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The Evangelical Impact
Share your thoughts regarding these questions:
- If you are a Pentecostal, do you consider yourself an evangelical? If you are non-Pentecostal, would you consider Pentecostals to be evangelical? Explain why or why not you find the term to be accurate and/or an appropriate designation.
- In your opinion, has the increasing convergence between the evangelical and Pentecostal movements since the latter's emergence in the early 1900's been a positive or negative influence upon Pentecostalism?
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1 Reply
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I do consider myself to be both Pentecostal and an evangelical, but the emphasis is on the former and not the latter. I do believe in maintaining Pentecostal distinctives and taking a less regimented, more dynamic and fluid approach to Christianity. I also find “Evangelical” to be sort of an intimidating term because of the social and political connotations surrounding it.
I think that the relationship between Pentecostalism and Evangelism is essentially a double-edged sword. While it is true that the dilution of classical Pentecostalism may be occurring in some sense, it’s also important for us to continue to grow in our faith and seek the truth, and sometimes that includes growing and changing. To me, this is where discernment comes in. This is where we lean on the Scriptures and consult with the Father rather than placing all of our emphasis on the importance of man-made denominations.
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