Journal: Conspectus
Volume: CONSPECTUS 38:1 (Oct 2024)
Article: An Investigation Of The Pneumatological Praxes Of Montanism With Lessons For The Contemporary African Church
Author: Ayotunde Olayori Oguntade

Conspectus 38:1 (October 2024) p. 24

An Investigation Of The Pneumatological Praxes Of Montanism With Lessons For The Contemporary African Church

Ayotunde Olayori Oguntade

The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary

About The Author

Ayotunde Olayori Oguntade holds a Ph.D. from the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary. He serves as a Senior Lecturer at NBTS in the Department of Intercultural Studies and also as the Director of the Archives and Museum. He is a member of the Nigerian Association of Church History and Missiological Studies (NACHAMS), Sacred Earth Ministry (SEM), and is a member and consultant for the Baptist History and Heritage Academy of Nigeria. He has published articles and book chapters in his areas of interest, which include Church History, Missions, and World Religions. Email: [email protected]

This article: https://www.sats.ac.za/conspectus/investigation-pneumatological-praxes https://doi.org/10.54725/conspectus.2024.2.2

Abstract

Some Pentecostal and African Indigenous Churches lay claim to the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and revelation for some practices that are inimical to biblical doctrine. Similarly, Montanism, an early Christian movement of the late second century, emphasized the Holy Spirit’s work through the manifestation of spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. However, it was considered heretical because of its outrageous pneumatological praxes. A study of the Montanism is historically valuable to learn lessons for sustaining the health of churches in Africa. This is the aim of this study. The study adopted the historical analysis method, generating information from personal observation and a qualitative survey of existing literature. Although Montanism emphasized the significance of holiness in a believer's life some doctrinal positions were confusing to the early church. Valuable lessons for the contemporary African church are, proactively dealing with heresies, promoting spiritual discipline towards utilizing members’ spiritual gifts, emphasizing women’s ministry, pursuing doctrinal purity, attending to discipline and discipleship, and promoting sound theological education. The result of the findings is significant because it creates historical consciousness for churches in Africa not to repeat past mistakes. The article proceeds through the following steps: It first surveys abuses among contemporary prophets and pastors. Next, it provides an introduction to Pneumatology. After that comes a historical overview of the Montanism movement. Lastly, it draws lessons for the modern African Church.

Keywords

contemporary African church, Holy Spirit, Montanism, pneumatological praxes

Conspectus 38:1 (October 2...