More than 520 million persons worldwide have embraced some aspects of the Pentecostal/Charismatic renewal movement. This is their story, beginning on the first day of January, 1901. Complete with over 100 vignettes and photographs, this unique volume explores the roots and growth of this movement of the Holy Spirit throughout the twentieth century. Vinson Synan has compiled the definitive history, both for those inside and outside the movement. Separate chapters explore the role of women, African-American, Hispanics, faith healers, televangelists, and more. Each chapter is written by an authority on the subject. A four-color, detachable foldout timeline highlights key events throughout each decade of the century. A genealogy tree allows you to trace the origins of all major groups and testimony of the hand of God on the church in the recent past and a preview of things yet to come for the future.
An in-depth look at a movement that now includes 500 million persons.
A definitive history for Pentecostals and Charismatics.
An intriguing ready reference for persons outside the movement.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
2 of 2 Reviews Showing:
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by M Connolly (Ireland), July 28, 2009
I liked this book. The writing is scholarly and readable. The Contributors come for Charismatic/Pentecostal backgrounds and from non C/P and so there is a nice mix. However some of the claims - as to worldwide numbers - are open to challenge. But for the most part Synan knows what he is talking about, not just from the point of view of a research scholar, but from his own personal 'experience' (no pun intended). And as a history of the movements, it is very good; concise, well written and reasonably comprehensive for it's remit.
The chapter on "The Azusa Street Revival: The Pentecostal Movement begins in America" (chap.3) by Robert Owens, is one of the best introductions to how it all began that I have read on the subject.
And Ed Harrell's chapter - "Healers and Televangelists After World War II" - is up to his usual consummate brilliance on the topic. There is no one who knows more, or writes better on the topic.
My only proviso (and hence 4 1/2 stars) is that the final chapter by David Barrett on "The Worldwide Holy Spirit Renewal" could have been more comprehensive, despite being one of the longer chapters. This is not a criticism of the author (I presume editorial constraints were at work) I would have liked to see him deal more with non-North American developments. But seeing as the P/C movement is predominantly American in its origin and its financial base, this was understandable.
A good read, and a book to be recommended.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Arlene Ghilardi (Endwell, NY), December 04, 2008
This is an excellent resource covering anyone who had anything to do with the Pentecostal/Charismatic movements. Just reading this rich history imparts a hunger to want the movement of the Holy Spirit in our day.
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