Congregacionais entre o protestantismo reformado e o pentecostalismo: o fenômeno da pentecostalização e o caso das Igrejas Evangélicas Congregacionais Vale da Bênção.

Abstract

In this dissertation we problematize the phenomenon of Pentecostalization of “historical Protestantism”, based on a case study of a Church in the subfield of the congregationals. Analyzing factors internal and external to the evangelical field, which potentiated the emergence of this socio-religious phenomenon, we built our theoretical perspective based on (1) the historical-sociological approach to the conceptualization of Pentecostalism, Pentecostality and Pentecostalization, placing it in interface with the theory of hybridism cultural, as formulated by Canclini and Burke; (2) in the concept of pentecostality, as formulated by Morante; and (3) in contributions by McGrath, Mendonça, Hervieu-Léger, Bittencourt Filho, Guerra, Campos, Freston, Rivera, Berger, and Almeida, among other authors. Still in conceptual terms, we used the historical-theological studies of Dayton, Synan and Siqueira, to problematize the discursive pattern that we call the Pentecostal quadrilateral, which gives tone to the social imagery of the Pentecostal Movement. In terms of methodology, we studied the case of the Congregational Evangelical Churches Vale da Bênção de Caruaru, conducting semi-structured interviews with an intentional sample of pastors and congregational leaders, in addition to a documentary research. Among the main conclusions of our research, we highlight the following: (1) the Spiritual Renewal Movement promoted an intense process of cultural hybridization, through which evangelicals from other evangelical denominations assimilated discourses, practices and symbolic goods of the Pentecostal matrix; (2) among the congregation, the Pentecostal phenomenon caused conflicts and tensions that culminated in the creation of a new denominational organization and renewed congregational communities, in which the Pentecostal paradigm aligned with the congregational tradition, giving contours to the charismatic congregational culture and religious identity; and (3) the case of congregational Pentecostalization is related to other socio-religious dynamics and coexists with resistances, tensions and reinventions of the reformed tradition of Brazilian congregationalism.