Beyond the Temple

Pentecostal Spirituality as a Lived Ecclesiology

In this study Wilmer Estrada-Carrasquillo constructs a Pentecostal lived ecclesiology by exploring how lived faith informs the way people interact in their lived spaces. Because of their eschatological vision, Pentecostals have been caricatured as detached from surrounding culture and unconcerned about contemporary events. Yet this study uncovers the Pentecostal voices and churches that are thinking seriously about the ways their spirituality impacts the public sphere. Estrada-Carrasquillo argues that Pentecostalism needs to ‘revision’ itself constantly and that the topic of theology and culture is one that deserves thorough study.
Furthermore, this study seeks to make a much-needed contribution within the area of public missiology. To become more attuned to the public space not only makes the church more relevant, but, more importantly, it also makes the church more attuned to its context and will open new avenues for missiological engagement. The church, as ambassadors of Christ in this world, is responsible for knowing the times, the narratives of today’s culture, and for being capable of translating the gospel in fresh ways. Estrada-Carrasquillo insists that Latino/a Pentecostals are spearheading such integration by constantly asking themselves how their theology shapes and informs their public engagement, and vice versa. Thus, drawing from Latino/a Pentecostal literature and Puerto Rican Pentecostal ecclesial practice, this study seeks to propose a Pentecostal lived ecclesiology.