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And They Came to Elim Volume 2
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 18, 2025
The second volume of the history of the Elim church - and a much needed history too, as there was so much of this history that was not previously covered anywhere else. The timeline has moved on from after the split of the founder, George Jeffreys, showing how the movement responded to this massive challenge, and then leading up to the terrible events of the 1978 Vumba massacre. The author supplements his excellent research with personal knowledge from his own years of ministry as an Elim pastor. He does not, however, hold back from criticism and analysis based on any loyalty to the movement, and so this is a very useful and well referenced piece of historical research.
A third volume is planned, taking us up to the present day, but already this series has added a tremendous amount of detail and drawn together some key events that had only been covered in isolated form in previous works (e.g. a Ph.D, thesis about the split).
It is a niche subject for many. The history of one Pentecostal denomination will hardly be required reading in any school, for instance. But its relevance is very clear to those who are in any way involved in those churches. This volume, however, has wider application. For instance, the well reasoned analysis around the issues of church government raised by the split are definitely worth consideration by anyone debating such matters in other churches, or other organisations generally. And I think the book also shows quite clearly how British Pentecostalism, although close to its American cousin, was always quite distinctive too.
A third volume is planned, taking us up to the present day, but already this series has added a tremendous amount of detail and drawn together some key events that had only been covered in isolated form in previous works (e.g. a Ph.D, thesis about the split).
It is a niche subject for many. The history of one Pentecostal denomination will hardly be required reading in any school, for instance. But its relevance is very clear to those who are in any way involved in those churches. This volume, however, has wider application. For instance, the well reasoned analysis around the issues of church government raised by the split are definitely worth consideration by anyone debating such matters in other churches, or other organisations generally. And I think the book also shows quite clearly how British Pentecostalism, although close to its American cousin, was always quite distinctive too.
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July 1, 2024And They Came to Elim. Volume Two.
So, to a review. In some ways, this was an easier read than Volume One. One cannot fault Maldwyn for doing considerable research, as shown by the list at the end of each chapter.
I know Elim and many of the personalities mentioned throughout many of the pages; however, I wonder what you would make of the book if you did not know about the Elim movement. Maybe someone with no background knowledge will read and review so I can check my thinking.
I found reading the early chapters covering the war period quite strange. It was almost as if there were two worlds, the Elim world and the warring world of WW2. Maybe I am being unfair there, but that was the feeling I had when I read. Yet it is evident that WW2 profoundly affected buildings and people within Elim.
When speaking, I have often used a little trick to assess and demonstrate that people have an immediate picture in mind when you say the name of a person or object. So, I have often asked the question, “What do you know about David in the Bible?” The quick response from audiences is, "He killed Goliath". I was thrown on one occasion when a youngster in the front row of my audience, possibly about seven years old, responded as quick as a flash. He shouted out, "He committed adultery with Bathsheba.” He threw me a curved ball with that one.
Not to say that there are no negatives in this history book. However, it does seem to me that “the David Factor” is missing. Early on, I discovered that my human heroes all had clay feet. (Perhaps a phrase that you might not have heard of. (If you don't get it, read Daniel's account of the statue in the Bible.)
Maybe Maldwyn is correct, and putting in the David factor would, perhaps, create a voyeur approach to history. Nevertheless, it does seem that the mentioned ones, whilst not perfect, are certainly not far from it as the book presents them.
If you are interested in denominational movements, then you should read this second volume.
Adrian Hawkes
29th May 2024
W. 363
So, to a review. In some ways, this was an easier read than Volume One. One cannot fault Maldwyn for doing considerable research, as shown by the list at the end of each chapter.
I know Elim and many of the personalities mentioned throughout many of the pages; however, I wonder what you would make of the book if you did not know about the Elim movement. Maybe someone with no background knowledge will read and review so I can check my thinking.
I found reading the early chapters covering the war period quite strange. It was almost as if there were two worlds, the Elim world and the warring world of WW2. Maybe I am being unfair there, but that was the feeling I had when I read. Yet it is evident that WW2 profoundly affected buildings and people within Elim.
When speaking, I have often used a little trick to assess and demonstrate that people have an immediate picture in mind when you say the name of a person or object. So, I have often asked the question, “What do you know about David in the Bible?” The quick response from audiences is, "He killed Goliath". I was thrown on one occasion when a youngster in the front row of my audience, possibly about seven years old, responded as quick as a flash. He shouted out, "He committed adultery with Bathsheba.” He threw me a curved ball with that one.
Not to say that there are no negatives in this history book. However, it does seem to me that “the David Factor” is missing. Early on, I discovered that my human heroes all had clay feet. (Perhaps a phrase that you might not have heard of. (If you don't get it, read Daniel's account of the statue in the Bible.)
Maybe Maldwyn is correct, and putting in the David factor would, perhaps, create a voyeur approach to history. Nevertheless, it does seem that the mentioned ones, whilst not perfect, are certainly not far from it as the book presents them.
If you are interested in denominational movements, then you should read this second volume.
Adrian Hawkes
29th May 2024
W. 363
June 2, 2023
A fantastic read that sometimes spills into hagiography but more often than not is an honest appraisal of how God has used the movement that is Elim.
The coda is very moving amazing account of the Vuma martyrs.
Does need a little editing should a new edition be released.
Looking forward to Part 3!
The coda is very moving amazing account of the Vuma martyrs.
Does need a little editing should a new edition be released.
Looking forward to Part 3!
July 10, 2025
I don’t know if I left to long between vol 1 and 2 but from what I can remember this vol seemed ‘wooden’ by comparison with vol 1. But it did deal with the split which most members of Elim seem to be ignorantly of. Between George Geoffrey’s and Elim the denomination he founded mostly over British Israelism and also church government.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews