An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity

Introduction to Religion

by Allan Anderson

Pentecostalism is the fastest expanding religious movement in the world today. Allan Anderson makes more visible its "non-Western" nature, without overlooking the importance of the movement emanating from North America. Concentrating on its history and theology, Anderson reflects on the movement's development and significance throughout the world. He explores those theological issues that helped form a distinctive spirituality and relates them to different peoples and cultures.

Genres: Theology, Church History

318 pages, Hardcover

First published May 13, 2004

Reviews

[Stephen Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearly fifty years ago Walter Hollenweger published The Pentecostals, a survey of Pentecostal Christianity throughout the world at the beginning of the 1970s. In this book Allan Anderson brings the story up to date, and there has been quite a lot of updating to do since Hollenweger's book was written.

Back then the main form of Pentecostalism was what is now called "classical" Pentecostalism, represented in South Africa by denominations such as the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM/AGS), the Full Gospel Church and the Assemblies of God. The AFM had early on opted for racial segregation, so that black Pentecostalism was largely found among various (and numerous) Zionist and Apostolic denominations. The charismatic renewal movement was just beginning among the "mainline" denominations, and there were a few noteworthy smaller branches like the Latter Rain movement (Blourokkies) and others.

Since Hollenweger's book there has also been a proliferation of denominations that have often been called "Neopentecostal" to distinguish them from the "classical" Pentecostals. The characteristic feature of the classical Pentecostals was their emphasis on the experience of baptism in the Holy Spirit with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues. Neopentecostals have placed less emphasis on tongues, and treat other spiritual gifts as equally important.

There have been several different streams of Neopentecostalism. There has been the rise of megachurches on the one had, and small house churches on the other, and sometimes both have been combined. Some of the Neopentecostals have adopted "prosperity theology".

In Southern Africa, certainly, the perception of "mainline" Christianity has changed drastically from what it was in 1970. Whatever it may have been back then, the general public perception of Christianity fifty years later is of a kind of generic Protestantism featuring a Neopentecostal church, large or small, dominated by a "pastor", and preaching a prosperity gospel.

Allan Anderson's book gives a broad survey of these trends, and gives a picture of Pentecostalism throughout the world in the second decade of the 21st century. Like it or like it not, this is what it is and this is what is happening. Obviously he could not give a detailed picture in a book of a little over 300 pages, but there is a comprehensive bibliography for those who would like to know more.

[Kathryn B]

For my summer research - A good introductory history to a slippery topic.

He does go a bit far in trying to show how global pentecostalisms are distinct from US influenced pentecostalism, particularly in being more oriented around social action. I think it is important to credit Pentecostalism’s real popular appeal outside of US influence, and his excitement for the potential of a “Pentecostal theology of liberation” is infectious, but many of the problems of corruption, abuse, and reactionary conservative politics have duplicated themselves in pentecostal communities around the globe. I like the idea of meeting dominionism on its own terms though.

Really prescient remark on how the more fanatical demonologic tendencies of the spiritual warfarists could be particularly dangerous when paired with the reactionary politics of the far right (hello J6)

“The spiritual worldview of most societies is a personal, interrelated universe in which a person as a living force is dependent upon all other forces for survival. The emphasis on receiving the power of the Spirit, a power greater than any other power threatening this survival, is good news.”

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A somewhat academic book whose first half was rather dry with a review of many dates and names of significant people and events in 20th century Pentecostalism worldwide. The second half was much more interesting as it dives into penetcostal theology and how it has been contextualized in various cultures around the world (which Anderson points out is a major strength of Pentecostalism - its ability to relate to and meet the felt needs of various cultures and contexts). This examination of Pentecostal theology gave much food for thought and challenged the reader to consider what is at the core of Pentecostalism and what needs to be retained as the movement further identifies with Evangelicalism, especially in the west.