31.05.2007

International Theological Dialogue

Between the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and Some Classical Pentecostal Representatives

Representatives of some classical Pentecostal churches and delegates of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) met at the Theological Faculty of the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, 21 to 24 May. This meeting was the fifth session of an international dialogue on “Experience in Christian Faith and Life” which began in 2002, following the first five-year round of theological conversations (1996 to 2000) on “Word and Spirit, Church and World.”

The 2007 topic focused on “Justice.” Dr. Gesine von Kloeden-Freudenberg, executive secretary in the Department for Women, Youth and Children of the United Evangelical Mission, Wuppertal, Germany, presented the paper from the Reformed delegation. The paper was entitled “Doors of Righteousness” and it focused on statements about justice by recent councils of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and on the roots of justice in foundational theology. It concluded with a reflection of the Belhar Confession (South Africa, 1986).

Two presentations were made by the Pentecostal team. Dr. Nico Horn, director of the Human Rights Centre of the University of Namibia, made a presentation on “Pentecostals and Apartheid,” and Dr. Japie J. La Poorta, deputy president of the Apostolic Faith Mission in South Africa, spoke on “Justice from a South African Perspective: Stories of Hope in the Midst of Enormous Challenges.” The ensuing discussion focused on the theological understanding of justice and sanctification and how this understanding is expressed in the lives of churches in different regional contexts as well as in the respective traditions.

The Reformed team was composed of: Rev. Dr. Joseph Small, co-chair (U.S.), Rev. Dr. Paul Ara Haidostian (Lebanon), Rev. Dr. Gesine von Kloeden-Freudenberg (Germany), Rev. Prof. Aureo Rodrigues de Oliveira (Brazil), Prof. Dr. Cephas Omenyo (Ghana) and Prof. Dr. Cornelis van der Kooi (Netherlands). The Pentecostal team included: Prof. Dr. David Daniels, co-chair (U.S.), Prof. Dr. Anthea Butler (Pentecostal staff, U.S.), Prof. Dr. Nico Horn (Namibia), Rev. Dr. Japie J. La Poorta (South Africa), Dr. Jean-Daniel Plüss (Switzerland) and Prof. Dr. Cecil M. Robeck, Jr. (U.S.).

The next session of the Reformed-Pentecostal Dialogue will take place in May 2008. It will produce a final report on the current round of the dialogue.