The Implications of Pentecostal Religion for Intellectualism, Politics, and Race Relations

Abstract

The teaching of Pentecostal evangelist A. A. Allen are examined with reference to the relationship between Pentecostal religious thought and three areas of secular life. We find that the strict scripturalism and belief in miraculous healing sharply delimit the area of experience for which science is regarded as relevant. The eschatological teachings encourage withdrawal from political activities rather than the espousal of right-wing political views often imputed to fundamentalist Christian groups. Literal interpretation of the Bible and emphasis on spiritual criteria of personal worth result in a strong opposition, on strictly religious grounds, to racial segregation. The movement is analyzed in terms of the history of Pentecostal groups and inferences about the social composition of Allen's adherents. We conclude that the movement is primarily a religious solution to problems of illness, poverty, and status deprivation. These problems are conceived of in individualistic terms and solved in personalistic religious faith. Religious groups such as this ought not to be confused with quasi-political groups that mix general Christian beliefs with anti-Communism or segregation.