A Pentecostal Lex Legendi For Fostering Polyphonic Perspectivalism in Pentecostal Tradition

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46567/ijt.v1i2.85

Keywords:

Pentecostalism, rule of reading, Trinity, sacred reading

Abstract

I begin this paper by surveying qualitative distinctives of Pentecostal Bible reading, which together contribute to the missional localizing giftedness of Pentecostalism worldwide. In Part 2 I then suggest that detrimentally incongruent to these distinctives are several Fundamentalist-Evangelical mediated postures to Scripture. In Part 3 I address this incongruence by proposing a Pentecostal lex legendi (“rule of reading”), built on Telford Work’s “Trinitarian-Ontology of Scripture.” I argue that Work’s bibliology provides a compelling theological premise for both the Pentecostal dynamic and polyvalent understanding of biblical revelation, and substantiates theological pluralism as intrinsic to Pentecostal tradition. Further building on Work’s bibliology, I then propose a Pentecostal form of lectio divina (“sacred reading”) that structures the classical/medieval fourfold Scripture sense, to a constructivist understanding of the threefold Pentecostal soteriological experiences (redemption, sanctification, and Spirit baptism). I conclude by delineating how this Pentecostal form of lectio divina may help Pentecostals identify and utilize theological hermeneutics that best foster the Pentecostal missiological giftedness, and hence the pluralizing of Pentecostalism(s) worldwide.

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Author Biography

Monte Lee Rice, Asia Pacific Theological Seminary

Monte Lee Rice is a Singapore based Pentecostal minister who has served on the pastoral staff of both mega and small churches in both the Assemblies of God and Anglican tradition. He has also ministered widely throughout West and East Africa. He graduated from Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (Baguio, Philippines) in 2002 with an M.Div. (summa cum laude, theology). He also has an M.A. in New Testament Studies from the Mennonite Brethren Bible Seminary (1986; Fresno, California, USA).

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Published

2013-12-30 — Updated on 2013-12-30

How to Cite

Rice, M. L. (2013). A Pentecostal Lex Legendi For Fostering Polyphonic Perspectivalism in Pentecostal Tradition . Indonesian Journal of Theology, 1(2), 17-51. https://doi.org/10.46567/ijt.v1i2.85