When Neo-Charismatic Practices Travel Across the Atlantic

In this article, we discuss the possible adoption of prophetic ministry, as it is practiced at the Neo-Pentecostal Bethel Church in Redding, California, in a Scandinavian-Lutheran context. Using an empirical qualitative study design, a selection of lay prophetic ministers at Bethel have been interviewed, supplemented with data from Bethel’s sermons and literature. Through the empirical study, we identified some key theological themes that we find to be particularly important to assess, if personal prophecy, or similar practices, are to be used in Scandinavian churches and parachurch organizations. Some of these themes correspond to themes that emerge from Pentecostal-Lutheran dialogues, like the interpretation of divine presence and the evaluation of divine and human agency in particular (spiritual) practices. Following this second theme, questions concerning Bethel’s theological anthropology and theology of suffering are evaluated, drawing on, amongst others, Reinhard Hütter’s theology of Christian practices. Prophecy appears to be a sort of semi-sacramental practice at Bethel, and a Lutheran understanding of Christ´s presence in practices offers a constructive and critical interpretative lens as we discuss the Pentecostal notion of manifest presence. When it comes to the (theological) limitations of human agency in Christian practices, the Orthodox-Lutheran dialogue on divinisation, or theosis, proves helpful. Towards the end of the article, we draw on these elaborations on theological anthropology to discuss the relationship between notions of suffering and prophetic ministry, suggesting that an underdeveloped theology of suffering may result in a superficial prophetic ministry focusing on blessings and prosperity. Hence, Scandinavians who seek to adopt a prophetic ministry, would benefit from integrating a complex Lutheran theology of a) Christ`s presence and b) the cross in their practice. Such a theological emphasis includes acknowledging that humans are at best secondary agents ministering God’s grace and mercy to those whom they minister to and with.