Abstract
Pentecostal Contributions to Global Theology
Wolfgang Vondey, Beyond Pentecostalism: The Crisis of Global Christianity and the Renewal of the Theological Agenda (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2010. $32.00/£21.99. pp. 280. ISBN: 978-0-8028-6401-7).
In this provocative book, Wolfgang Vondey starts with the crisis of theology that scholars of different traditions see in the late modern world. He feels that Christian theology is too large, divided, rational and abstract to connect God with the pluralistic world that confronts us. What is needed is a global theology that extends contextual theology to the concerns and contexts of a global environment. In articulating such a theology, Pentecostalism is seen as playing a crucial role. Pentecostalism can serve as a catalyst for global theology particularly in the way it embodies key elements of the current crisis in that it embraces both unity and diversity. In contributing to such future global theology Pentecostalism will have to change as a result, hence the title of ‘Beyond Pentecostalism.’
Six elements of the crisis are examined in the book, with reference to Western historical and theological sources. Aspects of the Pentecostal experience and theology are brought into dialogue with these sources to suggest ways forward in Christian theology generally and for Pentecostals. Central to Vondey’s analysis is a perceived crisis of imagination in theology as reason is stressed, the answer to which is an exploration of dimensions of ‘play’ in theology. Play is seen as a way of expressing the ‘creative chaos’ of the Spirit in early Pentecostalism. Vondey then explores a crisis of revelation, a crisis of the creedal tradition in formulating doctrine, a crisis of the liturgy and a crisis of Christendom and its institutions. In each case ways forward are suggested from within a pentecostal approach to play that provides an imaginative integration of disciplines and of opposing tendencies in theology. Yet play is also in crisis and Vondey defends its use against contemporary critics and challenges Pentecostals to rediscover the play that has been lost through structuralization and routinization.
Beyond Pentecostalism is a clearly written and creatively suggestive book of interest to all involved in theological method. It highlights some of the key issues for the future that need to be addressed. Yet it is also paradoxical in its approach: suggesting ways for the future that build on the contextual with imagination and play for the global scene, whilst taking the form of a more abstract, reasoned and Western treatise. It does represent a play with Pentecostal traditions but the absence of indigenous reflections, narrative testimonies and imaginative symbols detracts from the argument. This important book forms a challenge to the general ways in which the theological task is currently undertaken and gives Pentecostal informed suggestions for the future.