The Pentecostal Gender Paradox: Eschatology and the Search for Equality

by Joseph Lee Dutko, Wolfgang Vondey (Editor), Daniela C. Augustine (Editor)

Overview

The distinct subjects of eschatology and gender equality have seen an explosion of interest in recent decades, particularly within Pentecostal scholarship. Pentecostalism is regarded ideally as both an eschatological and egalitarian movement. However, many Pentecostals have lamented the inconsistency between the early egalitarian impulse of the movement and its current restrictive practices. This situation has been described as the so-called Pentecostal “gender paradox,” referring to the conflicting freedoms and limitations experienced by Pentecostal women. Pentecostals have also recognized the waning eschatological fervor within the movement and its shifting eschatological convictions, leading to calls to rediscover the eschatological heart of the movement.

Despite the renewed interest in both eschatology and women's equality, little research has been done to put these two areas into conversation with each other: eschatological convictions are often absent in the debate on gender roles in the church. For Pentecostals, eschatology has often been about urgency in “saving souls” rather than attending to social issues, but could Pentecostal eschatology be the key to (re)discovering greater equality for women in the church? Is the waning of both eschatology and women's equality within Pentecostalism potentially interrelated?

For over one hundred years the role of women in Pentecostalism has been debated without a firm consensus. By examining gender solely through an eschatological lens in history, Scripture, and praxis, this work provides a valuable and creative contribution to one of the most important theological and global issues of our time, women's (in)equality. This book is also one of the first comprehensive studies to approach a single social issue solely through an eschatological lens and to provide attention to developing a thorough and methodologically connected eschatological praxis. By uncovering the unified eschatological-egalitarian narrative thread within both the Pentecostal and biblical story, this work suggests that the present end of women's inequality begins with fidelity to the future eschaton of gender equality.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780567713650
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/29/2025
Series:	T&T Clark Systematic Pentecostal and Charismatic Theology
Pages:	312
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.65(d)

About the Author

Wolfgang Vondey is Professor of Christian Theology and Pentecostal Studies at the University of Birmingham, UK and Director at the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies.

Daniela C. Augustine (DTh, University of South Africa) is a member of the faculty of the University of Birmingham, UK. She has published with focus on public theology, theological ethics, interdisciplinary studies in social transformation, postmodernity, and globalization, theology of economics, and the intersection of religion and culture from Pentecostal and Eastern European perspective. She currently serves as associate editor of the Journal of Pentecostal Theology.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

List of Abbreviations

Introduction
Gender Equality: Beginning with the End

Chapter One
Eschatology: Enemy of Equality?

Chapter Two
Women and Eschatology in the Early Pentecostal Movement: In Search of an Authorizing Hermeneutic

Chapter Three
The Loss of Eschatology as Authorizing Hermeneutic

Chapter Four
Imagining the Eschaton: (Re)Constructing the Eschatological Authorizing Hermeneutic

Chapter Five
Pre-Enacting the Promise: Solving the Gender Praxis Problem

Chapter Six
Participating in the Eschaton: Toward a Pentecostal Eschatological-Egalitarian Praxis

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

Joseph Dutko both deepens and extends the eschatological hermeneutic that other Pentecostal theologians have called attention to and also applies it to resolving one of the most intractable issues facing Pentecostal churches today: the full support and promotion of women in ministry and elsewhere. While there remain surely socioeconomic-cultural and political-economic impediments to the full flourishing of women in Pentecostal communities, this book provides one of the most definitive scriptural and theological arguments for shattering the so-called “stained-glass ceiling” once and for all in churches and organizations that desire to be Spirit-led-and-inspired.” —Amos Yong, Fuller Seminary, USA

“A compelling, well-researched, and refreshing piece of academic work. Dutko offers new and unique insights into the gender debate, providing an example of what Pentecostal theology is meant to be and do. There were many places I gave a loud 'Amen!' in affirmation of what I was reading. I am grateful that there are men like Dutko who recognize that it must be their voices that make the case for women to be seen and heard at all levels of church leadership.” —Joy Qualls, Biola University, USA

“A bold call for Pentecostals to recover and privilege biblical eschatology as the means to bring resolution to the debate over women in ministry leadership by pre-enacting in the present the male-female equality of God's kingdom to be experienced in the eschaton. Dutko demonstrates how early Pentecostals viewed women in ministry as the fulfillment of biblically based eschatological promises until hermeneutical shifts moved eschatology from its central position leading to restrictions on women. Rather than the Pauline “texts of terror” currently utilized as foundational texts for prohibiting women from ministry, Dutko gives hermeneutical priority to Genesis 1-3, Galatians 3:28, and Acts 2:17-18 as eschatological texts that both inspire the imagination and invite participation in the present. The final chapter on suggestions for what an eschatological-egalitarian praxis can look like in leadership, education, and worship makes this work eminently practical. As a Pentecostal woman in ministry, this book fills me with hope!” —Melissa L. Archer, Southeastern University, USA

“The Pentecostal Gender Paradox examines a well-known phenomenon from a new and fresh perspective, while remaining faithful to the heartbeat of Pentecostalism. Dutko's eschatological approach breathes new life into a well-worn conversation, and he is not content merely with making epistemic claims but also offering prescriptions for various ways an eschatological-egalitarian praxis can be lived out. Both the depth and breadth of this work is noteworthy, as it includes chapters devoted to historical development and contextualization, as well as theological construction and implementation. This book promises to become a landmark for anyone studying gender issues within Pentecostalism and is a needed voice in the current conversation. The reader will not be disappointed!” —Lisa P. Stephenson, Lee University, USA

“Pentecostalism was birthed in the ferment of eschatological urgency that authorized an egalitarian impulse affording women prominent places in leadership and ministry. Unfortunately, this egalitarian impulse waned producing a paradox of female exclusion. Dutko's offers creative and thoughtful proposals to call for the reconstruction of Pentecostal eschatology as an authorizing hermeneutic that looks to future possibilities as a basis for women's full participation in the church.” —Peter Althouse, Oral Roberts University, USA

From the Publisher