World Religions and the Great Commission Symposium

On February 27, 2010, I attended the World Religions and the Great Commission Symposium. Regent University's own, Katy Attanasi Ph.D., undergraduate professor of religious studies, moderated the morning presentation of papers. The papers presented discussed the question, how should charismatic Christianity respond to other word religions? and included four speakers.

The first presenter was Dr. Tony Richie, pastor of Church of God in Knoxville, Tennessee and Adjunct Professor at Pentecostal Theological seminary. He discussed inclusivism and the responding perspectives. He mentioned that the Spirit, or the move of the Holy Spirit as evidenced at Pentecost, should never be limited by the Word and is exhibited by “a close work between the Spirit’s work in our hearts and the Spirit’s work in creation.” In closing, he left the audience with the acronym NEWS which suggests that Christianity should (N) nuance our understanding of humanity’s spiritual experience, (E) emphasize evangelism and proclamation dialogue, (W) welcome fresh visionary venues and be open to what God is doing today.

Following Dr. Richie was Dr. Stevens Studebaker, Assistant professor of Systematic and Historical Theology and Howard and Shirley Bentall Chair in Evangelical Thought at McMaster Divinity College. He discussed the problem that Pentecostal theology often maintains a negative theology of other religions in its commitment to missionary ventures. He said that it is natural for humans to want to segregate the Holy Spirit is into residing in one location but not another. He also mentioned that religion is a “mixed bag” of the work of the Holy Spirit (as exhibited at Pentecost) and the way human response to the move of the Spirit.

Kirsteen Kim, lecturer at Leeds Trinity University College, spoke on theologies of religious pluralism. She discussed a case study of the Dalit in India who are stratified at the bottom of the Indian caste system as they pursue jobs in sweeping and tanning leather. Among the Dalit, a new religion is developing which academics are studying. Kim discussed that India has been the main scenery for inter-religious dialogue and the classification of “spirits” or spiritual forces has been a topic of much discussion. Kim argued that Christians must affirm “life” as a spiritual force as emerging from a Christological nature. She also discussed how Pentecostalism has the flexibility to embrace plurality but not necessarily pluralism. A pluralist correctly understands each and every manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

The final morning presenter was Veli-Matti Karkkainen, who discussed notions of suffering in Buddhism and Christianity. The conclusion was that suffering between these two religions differ. One such difference is that in Buddhism suffering is a result of individual activity. In Christianity, suffering can be a result of the wrong doing of others. Another difference is that Buddhists often refrain from intervening in human suffering whereas Christians are urged to intervene. Karkkainen also mentioned that Pentecostalism fails to often communicate the loving-kindness and compassionate picture of Jesus Christ and should improve in this area.

The symposium was enjoyable and dense. The approach to Pentecostal Christianity in the 21^st century is different than ever before. As Kristeen Kim said, “Uniformity is imperialist.” The attempt to conform the world to Christianity is becoming out-dated. A mutual respect of similarities and differences among world religions is necessary and the best attitude possible. This was a unique discussion to attend especially considering the religious roots and pentecostal nature of Pat Robertson, the founder of Regent University.