Editorial

Sources of Charismatic Theology

T. M. SUFFIELD & JONATHAN BLACK

Eucharisma 2, (Winter 2024), 2-3.

We named this journal Eucharisma partially as a nod to Andrew Wilson’s Spirit and Sacrament where he coins the neologism ‘Eucharismatic’ to describe a charismatic and sacramental spirituality. While both of us are committed to the importance of the sacraments in contemporary British Pentecostal and charismatic worship, there’s a deeper allusion we hoped to convey of a charismatic theology that is open to history and the great traditions of the Christian faith. I (Tim) must admit, as this is a charismatic journal, that the name came to me while praying.

British Pentecostal and charismatic churches are not sufficiently conscious of history. Whether it be our own recent history in the twentieth century, our Protestant history, or the preceding 1500 years of the church’s progression and development, we tend not to give it much place in our church life, discipleship, or thought. But we do not think in a vacuum. As I heard Anthony Thiselton repeatedly say in his lectures during my (Tim) undergraduate degree, we must approach theology seeing ourselves as ‘pygmies on the shoulders of giants.’ 

Alas, too often, we assume that we are the giants and give little attention to those on whose shoulders we stand. The result is that our thinking and churchmanship is all too often uprooted from the fertile soil of the communion of saints. Too often, we speak and act as though no one has ever said much about these biblical texts before us, and as though we have no need of wise guides to help guide our interpretation and steer us away from the mistakes of the past. Yet, drinking deeply from the wells of the past we share with our brothers and sisters across the Body of Christ will not only increase our appreciation of other Christian traditions, but also resource us to think carefully about our own tradition. More Pentecostal and charismatic pastors reading Irenaeus, Boethius, Bernard, and Calvin—to pick a figure worth your time from each five hundred years of Christian history—would be a very good thing. 

Our first issue explored a number of issues and challenges with charismatic theology. This issue is trying to dig a little deeper to see where our theology can find some of these roots. You’ll find in this issue some articles that take a particular figure from Church history and attempt to argue that they are a worthy resource for charismatic theology, even though they wouldn’t have claimed that name for themselves. You’ll find others trying to do more constructive work on where our theology comes from. Of course, there are more sources than covered and important ones missed: our selection is not systematic. 

---

You may have noticed that this issue is out rather later than initially promised. Editing journals, and sourcing articles for them, is much more challenging than we had anticipated. Our initial desire to publish quarterly was naïve, we are now going to aim for biannually. Look out for new calls for papers and submission dates for future issues. 

We’d like to make two requests. The first is that the editorial team needs to grow to make Eucharisma sustainable. If you have relevant skills and would like to help, please contact us and include the amount of time you’re able to volunteer. 

Eucharisma is not supported financially by any organisation. The website is simple and was paid for out of our own pockets. Realistically if Eucharisma is going to be sustainable it also needs a financial footing. If you believe in what we’re doing, consider supporting our Patreon, or getting in touch about how else you could support us financially. Initially this will cover the costs of hosting. If possible we’d like to pay editors and writers, even if notionally.

Nothing like this exists in the UK. We believe that creating a space for deep thinking in the UK Pentecostal and charismatic church is important. Because it doesn’t exist it’s difficult to begin. Even if you can’t edit, you can’t write an article, and you can’t give financially, do pray for us.