Pentecostal Theology: A Theology of Encounter

Keith Warrington's attempt to homogenise Pentecostalism's many theological viewpoints is his noble but quite impossible quest. The movement has too many subsets to make it remotely achievable. But we should thank him for trying.Warrington's book is a compendium of Pentecostal views on most but not all subsets of systematic theology, with particular attention paid to those for which Pentecostalism is famous (e.g. healing, exorcism, the Holy Spirit and his gifts) and with nearly one third of its pages on how Pentecostals understand God. We may thereby observe the incredible and sometimes rather disconcerting diversity of thought within the movement, while picking out some of its consistent emphases and affirmations and noting the maturation of thought therein. This is the book's major contribution, which is why it may be a worthwhile addition to the libraries of pastors and theological institutions.However, Warrington does not engage in critical analysis of most of the points of view he canvasses. Indeed, some heterodoxies such as the Oneness Pentecostal view of God are reported quite uncritically. There are places within this work where he makes some useful proposals, but they do not appear to be located in anything but the broadest systematic scheme, they are asserted rather than argued, and there is little attempt to join them into a coherent whole. Mostly we are left either with outlines of ideas that Warrington has observed, or proposals concerning what Pentecostals believe based on his attempt to produce a consensus from the literature.The weaknesses of some areas of Pentecostal theology are also highlighted, though probably unintentionally. For example, only now are Pentecostal theologians beginning to give serious consideration to ecclesiology. Warrington notes, again uncritically, that many of the myriad systems of governance within Pentecostal denominations have developed for pragmatic reasons (p. 136). Warrington's reports on the efforts of a few Pentecostal scholars to develop a unique ecclesiology merely highlight how far they have still to go.Warrington's praxis arises from the presupposition that the God-encounter is the root stock of Pentecostal theology, hence the book's subtitle and the direction it takes. The assertion that "Pentecostals believe that the main purpose of the Bible is to help them develop their experience of and relationship with God..." (p. 188) typifies Warrington's outlook. However this immediately raises the question of where authority really lies. Warrington does not provide clear answers here, and the reader may be left with the impression that the subjective experience of a God-encounter is all it takes to get the right answers out of the Bible.To this reviewer, Warrington's attempt to ground theology on a platform as nebulous as subjective experience makes the whole work less than convincing. However, this is probably the point of greatest weakness in most Pentecostal theologies. Subjective experience, being by definition individualistic, and even when considered in the light of the Bible, is unlikely ever to provide a solid platform for systematic theology.

An excellent introduction to the distinctive aspects of Pentecostal theology. While other Pentecostal systematic theologies repeat what is the consensus of the Christian church at large, Warrington concentrates on the "distinctive elements of Pentecostal belief and praxis" (p.vii).Anyone wanting to be informed regarding Pentecostal theology but without buying another systematic theology, might find this book to be very helpful.

A great read! It explained the Pentecostal movement quite well and clearly defined Pentecostal Theology.

Excellent condition

This book is not what I needed. I will probably return this book.

Very informative. A great resource for Pentecostal theology.

Pentecostals have largely borrowed extensively from evangelical theology in the past but today there is a wealth of excellent Pentecostal scholarship. Keith Warrington is one of the new breed of Pentecostal scholars, who can also write for the popular audience. Warrington does not withold the punches when he needs to do so, and sometimes criticises Pentecostals (he is one!). The book follows the normal categories of a systematic volume but does so from a Pentecostal perspective. The reader is reminded that Pentecostalism is not so much about theologica head knowledge but about an encounter with God. But that encounter must be authentic and it can only be so when experience is based in Scripture.

Warrington takes an excellent look at the major issues of Pentecostal theology. His balanced approach is an excellent starting point for getting to grips with the complex issue of Pentecostalism. Well worth every penny especially for the serious student of the movement but also easy to read and understand.