I have been a fan of Star Trek since childhood. I love the crew of the Enterprise. The bridge crew represents the best of humanity and the diversity of humanity. As a child, I dreamed of graduating from Starfleet Academy. Captain Kirk was my hero. Dr. “Bones” McCoy reminded me of our family doctor. But the character with whom I most identified was Mr. Spock. In fact, I have recently referred to myself as a Vulcan Pentecostal.
Most Pentecostals resemble Captain Kirk or Dr. McCoy. Captain Kirk is the heroic, charismatic, passionate, and sometimes reckless leader of the Enterprise. Dr. McCoy is dedicated, somewhat grouchy, and sometimes given to emotional outbursts. But then there is Mr. Spock from Vulcan.
Vulcans practice the discipline of logic and favor rationalism. Vulcans believe emotion is the source of great conflict, so they seek to restrain emotion. Even so, beneath their calm demeanor is great passion. As fans of Star Trek know, Mr. Spock is half Vulcan and half Tehran – he has a Vulcan father and a human mother. As a result, his inner emotional conflicts are complex and magnified.
You might be asking, “How can one be a Vulcan Pentecostal?” Well, first we should remember that the apostle Paul told us that one of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Likewise, the ancient sages who gave us Proverbs warned against emotional excess. During my decades of ministry I’ve met several Pentecostals who would’ve benefited from Mr. Spock’s advice to Dr. McCoy: “Really doctor, you must learn to govern your passions. They will be your undoing” (Star Trek – The Wrath of Khan).
Also, from Paul and James we learn that knowledge and wisdom are spiritual gifts that should be earnestly desired. Vulcans are renowned as the sages of the cosmos. A wise person learns to offer careful responses. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly” (Proverbs 14:29 ESV). Through the years I have daily prayed for wisdom and patience. The spiritual gift I have most coveted has been discernment. I can only hope that God has graciously heard my cries.
Even as Mr. Spock tried to restrain his emotional responses there were times that joy or even desperation burst forth. The truth is that I am not a Vulcan. I love to laugh. I am easily moved to tears. I am not near as disciplined as I should be (especially when it comes to eating).
According to the Myers-Briggs personality assessment I am an INTJ – Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, Judgement (discerning). I am a logical intuitive introvert. That means things, and people, have to make sense to me. I have a low tolerance for spin and rampant emotionalism. I really abhor catchphrases and sloganeering which means I find most Pentecostal preaching, and especially political speeches, to be unhelpful.
INTJ personality types are rare comprising less than 2% of the population. So, I am very aware that many of my Pentecostal colleagues often misunderstand me. When in church I am unlikely to be demonstrative, but I am often deeply moved. I prefer silence over noise, tears over shouting. But I love Pentecostal worship and spirituality. Every time I worship in a non-Pentecostal church I am reminded why I am Pentecostal.
Like Mr. Spock on the bridge of the Enterprise, I may sometimes appear to be out of place. But I am where I belong. Live long and prosper!
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