Christian Unity? The Opportunities and Challenges Raised by the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements

This article addresses the issue of Christian unity in relation to the Pentecostal and charismatic movements. Changing attitudes of Evangelicals and Pentecostals to ecumenism over the past century are noted, with a serious deterioration in the 1960s. Today there is a new situation. These movements have become larger and more influential, especially in the ‘global south’.These movements have contributed to a greater awareness of the Holy Spirit and have challenged the rationalistic reductionism of the Gospel opening the Churches to a more holistic vision.The article closes with a series of challenges to these movements, biblical, pastoral and theological.