Want to Know WHY?

Christianity is a religion specifically based on the bible-based teachings of the man Jesus Christ. Pentecostalism is an offshoot that (historically) came about in the early 20th century, approximately 1904 during the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles. "One hundred years ago, a series of boisterous revival meetings in a converted stable on Azusa Street launched a global movement that overcame differences in class, gender and race to unite around the belief that the Holy Spirit still works miracles." Allen, Marshall (2006) Washington Post/ Religion News Services/ Saturday, April 15th, 2006 Page B09. Prior to this there were times when "praying" in tongues in a similar way to modern Pentecostal movement followers does occur. However it was during the Azusa Street Revival that it gained worldwide notoriety and was typed as a religion.

Interestingly Pentecostalism is different than many types of Christianity in that it teaches a revival of the Holy Spirit and also teaches the interpretation of such. It is a highly evangelical religion as well, and by virtue of its constant evangelism continues to grow as a branch of Christianity. Interestingly this type of Christianity tends to pass its "doctrine" on as an oral tradition, which by default enables it to flex and bend according to the time and place at which it (or those who believe in this way) find itself. Interestingly it is the actual theology (or lack thereof) that differentiates this sect from other Christian sects. They do not have a theological definition of faith, and for that matter do not normally have a declaration of faith. One major problem that can be seen with this type of belief is its inherent (almost need) to separate into different denominations, the constant fracturing of one church into too two or more is debilitating on the grand scale (in relation to the political power held by solid organizations, such as the Roman Catholic Church, and the National Methodist's etc. (Information used from the following referenced work.) Hollenweger, Walter (1998) Pentecostalism's Global Language/ Christianity Today, Inc./ Christian History Magazine/ Vol.XVII, No. 2, Page 42

I can delve into my own history as well as current and past conversations regarding the why's and what to for that exist in regards to this religious type. I followed this very religious type and pattern until I was approximately 19 years of age, and it took my moving and attending a local "Calvinistic" church to see that I needed to further research why, and what formed the religion I so staunchly followed. The following is a brief yet inclusive result of conversations I have had.

Recently I was able to speak to someone close to me regarding what they believe. For the purposes of anonymity I will not use their name, however I will relate what was discussed regarding beliefs, and stances. We will call this person Kayla for the sake of anonymity. When I sat down to speak with Kayla regarding her beliefs and stances regarding what she believed I was careful to not structure my interview to seem like an interview. I did however structure my questions to fulfill the needs of my research. The idea was to enable full responses without creating a negative air that would cause excess bias, either from myself or in the interviewee. This was accomplished to my satisfaction, and I feel will give us great results with this paper.

This person was not raised in the Christian faith (most specifically Pentecostalism) in fact this person was raised in a house where her father was a drunk, (this man is my grandfather) her mother disregarded all abuse and merely ignored what should have been approached. She had run away at least once and was pregnant by the age of 19. At this time she joined (the how is cloudy here) an organization called Daystar ministries, an evangelical/ Pentecostal organization that exists to this day. The purpose of this organization was the assistance of people in need, (mostly women) and usually of some "spiritual" affliction. Her entire approach to religion (Christianity) as she knows it has been modeled around what she was taught directly by this organization originally. She lived at one of the sites and raised her first son, (my older brother) eventually she moved to an alternate location in Illinois (Aurora) after meeting and marrying my father. During this and the following times myself and my brothers and sisters were born.

Shortly after this move occurred another separation happened that involved the "church" my mother attended. It split into too two entities and our family moved with it too a small town in Illinois. She continued to attend the local "church" and (we her family did as well). It was around 1985 that the "church" suffered yet another "break" and as a family we ended up following the "leader" of this organization too Arizona. The premise of being missionaries into Mexico would be at the forefront of this adventure. The most recent split occurred over "doctrinal" differences that included marrying without actually attaining a license from the state, as well as wide age differences involved with the marriage. The couple had slightly over 50 years separating them in age, over 3/4ths of the church as well as many in Aurora (with whom there was still communication) disagreed and decided that unless the church "leader" (he was the marrying party, older than the younger lady) stepped down, and garnered proper papers it would be assumed that he would leave as the church leader. The latter decision was made and he and my family as well as two other families moved as a result.

During the move, and ensuing "missionary" work the "leader" decided to step away from what he had started and basically walked out of the church and our lives. Contact was kept and my parents continued to follow his advice almost word for word at times. As I asked more of what had happened I was told that "the lord" had commanded most of it through "his" word and other "respected" elders of the church.

It was much later that many of the children moved away and began new lives, different than what had been originally taught. I asked her why she followed this religious type or branch. She simply stated that it was "exactly" what Jesus had taught. I asked her where this sect of Christianity had originated from and she stated that it had a direct line dating back to Jesus. During the course of going over the history I also asked how she heard God "speak" to her, and she explained that it was a small voice similar to our own conscience. I asked her if this was one and the same and she explained that it was the voice of either God or the evil one; That your conscience was merely this a voice. When asked to explain this further she stated that it just was, and that was enough. Her reasoning was that faith was the only truly necessary part of this relationship.

During our visit I asked if she had a regular place of worship and was told that this was unnecessary. I was also told that most churches (claiming Christianity) were not right, that this was the only right church. I asked if this was something that was taught in the Bible and it was explained that it was not necessary to have it always exactly outlined in the bible, that at times "new" revelation was necessary. In conclusion our "interview" ended with her insisting on praying for my salvation and a curt goodbye when I did not exhibit the signs of conversion immediately. Unfortunately the belief that exists with this person, does not allow her to accept that others might have different paths and beliefs as well.

Interestingly the differences between Pentecostalism and Armenianism or Calvinism or even Roman Catholicism are many, especially in doctrinal stances. Technically Pentecostalism is a form of Armenianism. Christianity is separated into two main branches Protestantism and Catholicism. Protestantism is separated into two major types as well, Armenianism and Calvinism. Pentecostalism is a smaller separation of Armenianism. (Without going too much further into the history and theological, actual separations of this monotheistic religion I will continue)

The theological differences occur in the translation and interpretation of what the bible states in regards to the Holy Spirit and the phrase "speaking in tongues". Originally the Pentecostal separation began as a representation of the day of Pentecost, or the day when many Christians began speaking in other "tongues" a translation of this passage leads one to see that these were actual languages and not gibberish with separate translation. (Passage taken from Acts 2:6-12 NKJ)

However it should be pointed out that the Pentecostal branch seems to believe that this gift of tongues is merely a "God" language and is indeed a true language just not one known to all men. The non-Armenian side (or Calvinistic side) tends to be far more orthodox and reserved in these regards. They feel (as a doctrinal surety most times) that speaking in "tongues" was merely a momentary ability placed upon those few that were Christians at the time. This ability enabled them to spread the word of God at a time when many people from many different countries were in attendance. Obviously as with many Christian beliefs this is something that is up for individual interpretation. I tend to (from a scholarly side) view this particular passage from the angle that the Calvinists have.

The benefits of Pentecostal thinking versus a more subdued Calvinistic thinking process, is that Pentecostalism is able to form and shape versus outside pressures, or societal adjustments. Its doctrines are largely oral in style, and as such easily varied. Interestingly enough it is these oral traditions that tend to cause strife between more orthodox churches and this branch. Many Calvinistic, and Orthodox churches are very rigid in doctrinal beliefs and traditions, they tend to have them written and rarely sway or change in any way. While the new age thinking that encompasses Pentecostal beliefs is very easily changed they rarely do as well. In some areas changes occur, such as women pastors, homosexuals (being allowed to attend and even teach). This has not changed the basic beliefs. That Jesus Christ lived, taught and died for humanities sins. This is a central core belief in Christianity, all branches.

In conclusion we see that while incredibly different in many ways, the core is still the same. Personally I can and have disagreed with how things are run in this religious type. I understand the attraction involved, as it allows one to keep many of their original habits, while still enabling them to continue on to "heaven". While a large majority of the rest of this religion (generally speaking Christianity) disagrees with how they practice the main message remains similar and in fact the actual core remains the same. My interviewee remains to this day a staunch believer in the power of the spoken word, or speaking in tongues. While I personally view this as a silly habit learned in "brainwashing" sessions called church meetings. I cannot deny that this person is largely at peace, and will most likely remain this way. So who is wrong and who is right? And is there really a need to differentiate between the two? I will continue to follow my research in this area with the idea that whether or not I find out who is right or not I will indeed gain better knowledge of the reasoning and actual messages involved with this belief style.

Allen, Marshall (2006) Washington Post/ Religion News Services/ Saturday, April 15th, 2006 Page B09. "Azusa Street Revival in the news"

Hollenweger, Walter (1998) Pentecostalism's Global Language/ Christianity Today, Inc./ Christian History Magazine/ Vol.XVII, No. 2, Page 42 "Basic beliefs of Pentecostals"