Word: seymour
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...very interested in the Crimson article (Jan. 8) on the new Pentacostal association founded last year by a small group of Harvard Black students--the Seymour Society. Christian activity has always been central to the life of Afro-Americans and has offered Blacks one of their most viable connections with American society and culture, as well as providing Blacks their first experience with managing soverign institutions. But Christian activity has also offered Blacks and whites one of the few viable means for bridging the differences that have divided them in our racist civilization. From the early endeavors to educate Afro...
...unfortunate, I feel, that the new Seymour Society leaders display no awareness of this important cross-ethnic or cross-racial function that has been a crucial part of Afro-American Christianity. It is, I think, a feature of the Afro-American Christian tradition that the new Seymour Soceity, if it really wants to do something innovative, might consider rehabilitating...
Today, Harvard's Seymour Society is decidedly pentecostal in orientation. To group members, "pentecostal" does not refer to a specific denomination but, rather, to those Christians who believe the Holy Spirit is still alive as presented in the New Testament. They believe in the power of baptism in the Holy gifts: among them, healing, prophecy, and speaking in tongues...
...allow itself to fall into the trap of intellectual structures?" Miller asks. "These intellectuals are supposedly representing the masses of Black people, and of Black Christians specifically. Particularly, the Gospel must be translated and actualized." To Miller, the actualization of the Gospel means a radical transformation of society. The Seymour Society as a whole is not as radical as Miller, though some members find their scriptural studies leading them toward the conclusion that the realization of Christian principles will necessitate a revolution. While the society encompasses many social and economic viewpoints, the members hold in common ideals and philosophies stemming...
Clearly the idea of revolution does not dominate the discussions of the Seymour Society members. Instead, it continues, in its first year, to focus on the inward processes of Christianity. People may try to handle problems solely on the basis of a mental and emotional self-examination, but Bowen says, "it always seems to come back down to personal transformation, accepting Christ as one's personal Savior. Unless there is a mechanism for doing that which the Bible clearly offers, unless there is an underlying principle to which you can be committed, you're getting nowhere...