Standing at the Crossroads: The Battle for the Heart and Soul of Pentecostalism

Abstract

This address, delivered at the 40th annual meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies in Memphis, Tennessee (March 12, 2011), examines the present state of Pentecostalism and Pentecostal studies through an analogy with American indigenous blues music. Seeing Pentecostalism at a significant juncture, the address seeks to call Pentecostals and Pentecostal scholars to a consideration of what is essential to Pentecostal scholarship. Proposed is a conversational model of scholarship characterized by: 1) an openness to what the Spirit is saying and/or doing in other theologies or movements; 2) commitment to a Pentecostal way of doing theology in the Spirit; 3) interdisciplinary approaches; 4) a commitment to narrative and experience over dogma and proposition; and 5) an openness to hearing the visionary work of young scholars.