Babylon and the Bride

: Toward a Canadian Pentecostal Eschatology

Abstract

The role of eschatology in the historic development of Classical Pentecostal identity has been well researched. Present scholarly contributions, however, are limited to studies focused on U.S. expressions of the Pentecostal movement. In response, this work examines the development of eschatology within Canadian Pentecostalism from 1902-present, with an eye to contemporary theological and praxiological implications. This study also explores how Canadian Pentecostal views of eschatology compare to their U.S. counterparts, particularly in view of Larry R. McQueen’s findings in Toward a Pentecostal Eschatology: Discerning a Way Forward. Also circulating in the background of this issue is a scholarly awareness that current models of Pentecostal eschatology, which primarily focus on Classical Dispensational motifs are historically incongruent with Pentecostalism and hermeneutically dubious. Utilizing the methodology of Kimberly Alexander, this study surveys the periodical literature of Canada’s three major English-speaking Wesleyan-Holiness and Finished Work Pentecostal expressions (and some of their antecedents): The Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland and Labrador, The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, and The Apostolic Church of Pentecost. It is clear from this survey that all three major expressions of Canadian Pentecostalism were – to varying levels – eschatologically pragmatic. Canadian Pentecostals, whether Wesleyan-Holiness or Finished Work, embraced both restorationist motifs – such as the Latter Rain – and Classical Dispensational tropes. This contrasts with their U.S. counterparts, where Wesleyan-Holiness Pentecostals were pragmatic while Finished Work Pentecostals were exclusively invested in Classical Dispensationalism. The unifying theological themes that existed across all major expressions of English-speaking Canadian Pentecostals was obsessive anticipation of eschatological Babylon and their own role as the Bride of Christ. As such, this work revisions Canadian Pentecostal eschatology as a struggle between Babylon and the Bride of Christ. Babylon represents the hegemonic, oppressive, monolithic, and seductive systems of this world. The Bride of Christ, as those Spirit Baptized at Pentecost, represents God’s ultimate version of hegemony, which is peace-filled, self-giving, and rooted in diversity. The Bride is thus called out from Babylon’s seductive ways and called to challenge its hegemonic oppression by witnessing to God’s coming peaceful global Kingdom in the present.

Date of Award	14 Jul 2026
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Bangor University
Supervisor	Chris Thomas (Supervisor)