A dramatic Pentecostal/Charismatic Anti-Theodicy: improvising on a divine performance of lament

Torr, Stephen Charles (2012). A dramatic Pentecostal/Charismatic Anti-Theodicy: improvising on a divine performance of lament. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

By engaging with Kevin Vanhoozer’s Theo-dramatic paradigm for understanding the metanarrative of salvation history, this thesis sets up and answers the question: What does it mean to produce a fitting Pentecostal/Charismatic performance in the face of seemingly innocent, meaningless suffering when God appears to be absent? The answer offered – classified, in reference to previous and current responses to the problem of evil and suffering, as an ‘Anti-Theodicy’ – provides Biblically rooted, systematic guidance for such a performance by proposing an improvisation on the divine command performance of Jesus during the suffering experienced in the Easter event.

In proposing such an improvisation, it is argued that the practice of lament, so prominent in the Old Testament, becomes a Christologically qualified and justified practice to be used in the current scenes of the drama in response to the type of suffering in question. However, rather than simply arguing for recovery of this practice alone, a pneumatological twist is offered in which the Spirit is understood to be given as an aid to help with the practice of lament, post-ascension. In addition, practical suggestions are made regarding how the use of testimony in Pentecostal/Charismatic communities could be modified in the light of this thesis.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):