Beyond Pentecostalism: The Crisis of Global Christianity and the Renewal of the Theological Agenda

The Pentecostal Manifestos series aims to speak for and to a rising, outward-looking generation of Pentecostal scholarship. Written by both established and newly emerging scholars, the various "manifesto" volumes are to be creative statements, marked by rigorous theological scholarship, reflecting a distinctly Pentecostal engagement with wider themes and concerns in Christian thought today. In this Third Volume of the groundbreaking Pentecostal Manifestos series, Wolfgang Vondey proposes that Pentecostalism has a crucial role to play in one of Christianity's greatest tasks --- the formulation of a global theology. Vondey engages the social sciences, psychology, philosophy, and ritual and cultural studies as major dialogue partners as he addresses a postmodern theological crisis facing both the Pentecostal and the broader global community. The path forward, he argues, leads not only toward Pentecostal imagination and spirituality but also beyond it. Pentecostalism can supply a much-needed sense of "play" to theology and worship practices, helping the global Christian movement transcend its rational, performance-oriented, utilitarian, and institutionalized dimensions. Vondey's goal is a renewal of the theological landscape in light of the significance of Pentecostal voices, thoughts, and practices worldwide. "Vondey brings the spiritual and conceptual resources of the global Pentecostal movement to bear on the crises facing theology in the twenty-first century. The result is an intriguing discussion in which Pentecostalism is transcended and transformed as it helps to enrich a much larger conversation. A must-read for all those interested in how confessional theologies can flourish beyond their limits in service to others without losing their roots." Frank D. Macchia Vanguard University of Southern California