Pentecostal Beliefs and Values: Exploring “Middle Axioms” as Public Theology

Social ethicists in the twentieth century attempted to construct a bridge between specific Christian beliefs and societal values through the articulation of general principles or axioms, sometimes referred to as “middle axioms.” The Church of England in its attempt to find points of contact with wider social thought has used “values” as part of an intentional process to move from specific Christian beliefs to more general values to public policies and then to concrete practices. This means it attempts to find values that are authentically Christian rather than distinctively Christian. These core values are: (1) the affirmation of life; (2) care for the vulnerable; (3) building a cohesive and compassionate society; and (4) respecting individuals. It is suggested that these values constitute a set of middle axioms for public engagement and make a contribution to public theology. In the light of this example, the chapter will evaluate this construct and then consider how Pentecostal beliefs can inform potential middle axioms. Although this approach arises from an English context, its construction is applicable to wider European contexts. Therefore, it seeks to explore how authentic and distinctive beliefs can contribute to the discussion of common values.