What is it about?
This article argues that several elements of the pentecostal worldview have the potential for positive impact in politics and may explain aspects of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s electoral success. Morrison effectively leveraged his pentecostal experience and convictions to advantage through strong leadership, practical pragmatism, marketing acumen, and a narrative of hope. Here, in a morass of indecision and “policy-free” political elites, was someone who believed in something.
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Why is it important?
After a rapid succession of prime ministers destabilized the political landscape, Scott Morrison brought a practical pragmatism that focused on action and outcomes over ideology. For too long, Morrison’s pentecostal beliefs and heritage have been portrayed as an encumbrance to effective policy-making and governing. We believe this is an ill-informed and unfair portrayal of pentecostalism. Whatever one thinks of Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and, to be sure, he has his detractors, his pentecostal faith can just as easily inspire and empower his leadership.
Perspectives
Strong leadership, practical pragmatism, marketing acumen, and a narrative of hope are characteristic of the pentecostal movement in Australia. While we acknowledge that each of these features has the potential for both good and evil, we suggest that they also have the potential to outwork themselves positively within the political sphere.
Denise Austin
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Politics and Pentecostalism in Australia, Pneuma, March 2022, Brill,
DOI: 10.1163/15700747-bja10009.
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