A Comment on the Contemporary Pentecostal Pneumatology

A Comment on the Contemporary Pentecostal Pneumatology

Benedict HB KWOK

This article consists of four main parts: 1) A dialogue between two Pentecostal scholars – Roger Stronstad, Robert P. Menzies – and James DG Dunn; 2) A dialogue between some Pentecostal scholars and Max Turner; 3) A discussion of whether Pauline Pneumatology is exclusively soteriological in nature; 4) A discussion of how the Holy Spirit works in the spiritual life of Christians.

The aim of this article is to examine contemporary Pentecostal Pneumatology from an ecumenical perspective. Roger Stronstad and Robert Menzies argue that Pentecostal Pneumatology is based on the Spirit of Prophecy in Luke-Acts. This Spirit of Prophecy empowers the church for mission but does not have soteriological implication. James DG Dunn and Max Turner agree that the main focus of the Pneumatology in Luke-Acts is the Spirit of Prophecy. However, they challenge the notion that this Spirit of Prophecy has no soteriological dimension. Max Turner points out that both the Spirit of Prophecy and the Soteriological Spirit in the Pauline Epistles refer to the same Spirit. In agreement with such a balanced understanding of Pauline Pneumatology, the author proposes an analysis of the functions of the Holy Spirit in three areas: 1) The Holy Spirit works through the sacred Word; 2) The Holy Spirit works through the sacraments; 3) The Holy Spirit works through the union of Christians with God. In conclusion, such an ecumenical perspective enables us to better appreciate Pentecostal Pneumatology and deepens our understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit.