Peculiarities in the African Pentecostal tradition: disciplinal and decolonial perspectives

Abstract

The African Pentecostal tradition as a distinct movement within the Protestant tradition is discussed here from a disciplinal and a decolonial perspectives. The characteristics that inform this distinction are explored in order to show that Pentecostalism is part of the Protestant tradition but distinct from other streams within this tradition. In addition, the different types and streams that exist within the broader Pentecostal movement such as classical Pentecostalism, African Independent Pentecostalism, Newer Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches and prophetic Pentecostalism are highlighted to demonstrate peculiarities. These distinctions help not to generalise when addressing the challenges and weaknesses of a specific Pentecostal sub-tradition. However, it is these distinctions in Pentecostalism that enable both insiders and outsiders to engage in interdisciplinary study within theological disciplines and multidisciplinary study between theology and other disciplines. The distinctions in Pentecostalism assist African scholars to thoroughly engage in decolonial discourses within theological studies in order to highlight challenges and provide solutions. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: This article demonstrates that the peculiarities in the Pentecostal tradition and sub-traditions in Africa serve as an opportunity for an interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and transdisciplinary study of theology. In addition, these peculiarities – despite their challenges – are a trigger for the decolonisation of theological education and knowledge systems in South Africa and elsewhere in Africa.