor of Mission and Pentecostal Studies at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. His address was titled, The Transformation of World Christianity: Challenges and Opportunities for Pentecostalism.” Anderson argued that the globalizing power of Pentecostalism is fuelled by an inherent tension it comprises, between a global charismatic, media-driven “meta-culture,” and a countervailing localization impulse that coupled with its supernatural worldview, makes Pentecostal spirituality naturally contextual with the common Majority Word holistic worldview, which perceives daily life as thoroughly pervaded with spiritual forces and realities.