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The link between progressivism and classical Pentecostalism

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3147 **7/26/17 11:47 am**

I have been interested in this subject for a while now and with the recent events on this board I thought I'd try to start a discussion.

What, if any, links are there between the late 19th to early 20th century progressive/social-democrat movement and the adoption of those views within the American Pentecostal/Holiness movement? Specifically in the area of prohibition of alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and "worldly" entertainment and dress as well as views on the acceptability and use of birth-control. Are they all related?

I think Robins ...

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1994 **7/26/17 2:34 pm**

I think R. G. Robins may touch discuss this topic in his book, "A. J. Tomlinson:
Plainfolk Modernist (Religion in America)."

Tomlinson was a "populist" in the broader since, as he identified with poor and working class people (he may have run for political office as a populist when he was young). The radical Quaker influences, including his families early membership in the "anti-slavery party" (which became the Republican Party), their role in the underground railroad and multi-racial community they lived in, shaped his views. Many of the ministers that AJT was associated with had those "progressive" views you speak of and I'm sure these view are reflected in how he saw the "Church of God".

Mat

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **7/26/17 2:46 pm**

As one who has for many years had a great interest in the study of historic Christian revival movements, my understanding is that culture and ethics of the 19th century Holiness Movement was indeed foundational to the early Pentecostal Movement, and impacted the thought thereof to a large extent. Ironically enough, the social reform movements of the 19th century, such as Temperance, Abolitionism, women's suffrage, etc., derived much of their impetus from the postmillennialism that was the prevailing eschatology in that day.

While Pentecostalism was most generally premillennialist in outlook instead of postmillenialist, the social improvement emphases of the Holiness Movement nevertheless retained a strong influence on the culture of early Pentecostalism, especially with regard to total alcohol abstinence, healthy living (anti smoking, for instance) and race relations. Unfortunately, these early emphases have tended to be compromised in Pentecostalism over the ensuing decades, especially concerning things like race relations.

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3147 **7/26/17 3:06 pm**

I find it interesting that several Christian movements of the day, specifically those that were in their early years such as our movement, seem to have adopted much of the progressive movement's values. Do you think that our views on birth-control would also stem from the same social progressivism of the period?

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **7/26/17 3:20 pm**

I am not an expert by any means, but my observation is that with regard to birth control, Pentecostalism has been far more influenced by the world than the other way around, especially since the advent of the birth control pill. God says children are a great blessing to be cherished and celebrated, while the world and much of the professing church sadly view children as a burden, with anything more than 2 kids per family being considered almost an absurdity.

Acts-perienced Poster Posts: 11849 **7/27/17 1:03 pm**

Progressivism has gone off down it's own weird path since Pentecostalism was founded.
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Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3147 **7/27/17 1:18 pm**

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **7/27/17 4:48 pm**

Progressivism, as I would characterize a major portion of the sociopolitical mindset of the 19th century Holiness movement, was not originally a bad thing at all, but was in fact a benevolent Christian approach to social problems like slavery, alcohol, child labor, dietary reform, women's suffrage, etc.

Where progressivism as a political movement got way off course, in my opinion, was under President Woodrow Wilson, FDR, LBJ, and so forth. It has eventually turned out to be a movement whose motto is freedom to do as one pleases, instead of one that sought freedom for the truly oppressed.

That said, I don't see how it can reasonably be argued that the status quo of social ills like slavery, child labor, alcoholism, etc., should have been supported and maintained by Christians in any age or society.

Golf Cart Mafia Consigliere Posts: 3147 **7/28/17 8:49 am**

[quote="Quiet Wyatt"]

That said, I don't see how it can reasonably be argued that the status quo of social ills like slavery, child labor, alcoholism, etc., should have been supported and maintained by Christians in any age or society.[/quote

Slavery was outlawed before the Progressive movement started.

I'm simply interested to know how much of the values of that movement, including prohibition and more especially, birth-control and "family planning", influenced the fledgling American holiness movements. Undoubtedly we welcomed the "pill" in the 60s just as fast as the world did, but I want to know why? How was it already such a "normal" mindset in the church?

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **7/28/17 9:37 am**

I was referring to the sociopolitical mindset of the 19th century Holiness Movement, which was definitely liberal and progressive in its day.