Help please on a research topic

[Originalist]

In my "History of Religion in America" class, the thesis for my research paper is,

Although the United Pentecostal Church International at times stretches the rules of orthodoxy to their limit, the organization cannot be considered a sub-Christian cult.

Now before some of you explode, let me say that I realize the term "orthodox" is subjective. Certainly what we as OP's consider to be "orthodoxy" is different in some respects to what Evangelicals and "Classical Pentecostals" consider it to be. However, the school I attend is AG and, for the sake of objectivity, I do not want to come across as an apologist for the UPCI. That should not be difficult since I plan on being transparent about a couple of areas I struggle with in regards the doctrine of that fellowship. The focus of my research will be to analyze whether or not the UPCI is really as unorthodox by Evangelical standards as some claim it is. Having been an Assemblies of God minister in the past, I feel I can offer some unique insights to this topic.

Here's where I need help from some of you on AFF. If anyone has any writings on the life and teaching of Andrew Urshan, that would be helpful. While I realize he was not "UPC" originally, he made some statements at one point that I feel could add to this discussion.

Also, I am looking for some good references on the history of the UPCI, whether they be pro or con.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[TakingDominion]

would love to read the paper once it's finished!

[TK Burk]

"What good is orthodoxy if it isn't Truth?" – Pastor Robert L Blakey

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by TK Burk

"What good is orthodoxy if it isn't Truth?" – Pastor Robert L Blakey

Again, I was hoping to avoid these kinds of comments. You're preaching to the choir. But is you could suggest any resources I'd be most grateful.

[Scott Pitta]

Dan Segraves wrote a scholary thesis about Andrew Urshan. Urshan also spilled his own share of ink and most of his books can be found at Amazon. Depending on where you are a student, they might be found in your seminary library.

Generally speaking, a church is a "cult" if it does not adhere to cardinal doctrines. One of those "cardinal" doctrines is the belief in the trinity. So by that standard, any church that does not belief in the trinity fits into the "cult" category.

In practice, some UPC ministers are reject anyone who believes differently than they do. Some do not.

I have seen this first hand when calling ministers and pastors about my book project. Some UPC ministers are outstanding in every way. Real diplomats and are the epitome of grace and intelligence.

Other UPC ministers have nothing to do with me at all because I am not "one of them".

In the academic world, the UPC is treated as peers. Especially in the Society of Pentecostal Studies. Especially among Pentecostal historians. So it depends on which social circle you measure.

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by Scott Pitta

Dan Segraves wrote a scholary thesis about Andrew Urshan. Urshan also spilled his own share of ink and most of his books can be found at Amazon. Depending on where you are a student, they might be found in your seminary library.

Generally speaking, a church is a "cult" if it does not adhere to cardinal doctrines. One of those "cardinal" doctrines is the belief in the trinity. So by that standard, any church that does not belief in the trinity fits into the "cult" category.

In practice, some UPC ministers are reject anyone who believes differently than they do. Some do not.

I have seen this first hand when calling ministers and pastors about my book project. Some UPC ministers are outstanding in every way. Real diplomats and are the epitome of grace and intelligence.

Other UPC ministers have nothing to do with me at all because I am not "one of them".

In the academic world, the UPC is treated as peers. Especially in the Society of Pentecostal Studies. Especially among Pentecostal historians. So it depends on which social circle you measure.

Good post.

One of the things I plan to do is to demonstrate that the Oneness doctrine fits, howbeit narrowly, under the umbrella of Trinitarianism, and is thus "orthodox". Of course, you must understand who my readers will be, mainly AG scholars.

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by Originalist

Again, I was hoping to avoid these kinds of comments. You're preaching to the choir. But is you could suggest any resources I'd be most grateful.

Sorry, I just like that quote.

[votivesoul]

Here is a good book:

https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Spir.../dp/0253216036

Lots of footnotes and a good bibliography. A chapter devoted to Andrew Urshan and G.T. Haywood.

[Scott Pitta]

On paper, Oneness does not fit under the umbrella of Trinitarian thought.

In practice, there is a wide diversity of thought about the nature of God.

To a nonchristian, they would appear to be 2 sides of the same coin.

Urshan and Goss famously described God as "tri-unity" instead of trinity.

But please remember, the Oneness ministers, including Urshan, left the AOG over this very issue.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Scott Pitta

On paper, Oneness does not fit under the umbrella of Trinitarian thought.

In practice, there is a wide diversity of thought about the nature of God.

To a nonchristian, they would appear to be 2 sides of the same coin.

Urshan and Goss famously described God as "tri-unity" instead of trinity.

But please remember, the Oneness ministers, including Urshan, left the AOG over this very issue.

Scott, trinity means tri-unity.

Oneness wasn't coined by those who left the AoG. It was coined by those who called us Jesus Only. Oneness doesn't mean a literal numeral one, but a unified one. We just happen to keep the title going because many of us don't actually care about its true meaning. The Hindu's understand its meaning, and that's because they are Trinitarians. They believe in one god. He is vishnu, which he is a trinity which has multiple avatars which are all his attributes, from Hanuman, to Ganesha. Males, and female avatars. Vishnu is also in everything, from rocks to pencils.

What sets Christianity apart is that we only believe in One God. One literal God, who has ONE NAME Jesus.