Spirit and Power

The Growth and Global Impact of Pentecostalism

Edited by Donald E. Miller, Kimon H. Sargeant, and Richard Flory

Examines Pentecostalism in a global context
Contains previously unpublished analyses of Pentecostal growth, expansion, and social/political impact
Brings theology/religious beliefs into conversation with social theory

Spirit and Power

The Growth and Global Impact of Pentecostalism

Edited by Donald E. Miller, Kimon H. Sargeant, and Richard Flory

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.

Spirit and Power

The Growth and Global Impact of Pentecostalism

Edited by Donald E. Miller, Kimon H. Sargeant, and Richard Flory

Contributors
Introduction: Pentecostalism as a Global Phenomenon
Donald E. Miller

SECTION 1. Pentecostal Origins: From Azusa Street to Global Networks
Chapter 1: The Emergence of a Multidimensional Global Missionary Movement: Trends, Patterns, and Expressions
Allan Anderson
Chapter 2: Launching a Global Movement: The Role of the Azusa Street in Pentecostalism's Growth and Expansion
Cecil M. Robeck, Jr.

SECTION 2. Why is Pentecostalism Growing?
Chapter 3: Spirited Competition: Pentecostal Success in Latin America's New Religious Marketplace
R. Andrew Chesnut
Chapter 4: The Growth and Development of Non-Catholic Churches in Paraguay
Henri Gooren

SECTION 3. Pentecostalism and Politics
Chapter 5: Pentecostalism and Politics in Latin America: Compromise or Prophetic Witness?
Paul Freston
Chapter 6: Pentecostalism and Democracy: Is There a Relationship?
Robert Woodberry

SECTION 4. Pentecostalism and Social Engagement
Chapter 7: Pentecostals and the New World Order in El Salvador: Separating, Consuming, and Engaging
Timothy Wadkins
Chapter 8: The Metamorphosis of Nigerian Pentecostalism: From Signs and Wonders to Service and Influence in Society
Danny McCain

SECTION 5. Transnational Pentecostalism
Chapter 9: Reconfiguring the Global Religious Economy: The Role of African Pentecostalism
Afe Adogame
Chapter 10: Remittances and Mission: Transnational Latino Pentecostal Ministry in Los Angeles
Juan Martinez

SECTION 6. Gendered Pentecostalism
Chapter 11: Beautiful Feet: Women Leaders and the Shaping of Global Pentecostalism
Estrelda Alexander
Chapter 12: Constructing Gender within Global Pentecostalism: Contrasting Case Studies in Colombia and South Africa
Katherine L. Attanasi

SECTION 7. Spirit/Power
Chapter 13: Gifts of the Spirit: Reflections on Pentecostalism and Its Growth in Asia
William Kay
Chapter 14: Prophecy, Empowerment and Godly Love: The Spirit Factor in the Growth of Pentecostalism
Margaret Poloma and Matthew T. Lee
Conclusion: Pentecostalism in Global Perspective
Richard Flory and Kimon H. Sargeant

Appendix. By the Numbers: The Global Expansion of Pentecostalism
1. Global Pentecostal Demographics
Todd Johnson
2. Pentecostal Growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America: Findings from a Ten Country Survey
John Green

Index

Spirit and Power

The Growth and Global Impact of Pentecostalism

Edited by Donald E. Miller, Kimon H. Sargeant, and Richard Flory

Author Information

Donald E. Miller is Firestone Professor of Religion and executive director of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California. He has written or edited nine books, including Global Pentecostalism: The New Face of Christian Social Engagement (with Tetsunao Yamamori).

Kimon H. Sargeant is Vice President, Human Sciences at the John Templeton Foundation, and the author of Seeker Churches: Promoting Traditional Religion in a Non-Traditional Way.

Richard Flory is Associate Research Professor of Sociology and director of research in the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California. He is the author of three books, most recently Growing up in America: The Power of Race in the Lives of Teens.

Contributors:

Afe Adogame, University of Edinburgh
Estrelda Alexander, Regent University School of Divinity
Allan Anderson, Centre for New Religious Movements, Selly Oak Colleges
Katherine Attanasi, Luther College
R. Andrew Chesnut, Virginia Commonwealth University
Paul Freston, Wilfrid Laurier University
John C. Green, University of Akron
Henri Gooren, Oakland University
Todd M. Johnson, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
William Kay, Bangor University
Matthew T. Lee, University of Akron
Juan Martínez, Fuller Theological Seminary
Danny McCain, International Institute for Christian Studies
Margaret M. Poloma, University of Akron
Cecil M. Robeck, Fuller Theological Seminary
Robert Woodberry, National University of Singapore
Timothy H. Wadkins, Canisius College

Spirit and Power

The Growth and Global Impact of Pentecostalism

Edited by Donald E. Miller, Kimon H. Sargeant, and Richard Flory

Reviews and Awards

"Spirit and Power signals the scholarly coming age of the study of global Pentecostalism . a spectacular achievement."--Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion

"Spirit and Power makes a much need scholarly contribution to the study of global Pentecostalism... This volume sets the standard for a more sophisticated, multidimensional, and diverse comprehension of the growth and impact of global Pentecostalism."--Journal of the American Academy of Religion

"The twenty contributors to this volume are diverse in nationality, professional background, and academic disciplines... These valuable essays explicate this fastest growing segment of Christianity--renewalists." --CHOICE

"Amazing as it might have seemed a generation ago, we now have to reckon Pentecostal Christianity as one of the most successful and transformative global movements of the twentieth century. Fortunately, the topic has attracted some really first class scholarship, which is amply represented in Spirit and Power. This is a rich and multi-faceted collection of studies. Readable and, often, inspiring." ---Philip Jenkins, author of The Next Christendom

"Pentecostalism is indeed global and growing, and this volume makes a valuable contribution toward understanding how and why that is the case." --Sociology of Religion

"This is an extremely important book for everyone who takes religion seriously..." --Pneuma