Book dossier

Pentecostalism

by O. Talmadge Spence

This is the alternative history of Pentecostalism from within the movement by a third generation leader. From the beginning there were two streams - the respectable godly Bible-based ministries and those who sought unusual phenomena to the neglect of Scripture study and holiness. While modern histories see Azusa Street as the seminal event, to the older generation of Pentecostal leaders represented by O. Talmadge Spence Azusa Street was an aberration. Then post WWII a new stream of wonder working healers and miracle workers emerged with their man-centred ministries - again this was a departure from the traditions and values of the older more mature Pentecostalism. Then came the Charismatic Movement of the 1960s that built on the earlier aberrations and sought credibility by identifying with what happened at Azusa Street and the man-centred ministries. This new phenomena gave only superficial respect to the teaching of Scripture, often taking texts out of context as a pretext. This the writer contrasts with the original emphasis was Spirit empowered God centred Biblical Preaching and Holiness to which Pentecostal phenomena were incidental not central. This led the writer to move from Pentecostalism to Fundamentalism and to establish Foundations Bible College to prepare a new generation to carry on the Biblical Faith.