Historical Background
Part 2
Let's Look Back
Does the New Testament’s vision of a church composed of every tribe, people and nation, characterized by gender and ethnic diversity, often seem elusive in our contemporary society?
As difficult a challenge that racial reconciliation might seem to be in 2022, in the early 20th century the challenge was even more severe, with racial segregation still the law of the land in much of North America, particularly in the Southern United States.
Today’s lecture video, however, will discuss how the leadership of the Azusa Street Revival anticipated the kingdom of God by intentionally emphasizing how the gift of the Spirit had been poured out on all people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or social status. A core element of the Pentecostal worldview, according to Jamie Smith, is a preferential option for the poor, a belief that clearly impacted early Pentecostal theology and practice. As you watch, consider how Azusa Street’s unique historical context might have given rise to some of the theological distinctives that emerged from it.
Beautiful Diversity
The racial diversity of the Azusa Street Revival directly impacted how Pentecostals understood God’s purposes in the world. The fact that all participants shared in the one Spirit – women and men, minorities and white folks – caused them to view the world in radically different terms than many white Christians of the early 20th century who assumed that racial segregation and gender hierarchy were not only permissible, but God-ordained and therefore necessary.
Reflect on these questions:
- Although Charles Parham and William Seymour shared more or less the same doctrine of Spirit baptism, insofar as the issues of subsequence and the initial evidence of speaking in tongues, Seymour and the Azusa leadership came to radically different conclusions about the implications of Spirit baptism than Parham. Why do you believe this was so?
- Do you believe that contemporary Pentecostalism, overall, has honoured the legacy of Azusa in its theology and practice? Does your answer change depending on whether the question concerns the entire globe, or North America alone?
Test Yourself
Answer
You Did it!
Congratulations on finishing this lesson!
If you feel like you are ready to take a quiz to review what you have learned in this lesson, go on to the next step. Otherwise, it might be a good idea to review the last few topics again.