An attempt to define the constitutive elements of a pentecostal spirituality

Abstract

Pentecostal spirituality is defined as the integration of beliefs and practices into the affections that are themselves evoked and expressed by those practices and beliefs. This article investigates these practices and beliefs by examining pentecostal publications to define the most important constitutive elements of a pentecostal spirituality. The most important theological beliefs are justification by faith in Christ, sanctification as a second definite work of grace, healing as provided in the atonement, the premillennial second coming of Christ, and the baptism in the Spirit. However, when these theological beliefs are translated into pentecostal practice, it seems that their spirituality is essentially biblical, apocalyptical eschatological, missional, and affective. These elements are discussed in order to attempt to define the constitutive elements of a pentecostal spirituality.Pinksterspiritualiteit kan gedefinieer word as die integrasie van oortuigings en praktyke in die gevoelens wat deur daardie praktyke en oortuigings uitgelok en uitgedruk word. Die artikel ondersoek die praktyke en oortuigings deur na publikasies vanuit Pinkstergeledere te kyk ten einde die belangrikste samestellende elemente van ’n Pinksterspiritualiteit te definieer. Die belangrikste teologiese leerstellings is regverdiging deur die geloof in Christus, heiligmaking as ’n tweede besliste werk van genade, genesing as deel van die versoeningswerk, die verwagting van die premillennialistiese tweede koms van Christus, en die doop in die Heilige Gees. Wanneer die teologiese leerstellings in die Pinksterpraktyk vertaal word, blyk dit dat die spiritualiteit in wese bybels, apokalipties-eskatologies, missionaal en affektief is. Hierdie elemente word bespreek in ’n poging om die essensiële elemente van ’n Pinksterspiritualiteit te definieer.

Breaking with an anticollege tradition: Latinx Pentecostal students and college choice.

“…The “old” Pentecostal church is perceived by participants to disapprove of college due to a misunderstanding of Christian eschatology. Pentecostal teaching has traditionally stressed that Jesus will return to earth in the near future and uses miracles perceived by Pentecostal groups as evidence that signals the end times era (Garneau & Schwadel, 2013; Nel, 2015). The Pentecostal emphasis on intense emotional encounters with the miraculous is related to, and has traditionally reinforced eschatological beliefs that the second coming of Jesus is imminent (Nel, 2015).…”

“…Pentecostal teaching has traditionally stressed that Jesus will return to earth in the near future and uses miracles perceived by Pentecostal groups as evidence that signals the end times era (Garneau & Schwadel, 2013; Nel, 2015). The Pentecostal emphasis on intense emotional encounters with the miraculous is related to, and has traditionally reinforced eschatological beliefs that the second coming of Jesus is imminent (Nel, 2015). Miracles and mystical happenings are perceived to take place precisely because “end times” are presently at hand.…”

“…Latinx students, in general, are prone to psychological stresses, identity crisis, and feeling like they are dislocated; being neither in one social world nor the other (Rendo ´n et al, 2014). Latinx Pentecostal students, in particular, confront challenges of liminality and separation anxiety when their unique spiritual world, traditionally inclined toward mysticism within enclaves (Beyerlein, 2004;Nel, 2015;Sánchez-Walsh, 2003), engages with campus social circles. Reflecting upon college information and their intersecting identities, the anxiety of being disconnected from their community churches, and the anxiety of losing support for both a minoritized Latinx identity and a marginalized religious identity, weighed heavily upon their college choices.…”

“…We selected three Latinx Pentecostal churches within the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. We define Latinx Pentecostal churches as Spanish or Portuguese-speaking worship spaces distinct from Latinx Charismatics spaces, where Pentecostal practices take place by groups who maintain their affiliation with Mainline Protestantism or Catholicism, and also distinct from Latinx Evangelical churches who are not aligned with Pentecostal practices and traditions (Beyerlein, 2004; Garneau & Schwadel, 2013). Pentecostal practices include speaking in tongues, prophesy rituals, emphasizing divine miracles, and engaging in dancing, shaking, or fainting when perceived to be under the influence of divinity (Garneau & Schwadel, 2013; Nel, 2015; Sánchez-Walsh, 2003, 2018). We chose locations specifically associated with a classical Pentecostal denomination as well as an independent church within the Pentecostal tradition.…”