Details for Pentecostal/Charismatic Hermeneutics

This unit orients students to the development of hermeneutical theory in general, and the discussion of specific methodologies consistent with reading community of the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.   

The unit Pentecostal/Charismatic Hermeneutics is part of the subject area Theology and is offered as a part of the following Awards: Master of Arts (Christian Studies) (Alphacrucis College (NSW Dept. of Education)).

Unit Content

Curriculum Objective

At the successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

• demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the development of hermeneutical theory within the broader history of philosophical and theoretical thought;
• critically describe the contemporary Pentecostal and charismatic movements, and the implications of this ethos for hermeneutical theory;
• describe current reading approaches and hermeneutical method(s) with Pentecostal and Charismatic scholarship. Compare this with current populist reading approaches;
• locate the approaches of  Pentecostal and charismatic movements within the broader philosophical tradition;
• critically apply the principles of hermeneutics to the interpretation of the biblical text. 

Subject Content

1. Introduction to hermeneutics and the philosophical tradition.
2. Overview of Pentecostal and charismatic movements in relation to reading approaches of the community
3. Main hermeneutical theories developed by Pentecostal and charismatic scholars in the current context
4. Comparison to populist approaches, as analysed through case studies of sermons.
5. Location of these approaches in the philosophical tradition;
Exegesis of selected passages utilising methods discussed above. 

Assessment Methods

Critical reflection, class presentaiton, minor essay, major essay.

Representative References

Grenz, S. Beyond Foundationalism.  Louiseville, KY: WJK, 2001.

Ellington, Scott. “Pentecostalism and the Authority of the Scripture”, Journal of Pentecostal Studies 9 (1996): 16-38.

Jensen, A.S. Theological Hermeneutics. London: SCM, 2007.

Land, S. Pentecostal Spirituality. Sheffield: Sheffield Academic, 1993.

Leitch, V.B., et al. The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2001.

Martin, M.  Pentecostalism: The World Their Parish. Oxford: Blackwell, 2002.

McQeen, L. Joel And The Spirit: The Cry Of A Prophetic Hermeneutic. Cleveland: CPT, 2009.