Pentecostal orality: the polyphony of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in Denmark

Petterson, Leif (2025). Pentecostal orality: the polyphony of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in Denmark. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis proposes a definition of Pentecostal orality based on empirical research in Denmark. Pentecostalism has often been associated with orality as a main feature characterising its spirituality, liturgy, and theological engagement. The orality of the movement has often been contrasted with formal liturgy, textuality, theological literacy, although there seems to be no clear theory of the phenomenon. This empirical study presents worshipping, interacting, praying, ritualising, preaching, and spiritualising as six oral categories describing the liturgical media ecology of three Danish Pentecostal and Charismatic churches. The observed characteristics of orality are discussed with the ideas of Pentecostal theologian Wolfgang Vondey, philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin, and others whose work resonates with the findings. The thesis conceptualises Pentecostal orality as a polyphonic epistemology, not only concerned with rational knowledge but with life-transforming experience. Polyphony denotes the many voices, sounds, narratives and individual spiritualities of Pentecostals; dialogue explains the embodiment of social, ecclesial, and internal voices in individuals; and sacramentality underscores the charismatic and spiritual dimension of epistemology based on an eschatological/pneumatological view of sacramentality. Going beyond the dichotomous notions of orality suggested by Walter J. Ong and Walter J. Hollenweger, the study explores orality in Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in Denmark. Furthermore, the study presents polyphonic epistemology in a modern systemic media ecology of orality, literacy, textuality, multimedia, and physical embodiment which corrects previous understandings of Pentecostal orality, and false assumptions about the movement’s oral structures.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):