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Perfect Harmony: Interracial Churches in Early Holiness-Pentecostalism, 1880-1909
"What made it possible for Frank Bartleman to say 'the color line was washed away in the blood!' at Azusa Street? Joseph Thomas uncovers how the interracialism of early modern Pentecostalism was inspired by the sanctified unity ecclesiological vision of older Wesleyan, Holiness, and other restorationist traditions of the late 19th century. Perfect Harmony is mandatory reading now not only for historians and theologians of these movements but also for those engaged in contemporary discussions - even debates - in ecumenical theology and theology of race." Amos Yong, PhD, Professor of Theology and Mission and Director of Center for Missiological Research, Fuller Theological Seminary
- GenresChurch History
138 pages, Paperback
First published May 29, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 5, 2021
The story of the radical holiness movement of the late 1800s through early 1900s that culminated with the Azusa Street revival. This is a scholarly review of the topic - not an easy read, but the documentation is excellent and it is an important story. In a time of blatant racism, people who sought to follow Jesus were empowered to join across racial, ethnic, and social classes to come together. And it worked only so long as that remained central.
August 14, 2022
As the subtitle to Thomas’ book indicates (Interracial Churches in Early Holiness-Pentecostalism, 1880-1909), the book examines the sadly short period of racial unity in the late 19th and early 20th century. Seeing denominationalism as the source of many of the divisions (both spiritual and racial) in the church, they sought a restored vision of the biblical church. Thomas specifically cites the “sanctified unity” of the Wesleyan wing of the Holiness-Pentecostal movement based on the second blessing rather than primarily on ecclesiological unity.
Chapter 1 is a historical review of the emergence of the radical holiness movement in both its social context and historical background, calling the interracial and multiethnic churches of that movement, “one of the most compelling epochs in the history of race and ethnic relations in the American church” (p.13).
Chapter 2 examines the influence of these emerging interracial churches on the development of Wesleyan theology, examining the doctrine of entire sanctification, the experience of holiness, and restorationism. Multiethnic and interracial churches was their attempt to “remake the church after the biblical model” (p.54).
Chapter 3 examines in greater detail the ecclesiology of this sanctified unity the churches sought to live out in the world, avoiding sectism and seeking interracial unity in their attempt to restore NT unity in an era of denominationalism.
Chapters 4 and 5 look at the movement from the perspective of the holiness radical saints and the Azusa Street Revival from 1906-1909. The leaders of the revival sought to make visible the restoration of the true NT ecclesiology.
Sadly, the racial unity of these movements was short lived. The leaders of these churches succumbed to the pressures of “American apartheid” (p.106) and opted for the practical solution of a return to racial segregation within the church.
Thomas provides a thorough examination of these movements, including many valuable primary and secondary sources for further reading. Having little background in these movements, I found this book to be eye-opening. I appreciated the author’s desire to bring to light this time of unity in a portion of the American church. Ultimately, it left me wondering what practical point there is to be gained from it. What can those of us not part of that tradition do to bring back this kind of racial and ethnic unity. I wish the author had spent more time on some practical lessons to be learned.
Chapter 1 is a historical review of the emergence of the radical holiness movement in both its social context and historical background, calling the interracial and multiethnic churches of that movement, “one of the most compelling epochs in the history of race and ethnic relations in the American church” (p.13).
Chapter 2 examines the influence of these emerging interracial churches on the development of Wesleyan theology, examining the doctrine of entire sanctification, the experience of holiness, and restorationism. Multiethnic and interracial churches was their attempt to “remake the church after the biblical model” (p.54).
Chapter 3 examines in greater detail the ecclesiology of this sanctified unity the churches sought to live out in the world, avoiding sectism and seeking interracial unity in their attempt to restore NT unity in an era of denominationalism.
Chapters 4 and 5 look at the movement from the perspective of the holiness radical saints and the Azusa Street Revival from 1906-1909. The leaders of the revival sought to make visible the restoration of the true NT ecclesiology.
Sadly, the racial unity of these movements was short lived. The leaders of these churches succumbed to the pressures of “American apartheid” (p.106) and opted for the practical solution of a return to racial segregation within the church.
Thomas provides a thorough examination of these movements, including many valuable primary and secondary sources for further reading. Having little background in these movements, I found this book to be eye-opening. I appreciated the author’s desire to bring to light this time of unity in a portion of the American church. Ultimately, it left me wondering what practical point there is to be gained from it. What can those of us not part of that tradition do to bring back this kind of racial and ethnic unity. I wish the author had spent more time on some practical lessons to be learned.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews