What Has Wittenberg to Do with Azusa?: Luther’s Theology of the Cross and Pentecostal Triumphalism

Global Pentecostalism is a twenty-first century phenomenon. Yet in North America, where the movement was born, it has stalled. Courey uncovers the cause of this plateau in the triumphalism that is characteristic of both North American Protestantism and Pentecostalism. Through the identification of parallels between Martin Luther and contemporary Pentecostals, Courey detects in Luther's Theology of the Cross a potent remedy for this tension. Utilising this insight, Courey reflects on other faith traditions, and provides a counterpoint to the triumphalism that inhibits the development of Pentecostalism in North America and around the world. This work comprises of three parts. The first is historical, charting the antecedents and development of Pentecostal triumphalism. The second is an experiment in historical theology, seeking basic resonances between Luther and early Pentecostals, and examining the Theology of the Cross as a means of probing Pentecostalism. The final section is an effort in constructive theology, applying the theologia crucis to some of the central aspects of Pentecostalism. (Publisher) Cover 1 Half-title 3 Title 5 Copyright 6 Contents 7 Preface 9 List of Abbreviations 12 Introduction: Evaluating Contemporary Pentecostalism 15 Part I: Probing the Pentecostal Problem: The Sources and Development of Pentecostal Triumphalism 35 1. ‘’Tis a Glorious Church’: Antecedents of Pentecostal Triumphalism 37 2. ‘Living on the Hallelujah Side’: The Emergence and Development of Pentecostal Triumphalism 85 Part II: Luther and the Theology of the Cross: Synthesizing a Resource for Pentecostal Theology 125 3. ‘The Spirit and the Gifts are Ours’: Luther’s Theology as Resource for Pentecostalism 127 4. ‘Where I First Saw the Light’: Luther’s Theology of the Cross as Pentecostal Resource 165 Part III: A Pentecostal Theology of the Cross: Listening to Luther with Pentecostal Ears 197 5. ‘Victory in Jesus’: A Pentecostal Theology of the Cross 199 6. ‘He Lives Within My Heart’: Pentecostal Triumphalism and the Theology of the Cross 229 Conclusion: The Value of this Study to the Church 271 Bibliography 273 Person Index 297 Subject Index 301 Copyright Acknowledgements 305