August 23, 2004 - Christianity without the Cross—A History of Salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism

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Christianity without the Cross—A History of Salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism
Reviewed by Andrew Degraffenreed
August 23, 2004

Thomas A Fudge, Christianity without the Cross. A History of Salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism. (Parkland, FL: Universal Publishers, 2003). vi + 394 pp. $29.95 paper.

I first saw Christianity without the Cross—A History of Salvation in Oneness Pentecostalism while doing research in the Regent University library. Oneness Pentecostals tend to pick up the word, “Oneness” when scanning a shelf of books, even when that is not what they are looking for. I wondered, as I pulled the book off the shelf, what the position of the book was. Judging by the title I expected to find either a book by some Oneness Pentecostal blasting everyone outside the Oneness movement, or a book blasting Oneness Pentecostals. I checked the author; it was not anyone I was familiar with. After reading the book, I found that neither of my first impressions, based on the title, was correct.

Probably the title of the book will cause it more problems than the contents, though some will have problems with both. The title is applied to those who teach Acts 2:38 combined with John 3:5, referred to in the book as “water and Spirit” doctrine, to the exclusion of the cross. It is often qualified, exempting those who clearly preach the cross. The title defiantly catches people’s eye, and is sure to keep it off most recommended reading lists for Oneness ministers. This is regrettable since it does present a side to the United Pentecostal Church (UPC), and Oneness history in general, that ought to be known by its constituents.

Title aside, I found the book of inestimable value. It begins with the origin of the Pentecostal movement and moves through the New Issue controversy. This section probably contains more of the author’s opinion than any other section, other than the concluding chapter. There is not much new here for anyone who has done much reading at all on the origins of Pentecost in general.

Frankly, chapters 3 - 5 (about 200 pages) are the most valuable part of the book. Chapter 3 deals with the merger that formed the UPC, presenting two views of salvation within the Oneness movement. One is the view probably most newcomers would find they have been taught—salvation is being born of the water and the Spirit (John 3:5) and the practical application of that is baptism in Jesus’ name and the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). This view is attributed to the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ (PAJC). The other view is the one credited to The Pentecostal Church, Incorporated (PCI) One example of the PCI position is sufficient to show the difference in the two positions. Dr. Fudge records part of an interview with C.H. Yadon as follows:

“Q: Do you believe in repentance?
A: Yes sir.

Q: Do you understand baptism as properly performed by immersion and in the name of Jesus?
A. Yes sir.

Q. And you think that is the proper way to do it, according to the apostles?
A. Yes, I do.

Q. Am I correct in assuming that you regard the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as a legitimate, biblical experience?
A. Yes sir, I do.

Q. Is it not true that the United Pentecostal Church teaches that these things are essential for salvation?
A. Yes, they do. But I have never believed that [such things are necessary for salvation]”

The history of the evolution of the doctrine of salvation within the UPCI has been written, as is always the case, by the victors. This book gives a voice to those whose voices have been silenced within the ranks of the UPCI. It shows that politics, rather than the Spirit, led to some of the doctrines that the UPCI now holds. If you read this book, you will be challenged, you will disagree at times, but you will face some issues that few seem intellectually honest enough to tackle.

I read the book as part of the research for a paper I wrote on Oneness relations. I have spoken personally to some of those interviewed for the book, and exchanged emails with some others. My take on the book is this--the facts are accurate and should be handled as such, I disagree with the author’s major premise that those who preach Acts 2:38 along side of John 3:5 “water and spirit” are preaching Christianity without the cross. That being said, the major contribution this book brings is a forgotten (or in most cases ignored) tradition of the PCI. Every Oneness believer ought to be familiar with all of the history, not just the selective portions that get passed off as the opinions of the whole.

I also enjoyed taking the time to go through the footnotes, which contain almost as much information as the text itself. If you are short on time, you can get to the heart of the issues in this book by skipping chapters 1, 2, and 6, as chapters 3-5 are the meat of the book and chapter 7 is the author’s conclusion. This book is well worth the time it will take you to read it. If you are like me you may even go back through some of the sections a second or third time.

ninetyandnine.com

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Andrew Degraffenreed is currently living in Virginia Beach, VA with a wonderful wife of 11 years and two kids. He participated in the 10 year degree program at Christian Life College and is currently beginning his first year of Law School at Regent University (planning on the 3 year plan this time).