Description
Pentecostalism is the fastest growing religious movement in the world, currently estimated to have at least 500 million adherents. In the movement's early years, most Pentecostal converts lived in relative poverty, yet the rapidly shifting social ecology of Pentecostal Christians includes many middle-class individuals, as well as an increasing number of young adults attracted by the music and vibrant worship of these churches. The stereotypical view of Pentecostals as "other-worldly" and disengaged from politics and social ministry is also being challenged, as Pentecostals-including many who are committed to working for social and political change-constitute growing minorities in many countries. Spirit and Power addresses three main questions: Where is Pentecostalism growing globally? Why it is growing? What is its social and political impact? The contributors to this volume include theologians, historians, and social scientists, who bring their diverse disciplinary perspectives to bear on these empirical questions. The essays draw on extensive survey research as well as in-depth ethnographic field methods, with analyses offering diverging and sometimes competing explanations for the growth and impact of Pentecostalism around the world.
Table of Contents
ContributorsIntroduction: Pentecostalism as a Global PhenomenonDonald E. Miller SECTION 1. Pentecostal Origins: From Azusa Street to Global NetworksChapter 1: The Emergence of a Multidimensional Global Missionary Movement: Trends, Patterns, and ExpressionsAllan AndersonChapter 2: Launching a Global Movement: The Role of the Azusa Street in Pentecostalism's Growth and ExpansionCecil M. Robeck, Jr.SECTION 2. Why is Pentecostalism Growing?Chapter 3: Spirited Competition: Pentecostal Success in Latin America's New Religious MarketplaceR. Andrew ChesnutChapter 4: The Growth and Development of Non-Catholic Churches in ParaguayHenri GoorenSECTION 3. Pentecostalism and PoliticsChapter 5: Pentecostalism and Politics in Latin America: Compromise or Prophetic Witness?Paul FrestonChapter 6: Pentecostalism and Democracy: Is There a Relationship?Robert WoodberrySECTION 4. Pentecostalism and Social EngagementChapter 7: Pentecostals and the New World Order in El Salvador: Separating, Consuming, and EngagingTimothy WadkinsChapter 8: The Metamorphosis of Nigerian Pentecostalism: From Signs and Wonders to Service and Influence in SocietyDanny McCainSECTION 5. Transnational PentecostalismChapter 9: Reconfiguring the Global Religious Economy: The Role of African PentecostalismAfe AdogameChapter 10: Remittances and Mission: Transnational Latino Pentecostal Ministry in Los AngelesJuan MartinezSECTION 6. Gendered Pentecostalism Chapter 11: Beautiful Feet: Women Leaders and the Shaping of Global PentecostalismEstrelda AlexanderChapter 12: Constructing Gender within Global Pentecostalism: Contrasting Case Studies in Colombia and South AfricaKatherine L. AttanasiSECTION 7. Spirit/PowerChapter 13: Gifts of the Spirit: Reflections on Pentecostalism and Its Growth in AsiaWilliam KayChapter 14: Prophecy, Empowerment and Godly Love: The Spirit Factor in the Growth of PentecostalismMargaret Poloma and Matthew T. LeeConclusion: Pentecostalism in Global Perspective Richard Flory and Kimon H. SargeantAppendix. By the Numbers: The Global Expansion of Pentecostalism1. Global Pentecostal Demographics Todd Johnson2. Pentecostal Growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America: Findings from a Ten Country SurveyJohn GreenIndex
