PENTECOSTALISM: EVALUATING A PHENOMENON

by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

Before entering on the formal presentation, I think it will be useful to first clarify some possible sources of misunderstanding.

The immediate focus of this study is Pentecostalism. It is not directly concerned with the persons who call themselves Pentecostals or, as some prefer, Charismatics.

Moreover, the purpose here is to make an evaluation. It is not to impart information about Pentecostalism, since such information is fairly presumed, with all the literature by and about the movement and, for many people, either personal experience or direct observation of the movement in action.

Finally, though I seldom do this when speaking, in this case it may be useful to give a brief run-down of “references” about the speaker’s own qualifications in talking on the subject.  (more...)

Pentecost, Pentecostalism, Nominalism, and the Holy Spirit