Pentecostal Discussions

Princess Theology - part I

by Jacqui Grey

Once upon a time…these words evoke a plethora of images of beautiful princesses in a fairytale existence; from Disney’s Cinderella to the warrior princess variety in the mould of Xena and Lord of Ring’s Eowen to Princess Diana and more recently, Mary (the fairytale dream incarnate). Each figure represents a young and beautiful woman who captivates hearts (and a prince) complete with to-die-for wardrobe. Although they live in a palace, they are not ignorant of the suffering of others or immune from their own inner turmoil. It is this fairytale image that has captivated Pentecostal women as they attempt to contextualise Christianity within the contemporary Australian context. Conference brochures splash tiaras and glitter across their pages as they call for the uniting of the ‘daughters of the king.’ However the question must be raised whether the adoption of princess imagery from Western society to promote Pentecostalism is helpful to women.

Onward and Upward

What a fascinating discussion on Pentecostals and ecology - thankyou Shane and all our commenters :) It will be interesting to see how the paper is received when Dr Clifton delivers it in Korea next week.

While we will be continuing to look at ways we can implement ecotheology at SCC, the blog is moving onward and upward. Mark Hutchinson is in Korea at the moment, so we now have the privilege of interacting with the ideas of Dr Jacqui Grey on Pentecostals and Princess theology. Stay tuned for some royal-class discussion!!

Random Interlude

by Shane Clifton

Mark Hutchinson is about to commence the next series of posts, on the topic of pentecostal identity.  While we get him set up, i have come accross a brilliant extract from an episode of the simpsons dealing with evolution and creationism.  Whatever your view on this topic, this episode is funny.

http://onegoodmove.org/1gm/1gmarchive/2006/05/the_simpsons_an.html

Pentecostals and Ecology - part 4

by Shane Clifton

We need to note in the conclusion to this series that theological reflection about ecotheology represents only a small componant of a full-blown ecotheology.  Beyond the transformation of the culture of pentecostalism is the task of infusing its social structures with an ecological ethos.  There is also the need to address the very practical questions relating to the identification of environmental issues (what actually are the global and local problems facing the earth) and deciding how the church can participate in their healing.  Answers to these questions entail much more than theological reflection, but requrie broad dialogue with scientists, politicians, environmentalists etc.  It will also be necessary to work out how to translate global ecological concerns into the practical mission of the local church.  The task is potentially overwheliming, but a church empowered by the Spirit sees, not impossibility, but the premonition of God's possibility (citing Lyle Dabney).

Pentecostals and Ecology Part 3

by Shane Clifton

I am going to conclude this first series on Pentecostals and Ecology with a brief discussion (below) on the implications of the movement’s soteriology for its ecological ethos. As your excellent replies to my previous posts have indicated, there are many other topics that might be discussed, some of which I have addressed in the full paper I am delivering in Korea. These include a discussion of healing, baptism in the Spirit, eschatology and prosperity, and their implications for ecotheology. Those wanting to see a copy of the full paper can email my assistant, Joohee Lee, at jh.lee@scc.edu.au. In my next post I want to move from theology to practice – and get you all to suggest some practical ways in which Southern Cross College might model an ecological ethos. But first, let’s think about the implications of the declaration, “Jesus saves.”

Pentecostal Soteriology and Ecology:

One of the major reasons for the failure to develop an ecological theology is (as a number of people have suggested in response to my previous posts) that Pentecostals tend to understand salvation solely, or at least primarily, in relation to salvation of the human soul.

Pentecostals and Ecology Part 2

by Shane Clifton

Eschatology is only one aspect of Pentecostalism’s theology of creation, which is often framed at the other end of history with six day, young earth creationism. This understanding of creation finds its theological impetus in literalistic readings of the Scripture, but it finds its emotional support in the affirmation of the uniqueness of humankind; the complete distinction between intelligent humanity and the “dumb” ape.  Without wishing to enter into the hermeneutical and scientific debates surrounding this fundamentalist understanding of the beginnings of the universe, the ecological problem relates to the explicit setting of humanking above nature.

Pentecostals and Ecology - part 1

by Shane Clifton

For the last two years, Southern Cross College and Hansei University (associated with Dr Yonggi Cho) have joined together for an Aussie/Korean theological symposium.  Last year the Korean professors travelled to Australia, and in the first week of June this year Mark Hutchinson, Bruce Stevens, David Kwon and myself get to travel to Korea.

Hansei set the topic this year; Pentecotals and Ecology, and I must confess to some degree of surprise and anxiety. My first thought was that such a topic would be impossible – what more is there to say but that Pentecostals have not really expressed any interest in environmental matters? I almost suggested a change of topic, but ended up deciding not to take the cowards way out. After all, how would I deal with my conscience if I refused to consider such an important topic. So, I have drafted a paper, and I thought that, over the next few weeks, I might share a few sections, and get your comments and feedback to see whether I can develop it further. Below is an extract from my introductory section – more will follow