Book Review: Practical Theology

Spring 2005 PNEUMA REVIEW

Mark L. Cartledge, Practical Theology: Charismatic and Empirical Perspectives (Carlisle, Cumbria, UK: Paternoster Press, 2003), 271 + xiv pages.

Theology. Charismatic spirituality. Sociology. Theories of knowledge and truth. Heady topics which Mark Cartledge has successfully integrated into one book, "Practical Theology," one of the newest volumes in the continuing series "Studies in Pentecostal and Charismatic Issues." This book is not exactly an easy book to read, but the patient reader will gain an abundance of insight into the relationship between practical theology and charismatic spirituality, which Cartledge presents through an empirical study of a local church in the United Kingdom.

Cartledge begins with a presentation of his methodology—the "how" of his study. He explores how theology relates to the social sciences, specifically to sociology. Since the outworking of our faith occurs primarily in a community setting (i.e., the local church), "theology should be conceived as an empirical discipline in the sense that it would aim to explore, describe and test theological ideas contained within a specific context [i.e., the local church]. The direct object of empirical theology therefore is the faith and practice of people concerned" (p. 14). Empirical theology (or empirical research) is the means; practical theology (or faith-in-practice) is the result.

How does practical theology relate to charismatic spirituality (and Christian spirituality in general)? Cartledge sees this faith-in-practice as having a number of significant components: the doxological belief that God is actively at work in the church and in the world (thus leading to worship), the devotional belief that God answers prayer (thus leading to prayer), and the missiological belief that God desires others to be brought into a personal relationship with him (thus leading to evangelism). All three of these beliefs are acted upon both individually and communally, and an empirical study of these beliefs as evidenced in a church community setting would "contribute to the life of the ecclesial community to which the person belongs. ... Thus the process of practical theology becomes itself a mechanism for transformation within the kingdom of God [as both the researcher and the community reviews the results of the research]. Practical theology viewed in this light is theology in the service of the church for the world" (p. 26).

To aid the topic of his study, Cartledge includes a chapter on epistemology—"[t]he question as to how we know what we know" (p. 41)—and how it relates to Pentecostal/charismatic spirituality. Theories of truth, at their basic core, help us to determine criteria for determining truth from error, as well as deciding sources of truth. Cartledge draws on the work of epistemologists to present us with five sources of truth, but the fifth source is the most significant one for charismatics: testimony. He upholds the importance of the testimony of Scripture, as well as the testimony of the community of the faithful (which holds significance for experientially-oriented charismatic spirituality). Community (and individual) testimony, as long as it is judged on the basis of the testimony of Scripture, can provide a valuable resource for practical theology.

In the final chapter of his first section, Cartledge explains the actual methodology he used in his practical research, which consisted of participant observation, study of documents relating to the church, interviews with and surveys of members of the congregation, and finally computer analysis of the data compiled. He ends the chapter with a brief and helpful introduction to his statistical methods.

The second half of Cartledge's volume deals with the "what" of his study—the actual results and analysis of the research he did in a certain charismatic church in the U.K. (identified with a pseudonym). Specifically, he surveyed charismatic worship as a performance of spirituality, glossolalia and its relationship to postmodernity and socialization, charismatic women and prophetic activity, as well as the relationship between faith and healing, and an additional chapter on the Toronto Blessing (and its relationship to charismatic experience). He follows up these chapters with two appendices, which include the surveys he used in the research study, as well as a helpful glossary of terms and an exhaustive bibliography.

On the surface, empirical and practical theology can seem, contradictory as it sounds, non-practical. When it comes to the life and faith of the believer and the community of believers, research and study should never be an end to itself. Cartledge anticipates this objection wonderfully, in one of the most grace-affirming passages in the book (p. 30):

The point is that at the end of each encounter there is either an articulation of further questions or hypotheses ..., or there is a proposed transformation of theological praxis. This is achieved by means of specific recommendations for change .... Of course, true change always comes from God, and it is a work of grace. Charismatic theology invites change at the levels of affection, attitude and behaviour. However, it is always the Holy Spirit who is the agent of such transformation.

... The transformation has a divine purpose. It enables the person so transformed to serve the work of God through the church for the sake of the world, so the world may be transformed according to the purposes of God.

Amen and amen.

Reviewed by Mike J. Knowles

Mike J. Knowles, B.Th., is involved in teaching and music ministry at Bethany Christian Assembly (Assemblies of God) in Everett, Washington. He has written articles for numerous publications, including The Pentecostal Testimony (Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada). He is currently writing his first book: a devotional commentary on the book of Philippians. (As of 2005)

Prepared for the Pneuma Foundation website by KenJ