A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

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A History of Christian Doctrine this number said they would reach heaven because of their good works or because everyone goes to heaven. • 48% of church attendees considered themselves born again. • 58% of those holding church leadership positions considered themselves born again. • 15% of those holding church leadership positions said they had never made a personal commitment to Christ. Evangelicals and Oneness Pentecostals Trinitarian Pentecostals consider themselves to be Evangelicals even though the Pentecostals arose primarily from the Holiness movement while the Evangelical movement was a development from Fundamentalism, which rejected the Pentecostal movement. As we discussed in chapter 5, this self-identification has been a significant influence in changing Pentecostals. For better or worse, it appears that the “evangelicalization” of Trinitarian Pentecostals will continue. What about Oneness Pentecostals? Are they Evangelicals? If we examine the distinctive doctrines that Evangelicals proclaim in contrast to Roman Catholicism and Protestant Liberalism, then Oneness Pentecostals would indeed appear to be Evangelicals. Some Evangelical cult-hunting organizations have argued that they are not, however, because of their distinctive doctrines of the Godhead and salvation, and therefore label them as a cult. Ironically, in making this claim, the cult hunters appeal to “historic orthodoxy” and the creeds, sounding more like Catholics than Protestants. J. L. Hall, editor in 224

Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism chief of the UPCI, has examined their criteria in light of Scripture and has shown that on this basis the Oneness Pentecostals are more truly Evangelical than the mainstream Evangelicals. 250 Oneness Pentecostals should resist the efforts of those who label them a cult. (See appendixes C and D.) First, it is a prejudicial label designed to thwart a sincere examination of Scripture. Second, as the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology notes, it plays into the hands of secularists who would curtail religious freedom for everyone. 251 At the same time, Oneness Pentecostals should be cognizant of their unique theological identity. They should resist “evangelicalization” but should affirm that in the light of Scripture they are indeed the most evangelical believers in the truest sense of the word. As the motto of the UPCI proclaims, they believe in proclaiming “the whole gospel to the whole world.” 225

A <strong>History</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Christian</strong> <strong>Doctrine</strong><br />

this number said they would reach heaven because<br />

<strong>of</strong> their good works or because everyone goes to<br />

heaven.<br />

• 48% <strong>of</strong> church attendees considered themselves<br />

born again.<br />

• 58% <strong>of</strong> those holding church leadership positions<br />

considered themselves born again.<br />

• 15% <strong>of</strong> those holding church leadership positions<br />

said they had never made a personal commitment<br />

to Christ.<br />

Evangelicals and Oneness Pentecostals<br />

Trinitarian Pentecostals consider themselves to be<br />

Evangelicals even though the Pentecostals arose primarily<br />

from the Holiness movement while the Evangelical<br />

movement was a development from Fundamentalism,<br />

which rejected the Pentecostal movement. As we discussed<br />

in chapter 5, this self-identification has been a significant<br />

influence in changing Pentecostals. For better or<br />

worse, it appears that the “evangelicalization” <strong>of</strong> Trinitarian<br />

Pentecostals will continue.<br />

What about Oneness Pentecostals? Are they<br />

Evangelicals? If we examine the distinctive doctrines that<br />

Evangelicals proclaim in contrast to Roman Catholicism<br />

and Protestant Liberalism, then Oneness Pentecostals<br />

would indeed appear to be Evangelicals. Some Evangelical<br />

cult-hunting organizations have argued that they<br />

are not, however, because <strong>of</strong> their distinctive doctrines <strong>of</strong><br />

the Godhead and salvation, and therefore label them as a<br />

cult. Ironically, in making this claim, the cult hunters<br />

appeal to “historic orthodoxy” and the creeds, sounding<br />

more like Catholics than Protestants. J. L. Hall, editor in<br />

224

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