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Pentecostal ecclesiology is an important developing area of research and David Morgan provides a significant study of elements within two Australian pentecostal churches. The theological method of Nicholas Healy is helpfully examined and adapted for pentecostal usage in constructing a “practical-prophetic” ecclesiology. Healey has argued that there is a need for “concrete” ecclesiologies that focus on the church as it is, rather than “blueprint” ecclesiologies that present idealised accounts of the church. This is an approach that is prophetic in the sense of being self-critical of practices and represents a kind of practical theology, here relying more on narrative themes within literature rather than interviews. It is a helpful approach to put alongside Shane Clifton’s more historical-narrative practical study of Australian pentecostalism. Developing some of the ideas of Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, Morgan understands pentecostal identity as characterised by the priesthood and prophethood of believers. These terms are explored in relation to their historical doctrinal understanding as well as the practices of contemporary pentecostalism. The two particular practices of worship and contemporary prophesy are selected for more detailed study. Worship is studied within the Hillsong churches which have influenced other churches around the world. The words of songs, audio-visual teaching material, and books are examined to suggest theological strengths and weaknesses. Morgan suggests that Hillsong worship encourages individual mysticism rather than communal spiritual gifts; that evangelism is envisioned and yet there is little cognitive content in the worship to this end; and that the worship is syncretic in its selective use of the pentecostal tradition and surrounding culture. In the light of this Morgan suggests a reforming of the theology and practices of pentecostal worship by relating worship to the whole of life, regaining an intimate focus on God, and emphasising the communal nature of worship. Contemporary prophesy receives a short study in relation to the Christian City Church, based on audio and video tapes and personal testimony. Morgan finds that such prophesy tends to affirm the status quo, unlike Old Testament prophesy, and there is a need for greater discernment and critical approaches. Both worship and prophesy are situated for Morgan within a proposed trinitarian pentecostal ecclesiology that appears surprisingly like a normative “blueprint,” if one worthy of further reflection. Overall this is an interesting but limited study that contributes to our understanding of pentecostal worship and ecclesiology. It is a largely unedited PhD dissertation that was submitted in 2007 and hence neglects the significant pentecostal studies of ecclesiology done since which would challenge some of the assumptions made. Whilst it is important for pentecostals to engage with the approach of Healy this study left the reviewer unconvinced of its value, given that the results seem rather “blueprint” in their form. Worship and prophesy remain key to pentecostal ecclesiology and this study opens up new avenues of research in theology and practice.
Pneuma – Brill
Published: Jan 1, 2012
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