wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Pentecostal theologian challenges Presbyterians

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Note #7766 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Pentecostal theologian challenges Presbyterians
GA03077

Pentecostal theologian challenges Presbyterians

By Alexa Smith

DENVER, May 28 - A Pentecostal theologian invited Presbyterians to explore
opportunities for ministry in his tradition, and to engage Pentecostalism
with the kind of energy Protestants brought to their post-Vatican II
conversations with Catholics.

	David Daniels, a church history professor at McCormick Theological
Seminary in Chicago, said Presbyterians - with 500-plus years of history -
ought to be the "elder sister and brother" in the "ecumenical struggle" with
Pentecostals, who have much less history.
	
	Daniels spoke during the Assembly Ecumenical Breakfast Wednesday.

	He is involved in current dialogue between Reformed churches and
Pentecostals under the auspices of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches
(WARC), together with the Rev. Joseph Small of the PC(USA)'s Office of
Theology and Worship.

	"Use the relationships that emerged between Roman Catholic and
American Protestants in the post-Vatican II era as a model," he suggested. He
also urged Presbyterians to read Protestant theologians, such as ethicist
Robert Franklin and theologian Amos Young, and to read two periodicals - "The
Journal of Pentecostal Theology" and "The Asian Journal of Pentecostal
Studies."

	The energy that Protestants devoted to anti-Catholic sentiment in the
1960s could help Pentecostals now, he said, commenting that Penetcostals are
too often stereotyped.

	Daniels, a member of the Church of God in Christ, said that
Pentecostals hold a variety of attitudes toward ecumenism, ranging from
flat-out rejection to degrees of interaction with the wider church. He said
Penetcostals aren't seeking "mentor relationships" with Presbyterians, but
opportunities to explore mission opportunities in social justice.

	He said they're interested in acting as "one people on one planet."

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