a contextual missiology of the spirit - eTheses Repository ...

states, ‘for Pentecostals, theology arises from reflection on experience.’ 45 The
strength of a contextual Pentecostal missiology is that it is flexible, enabling it to
change under the guidance of the Spirit and in the light of changing situations. In
order to make a theological reflection for contextual missiology of the Spirit, ‘the
Spirit-Text-Community’, the triad of sources as proposed by Kenneth Archer and
John Thomas while developing a Pentecostal Hermeneutics, will be used. 46 As
Cartledge observes, while discussing Pentecostal theological method to relate it to
intercultural theology, all these ‘three sources are expected to work together in
order to generate theological reflection and inform ecclesial decisions in relation
to missiological praxis.’ 47
6.2.1. Pneumatological Missiology
There has been a tendency to neglect pneumatology in mission studies. According
to Pomerville, since ‘mission theory is inconsistent with mission practice,’
contemporary missiology reveals ‘pneumatological gaps in mission theology.’ 48
Several decades ago, missiologists like Roland Allen and Allan Tippet identified
the dearth of missiological investigation into the important dimension of the Holy
Spirit in mission. According to Allen, ‘our concept of the work of the Holy Spirit
has been almost confined to the revelation of truth, of holiness, of church
government and order. Missionary work as an expression of the Holy Spirit has
received such slight and casual attention that it might almost escape the notice of a
45 Stephen E. Parker, Led by the Spirit: Toward a Practical Theology of Pentecostal Discernment
and Decision Making, JPTS Series, 7 (Sheffield: SAP, 1996), 10.
46 Kenneth J. Archer, A Pentecostal Hermeneutic for the Twenty-First Century: Spirit, Scripture
and Community (London: T & T Clark International, 2004). See pp.156-96.
47 Cartledge, ‘Pentecostal Theological Method,’ 94.
48 Pomerville, Third Force, 130.
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