| Summary: | The new interest in spirituality forms the background to this research. In step with prominent
scholars in the field of spirituality the following working definition for spirituality has been
adopted: âSpirituality is an experience in the presence of the Creator and the dynamic
transforms usâ. The spirituality of various religious traditions has been described. Black
Hebrew Pentecostalism is one rich tradition that has been hidden from the view of scholars.
This research is an attempt to address this issue. The research problem enquires whether there
are unique features to this religious tradition and its corresponding spirituality.
Two communities in New York (USA) have been selected for research purposes.
Methodologically, literature and empirical research approaches have been employed. A
specific contribution has been made to the discipline of spirituality by mapping a qualitative
method for studying the spirituality of a religious tradition. In conversation with major
scholars a unique set of constituent dimensions for spirituality has been identified; when used
as questions during empirical research this could disclose the main feature of spirituality.
In studying the two communities of Temple El Shaddai and Gideon Knights Freedom Church
of Jesus Christ specific attention was given to the following issues: contextual background,
distinctive spiritual features, normativity and authority, theological views, notions of
transcendence, distinctive morality, the dynamics of the divine-human relationship and its
impact on spirituality.
To determine synthetically the profile of the spirituality of Black Hebrew Pentecostalism not
only the research results of the two communities were compared, but two additional research
strategies were employed: the study of related spiritualities (e.g. that of the Lemba
communities, Pentecostalism, Traditional Africa and African-Americanism) and the use of
various religious typologies. These help highlight the main and unique elements of Black
Hebrew Pentecostal spirituality.
The research has disclosed that this religious tradition has unique features that have resulted
in a unique spirituality. Here are some of the main constituent elements: o Black Hebrew Pentecostalism integrated the perspectives of two religious traditions â
Judaism and Christianity - to form a unique tradition of its own. The faith and
concomitant spiritual practices are experienced as coherent.
o A string focus on social identity accompanies this spirituality. Without social realities like
racism this spirituality cannot be appreciated.
o Identity markers like symbolism, ritual, theological conviction and ethical practice
functions strongly to determine and maintain spiritual identity.
o Normativity and authority which inevitably influence spirituality are located in both the
leader of the community and the Bible.
o Time-cycles function prominently especially concerning the honoring of the Sabbath and
Old Testament Feasts.
o Morality and strict moral codes are intimately intertwined with spiritual experiences.
o The naming of the divine is exceptionally critical and is another outstanding characteristic
of this spirituality.
o Spiritual maturity can be defined in terms of power and this is related to the social
identity of the tradition.
o The spirituality integrates the life of followers and supports them to cope with existential
challenges.
This research has made contributions, not only to the general corpus of knowledge of this
religious tradition, but also to the academic discipline of spirituality.
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