Back to the Past: Reimagining Afro-Pentecostal Homiletics as a Form of Social Power by Recapturing Their Early Spirit of Activism to Address Contemporary Racism.

This thesis identifies how Afro-Pentecostal homiletics can be the impetus behind reviving Afro-Pentecostalism as a force for social justice advocacy by centering sermons around the social-ethical message of the biblical prophets. Despite a storied history of activism and a social ethic that promoted equality and countered racism with resistance, many contemporary Afro-Pentecostals have abandoned their rich history of social engagement and opted instead to focus on the prosperity gospel and its emphasis on extravagant wealth. The shift is a direct result of the emergence of the prosperity gospel with its roots in New Thought and Positive Thinking that eventually became influential in African American religious circles. Just like a thief in the night, the prosperity gospel swooped in and transformed Afro-Pentecostalism from a movement that prioritized justice and Jesus to one that developed a homiletical tradition that confused holiness with wealth and prioritized prosperity over social responsibility and, ultimately, the individual over community.

The problems are theological as much as they are homiletical. Theologically, Afro-Pentecostal’s tendency towards pre-millennialism encourages little concern for the here and now, and the individualism inherent within prosperity theology centers on self. Sermons focus on what God can do for the individual and rarely, if ever, mention the power of community. Homiletically, the lack of emphasis on social justice matters from pulpits on Sunday morning sends a clear sign to parishioners of what the church prioritizes.

By drawing from leading Afro-Pentecostal scholars and mining actual sermons of prominent Afro-Pentecostal leaders, this thesis concludes that preaching is critical in building a prophetic community that empowers pastors and congregations. This interdependent relationship goes beyond mere foretelling and counters individualism. Using the munus triplex as a blueprint for Christ-like leadership, Afro-Pentecostal pastors can galvanize their communities via their public roles as prophets, priests, and servant-leaders as they and the congregations emulate Christ. Finally, the Spirit’s work is not limited to the individual experience of salvation. A holistic theology of the Spirit goes beyond individual encounters and spreads into the world as a liberator. Jesus embodies what it means to prioritize the marginalized and still hold piety in high regard and shows that piety and passion for justice are not mutually exclusive.

This thesis underscores the urgent need to restore Afro-Pentecostalism’s history of social justice advocacy, which is essential in the fight against injustice. Protestants cannot accomplish this alone. The importance of adding millions of believers to the justice arena cannot be overstated, and this watershed moment presents an opportunity for transformative change when the Spirit injects life into Afro-Pentecostalism’s prophetic voice to revive their early spirit of activism and address contemporary racism.