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OCLC number
796917597
Link(s) to full text
LAC copy
LAC copy
Author
Neumann, Peter D.(Peter Donald),1968-
Title
Encountering the Spirit :Pentecostal mediated experience of God in theological context.
Degree
Ph. D. -- University of St Michael's College, 2010
Publisher
Ottawa :Library and Archives Canada = Bibliothèque et Archives Canada,[2011]
Description
4 microfiches
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
<?Pub Inc> This study explores the appeal to experience of God within Pentecostalism, with a view to demonstrating how a more mediated understanding of such experience is factoring into the maturation of Pentecostal theology in general. The appeal to experience functions significantly in contemporary Christian theology, and particularly within Pentecostalism, where experience of the Spirit is typically viewed as being a direct (unmediated) transformative encounter, and which shapes Pentecostal theological understanding. While Pentecostals have also been willing to view Scripture as a mediation of the Spirit, they have been less apt to view other traditionally understood media - namely, the Christian theological tradition and 'reason' - as Spirit-inspired resources for theological construction. Maturation within Pentecostal theology is becoming evident, however; exemplified in a growing openness among Pentecostals to a more mediated understanding of experience of the Spirit. In particular, this study investigates the works of three Pentecostal theologians - Frank D. Macchia, Simon K. H. Chan, and Amos Yong - who are demonstrating an ability to revision key elements of Pentecostal theology by integrating an appreciation for the mediated nature of experience with the Spirit. This is accomplished by exploring how one of the three traditional media (Scripture/Word, tradition, and 'reason') is being accented in each of these Pentecostals' theologies of experience of the Spirit: Macchia accenting Scripture/Word, Chan tradition, and Yong 'reason.' Moreover, as a sign of their theological maturity, and to demonstrate their ability to contribute to broader Christian theology, the three Pentecostals are placed in dialogue with eight other theologians representing Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant traditions. These dialogue partners include: Yves Congar, Elizabeth A. Johnson, Donald L. Gelpi, Vladamir Lossky, Sergius Bulgakov, Jûrgen Moltmann, James H. Cone, and Robert W. Jenson. To facilitate this discourse, the theology of experience of each of these 'partners' is briefly analyzed and located on a 'continuum of experience' proposed by George P. Schner. Overall, the integration of a more mediated concept of experience of the Spirit enables Macchia, Chan and Yong to revision Pentecostal theology in fresh ways and contribute to Christian theology in general, thus exhibiting a maturation within Pentecostal theology.
ISBN
9780494688601
0494688602
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