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Pentecostal Worldview
Write your answers to these questions:
- We have already talked a little bit about how, while classical Pentecostalism is typically defined in terms of denominational commitments and a common theological heritage, believers across the denominational spectrum testify to having received a Pentecostal experience, such as Spirit baptism or healing. Do you believe that Smith’s description of the Pentecostal worldview better characterizes Pentecostalism as a defined movement, or as a lived-out spirituality?
- Which of Smith’s 5 aspects of the Pentecostal worldview do you believe is most accurate in describing classical Pentecostalism? Which do you find the least accurate? Explain with reference to your own personal experience.
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2 Replies
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I am leaning towards Smith’s description of the Pentecostal worldview to be a lived-out spirituality. All of the principles which he describes have some basis in experience, which of course, comes from participating in our daily lives.
As a newer Christian, I find Principle 3 to be the most accurate aspect of Pentecostal Theology. I personally came to Christ after His work in the spiritual realm impacted me in the physical realm and healed me during a flare up with a chronic injury. I’ve seen the impacts of faith and healing, the impacts of faith and deliverance, the impacts of faith and conviction. There has been far too much experiential evidence in my life, and the lives of those around me that have been transformed, for me to dismiss the idea of divine healing and its power in our lives here on Earth.
In contrast, I have yet to really see Principle 2 thus far in my walk with Christ, and so I would say that it is the least accurate principle of the 5 listed. It’s not that I reject the idea of miracles or spiritual warfare or demonic oppression, but rather that I have yet to run into an illness or a difficult life situation that has not had an “earthly” explanation.
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- Smith definitely focuses on characterizing Pentecostalism as a lived-out spirituality.
- Which of Smith’s 5 aspects of the Pentecostal worldview do you believe is most accurate in describing classical Pentecostalism? Which do you find the least accurate? Explain with reference to your own personal experience. – I believe Smith is most accurate with his comments on Pentecostalism having a deep sense of expectation and an openness to surprise. I have rarely been in a Pentecostal Sunday service where a prayer, sermon, worship team comment, or spiritual word didn’t have a phrase like “You have your way God, move in our midst, do something new.” I think the least accurate is his second aspect; an enchanted theology of creation and culture. The Spirit operates within created order. This is not something that I would say of myself, but rather my experience with believers who are Pentecostal churches. I see a lot of doubt surrounding the things outside the church, and I see many believing the church is a “safe” place.
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