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James Dunn’s Theology of the Charismatic Community An Evaluation and Its Implications for the Contemporary African Church

Theology

By Bernard Kimani, PhD

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  1. Introduction
  2. Conclusion
  3. References

Abstract

In Jesus and the Spirit, James D. G. Dunn describes the earliest Christian congregations as charismatic communities: bodies in which the gracious activity of the Spirit was experienced, not merely believed, and found expression in a diversity of gifts exercised for the good of all. This paper summarises Dunn’s account of the Spirit, grace and charisma, evaluates the vision of the church that emerges from it, and offers a critical analysis of his views on speaking in tongues, on the relationship between charisma and sanctification, and on the charismatic standing of every member. It then compares Dunn’s vision with the author’s experience of pastoral ministry, in which spiritual gifts have too often been personalised and have become occasions of division rather than unity. Seven implications follow for the contemporary African church: the need to balance faith and reason, charisma and character, and spontaneity and order; to encourage every believer to exercise his or her gifts; to integrate natural talent with spiritual gifting; to bridge the divide between the sacred and the secular; and to restore genuine fellowship in an age of virtual church.

Who this is for

Believers discerning how to exercise spiritual gifts; Ministers addressing division over gifts in a congregation

What this resource helps you explore

Understanding the Role of the Holy Spirit in the Church

Resource details

Format
Paper · PDF
Subject
Theology
Learning level
Multi-level

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