Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen

Pentecostalism has been known much more for its religious experientialism than for its theology. During the past generation, however, Pentecostals have taken up the task of reflecting theologically from their experience of the Spirit of God. This book represents Pentecostal theology at its best, being thoroughly and unabashedly Pentecostal on the one hand, and yet being deeply ecumenical on the other. Within this dual Pentecostal and ecumenical framework, it offers Spirit-centered theological perspectives on the doctrine of the Church (ecclesiology), the doctrine of the salvation (soteriology), and the ministry and witness of Christians to the world (theology of mission). Toward a Pneumatological Theology is a sign that Pentecostal theology has come of age. It furthers the discussion of what it means to do Christian theology by starting with the Spirit of God, thereby demonstrating that Pentecostalism may indeed have something unique and distinctive to offer theologically to the larger Christian Church. At the same time, it will also be of interest to those who wish to begin understanding Pentecostalism on its own terms as well as to those who have followed closely the history and theology of the movement.

The Pentecostal Movement, currently the second largest Christian constituency after the Roman Catholic Church, is the most rapidly growing Christian movement in history. It has grown from zero to almost 500 million in one century. Pentecostals are known for energetic evangelism and mission. They are often accused of proselytism and the lack of social concern in their mission. The International Dialogue between Pentecostals and the Roman Catholic Church has dared to have another look at these vital issues affecting the rest of the Church. The fourth round (1990-1997) of the dialogue, started in 1972, focused on mission, proselytism and common witness. The present study, written at the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research (Collegeville, Minnesota, USA), under the mentorship of Kilian McDonnell, OSB, the co-founder and co-chair of the International Roman Catholic-Pentecostal dialogue, highlights the similarities and differences in mission and related issues between these two largest Christian families.