Charisma and Structure in the Assemblies of God
Charisma and Structure in the Assemblies of God
Theoretical Overview
This chapter outlines the major theoretical guideposts used to frame the presentation of empirical data. It introduces sociologist Thomas O'Dea's theory concerning the development of charisma and his positing of five institutional dilemmas to its maintenance. This theory has been modified to contribute to the present account of revitalization in the American Assemblies of God (AG). The chapter posits that what the brilliant but little-known sociologist Pitirim Sorokin has called “love energy” is driving the revitalization process in a theoretical model of Godly Love. Recognizing that emergent institutional forces tend to stifle charisma, this model suggests that charisma can be revitalized by perceived experiences of divine love, which in turn energize acts of human love. The chapter also employs the work of philosopher Rolf Johnson on the “faces of love” to refine the concept of love and its relationship to the charismatic gifts and Spirit baptism (often called the “baptism of love”) that are the hallmarks of pentecostalism.
Keywords: Thomas O'Dea, charisma, Assemblies of God, love energy, Godly Love, Rolf Johnson, Pentecostalism, Pitirim Sorokin
NYU Press Scholarship Online requires a subscription or purchase to access the full text of books within the service. Public users can however freely search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter.
Please, subscribe or login to access full text content.
If you think you should have access to this title, please contact your librarian.
To troubleshoot, please check our FAQs, and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us.
