PENTECOSTAL-CHARISMATIC CHRISTIANITY IN KERALA: A SOCIO-HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF ITS TRANSITION AND TRANSFORMATION
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Date
2019
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DEPARTMENT OF ADVANCED THEOLOGICAL STUDIES SAM HIGGINBOTTOM UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, TECHNOLOGY & SCIENCES, PRAYAGRAJ, U.P., INDIA
Abstract
The thesis entitled Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Kerala: A Socio-
Historical Analysis of Its Transition and Transformation seeks to investigate the
research problem of whether the social context and the socio-historical factors have
contributed towards the transition and transformation of Pentecostal-Charismatic
Christianity in Kerala or not. The Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity began in
Kerala in 1909 from a revival movement among a group of Christians in central
Kerala. Later it became a prominent people movement or a socio-religious
movement within the history of Christianity in Kerala in the last century. From a
small revival movement among a group of Christians to widely noted Pentecostal-
Charismatic denominations, this movement has transcended and emerged to become
an active and influential Christian community in Kerala. Despite the significant
presence of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Kerala society, its history stands
neglected in the annals of Christianity in Kerala, and there is a lack of attention paid
to the social context and factors, which contributed to the transition of Pentecostal-
Charismatic Christianity in Kerala. It is significant to note that the history of the
transition and transformation of Pentecostal- Charismatic Christianity has not been
the primary focus of the writers of the history of Christianity in Kerala or the
Pentecostal historians who brought out the accounts of the history of Pentecostal
denominations. Therefore, a study on the history of the transition of Pentecostal-
Charismatic Christianity seems integral to the history of Christianity in Kerala.
The thesis consists of five chapters excluding the Introduction and
Conclusion. The Introductory part deals with Statement of the Problem, Elaboration
of the Problem, Objectives of the Research, Scope and Limitations, Methodology,
Sources of Study, and Structure of the Thesis. Chapter One reviews the publications
and sources in the area of research. It indicates how the present research differs from
all previous research works. Chapter Two attempts to trace the socio-historical
background of the formation and development of Pentecostal-Charismatic
Christianity in Kerala. The objective here is to explore the social and spiritual
environment or social and spiritual contexts of the adherents of Pentecostal-
Charismatic Christianity in Kerala. Chapter Three explains the ecclesiastical and the
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spiritual background, and the history of the first phase of Pentecostal-Charismatic
Christianity in Kerala from 1909 to 1922. It covers the various efforts of
missionaries from America‘s Azusa Street mission to establish Pentecostal
denominations in Kerala with its institutionalized form and Classical Pentecostalism
by the emphasis on doctrines. Chapter Four describes the history of the second phase
of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Kerala from 1923 to 1976. It reveals the
remarkable transition of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Kerala as
indigenous, Indian, and independent as a movement, sparked by the formation of
different autonomous Pentecostal denominations originated locally in Kerala. It also
discusses the transition and transformation of Classical Pentecostalism during this
period of study. Chapter Five deals with the history of the third phase of the
Pentecostal- Charismatic Christianity in Kerala from 1978 to the present. It examines
the historical transition of the Pentecostal movement as Charismatic and neocharismatic
or neo- Pentecostal churches. In this chapter, the history of the
Charismatic movement and the history of selected neo-charismatic or neo-
Pentecostal churches are discussed. This chapter also deals with the history of
transition and transformation of Classical Pentecostalism and indigenous,
independent Pentecostalism in Kerala. A Conclusion is drawn based on the summary
of the chapters and the findings of the research.
The major findings of this thesis are: The uniqueness of the origin of
Pentecostal- Charismatic Christianity in Kerala; that is, an indigenous, pre-
Pentecostal or Pentecostal- like manifestation that paved the way for the arrival and
growth of the Classical Pentecostal message in Kerala. Dalits‘ embrace of Classical
Pentecostalism was against their struggle of caste discrimination and search for
freedom, identity, and dignity due to the influence of the social movements in
Kerala. The transition of Classical Pentecostalism to Indian Pentecostalism was due
to the influence of nationalism, demand for home rule in India, the temple entry
movements in Kerala. Indigenous leadership of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity
in Kerala was a product of Indian Pentecostalism and this happened due to the
influence of nationalism and home rule movement. Swadeshi Church was developed
as part of the transformational growth of Classical Pentecostalism under indigenous
leadership and this happened due to the influence of the social context of freedom
movement in Kerala. The transition of Classical Pentecostalism to independent
Pentecostalism was due to the influence of social context of Kerala such as the
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Communist ideologies and its demand for autonomy. Dalit Pentecostalism was a
product of Independent Classical Pentecostalism, which happened due to the
influence of the growth of Communism and trade union movements among the
working class people. Organizational pluralism in Classical Pentecostalism was a
phase of transition of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Kerala in terms of
splits, conflicts, leadership crisis, and internal fights. The social context of the
migration of Pentecostals and its after- effects of economic transformation caused for
splits and conflicts. Charismatic Christianity in Kerala was a movement of spiritual
empowerment outside of Classical Pentecostalism, which developed due to the
growing addiction of alcoholism among men and its psychological effects on
families. The emphasis on personal wholeness and numerical growth of Neo-
Charismatic Churches in Kerala was due to the challenges of alcoholism, impact of
media, financial instability, and emotional challenges. Neo- Charismatic churches in
Kerala are emphasizing ‗Anointing‘ over ‗Theological Education.’
Description
Ph. D. Thesis
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