Who needs Ethics when you have the Spirit?’ Prophecy as Ethics in Pentecostal/ Charismatic Moral Formation

Wesley Gilpin Lecture 2026 with Helen Collins

‘Who needs Ethics when you have the Spirit?’ Prophecy as Ethics in Pentecostal/ Charismatic Moral Formation'

Join us in person or online for the Wesley Gilpin Lecture 2026! Nov. 25th from 3.30–5.00pm. The event will be held at the Elim Arts Centre at Regents Theological College or joined online.

ZOOM LINK:

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https://elim.zoom.us/j/93079587349?pwd=PdY5fSC4uFAwxTH1h6nJqbZJyCeXNb.1 (https://elim.zoom.us/j/93079587349?pwd=PdY5fSC4uFAwxTH1h6nJqbZJyCeXNb.1)

Meeting ID: 930 7958 7349

Passcode: 075331

Abstract:

Pentecostal/charismatic Christians are not well known for their nuanced ethical reflection. More likely are they to be characterised, variously, as legalistic escapists (the evangelicals), fervent activists (the liberationists), or pragmatic entrepreneurs (the prosperity gospel advocates). However, this paper will argue that prophecy is a primary means by which Pentecostals, of all varieties, engage in ethical decision-making in ways which are rational and coherent, despite attracting scorn from non-charismatic and secular ethicists alike. Drawing on the works of Castelo, Augustine, Villafane, Smith, Land and Yong, I will examine three dimensions of Pentecostal/charismatic prophecy: prophetic intuition as affective soteriology, prophetic words as empowered ecclesiology, and prophetic actions as emboldened missiology in order to articulate how Pentecostals make decisions with and through the prophetic Spirit of Jesus Christ. I will offer some critiques of this approach, particularly its tendency to individualism, triumphalism and hyper-supernaturalism, I will ultimately propose that charismatic ‘prophecy as ethics’ is a charism able to bring blessings to fearful and flailing Western mainline denominations.

Description supplied by the event organiser.