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No branch of Christianity has grown more rapidly than Pentecostalism, especially in the southern hemisphere. There are over 100 million Pentecostals in Africa. In Latin America, Pentecostalism now vies with Catholicism for the soul of the continent, and some of the largest pentecostal congregations in the world are in South Korea.In To the Ends of the Earth, Allan Heaton Anderson explores the historical and theological factors behind
the phenomenal growth of global Pentecostalism. Anderson argues that its spread is so dramatic because it is an "ends of the earth" movement--pentecostals believe that they are called to be witnesses for Jesus
Christ to the furthest reaches of the globe. His wide-ranging account examines such topics as the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles, the role of the first missionaries in China, India, and Africa, Pentecostalism's incredible diversity due to its deep local roots, and the central role of women in the movement. He describes more recent developments such as the creation of new independent churches, megachurches, and the "health and wealth" gospel, and he explores the increasing involvement of
pentecostals in public and political affairs across the globe. Why is this movement so popular? Anderson points to such features as the emphasis on the Spirit, the "born-again" experience, incessant
evangelism, healing and deliverance, cultural flexibility, a place-to-feel-at-home, religious continuity, an egalitarian community, and meeting material needs--all of which contribute to Pentecostalism's remarkable appeal.Exploring more than a century of history and ranging across most of the globe, Anderson illuminates the spectacular rise of global Pentecostalism and shows how it changed the face of Christianity worldwide.
No branch of Christianity has grown more rapidly than Pentecostalism, especially in the southern hemisphere. There are over 100 million Pentecostals in Africa. In Latin America, Pentecostalism now vies with Catholicism for the soul of the continent, and some of the largest pentecostal congregations in the world are in South Korea.In To the Ends of the Earth, Allan Heaton Anderson explores the historical and theological factors behind
the phenomenal growth of global Pentecostalism. Anderson argues that its spread is so dramatic because it is an "ends of the earth" movement--pentecostals believe that they are called to be witnesses for Jesus
Christ to the furthest reaches of the globe. His wide-ranging account examines such topics as the Azusa Street revival in Los Angeles, the role of the first missionaries in China, India, and Africa, Pentecostalism's incredible diversity due to its deep local roots, and the central role of women in the movement. He describes more recent developments such as the creation of new independent churches, megachurches, and the "health and wealth" gospel, and he explores the increasing involvement of
pentecostals in public and political affairs across the globe. Why is this movement so popular? Anderson points to such features as the emphasis on the Spirit, the "born-again" experience, incessant
evangelism, healing and deliverance, cultural flexibility, a place-to-feel-at-home, religious continuity, an egalitarian community, and meeting material needs--all of which contribute to Pentecostalism's remarkable appeal.Exploring more than a century of history and ranging across most of the globe, Anderson illuminates the spectacular rise of global Pentecostalism and shows how it changed the face of Christianity worldwide.
Abbreviations
Introducing the Oxford Series
Introduction
Chapter One: Revivalist Precedents
Chapter Two: Origins and Organization
Chapter Three: Mission and Migration
Chapter Four: Women and Family
Chapter Five: The Bible and Community
Chapter Six: The Full Gospel
Chapter Seven: Transformation and Independence
Chapter Eight: Charisma and Faith
Conclusions
Notes
Bibliography
Index
Allan Heaton Anderson is Professor of Global Pentecostal Studies at the University of Birmingham. He was a full-time Pentecostal minister with over two decades of activism in Southern African Pentecostalism. His books include Studying Global Pentecostalism, Spreading Fires: The Missionary Nature of Early Pentecostalism, and An Introduction to Pentecostalism.
"Numerous books have addressed the subject of global pentecostal
growth in recent years. Allan Anderson's is uniquely valuable
because it manages, in a concise and easily readable narrative, to
trace a truly global history of pentecostalism's origins,
characteristic features, and local variations . To the Ends of the
Earth will interest a wide variety of readers including instructors
and students (undergraduate as well as graduate) in courses on
world
religions, introductions to Christianity, and globalization.
Overall, this is an excellent volume that should be of great use to
many readers who want to understand the causes and implications
of
pentecostalism's global expansion." --Journal of Religion
"As it encourages readers towards a global perspective, the book
will benefit several audiences.... To the Ends of the Earth could
serve as a text for either undergraduate or graduate courses on
global Pentecostal history or theology." --Encounter: Journal for
Pentecostal Ministry
"Worldwide, Pentecostal Christianity may be the greatest success
story of the past century, and the movement continues to grow
mightily in numbers. How very valuable, then, to have such an
ambitious and user-friendly guide to this global expansion, written
by one of the greatest scholars of the phenomenon. To the Ends of
the Earth is a really excellent book, which somehow manages to
remain judicious and critical in the face of the amazing
spiritual
explosion it depicts."--Philip Jenkins, Institute for Studies of
Religion, Baylor University
"Given the importance of Pentecostal and charismatic forms of faith
in Christian expansion worldwide, Anderson s book is valuable and
timely. He integrates historical and theological discussion into a
remarkably concise account with an impressive global sweep and is
properly critical of his subject where appropriate." --The
Christian Century
"An intriguing, well-documented, and thoroughly researched book...
In this highly readable, flowing narrative, Anderson's writing is
engaging and insightful... lively and lucid."--CHOICE
"[A] sweeping historical survey . . . gives a sympathetic and
insightful explanation of how all these diverse traditions have
found their way onto the global stage." --Christianity Today
"[A} story is told with admirable clarity and detail." --The
Economist
"Today, more than 100 million Africans belong to Pentecostal
churches, making Anderson's book essential reading for anyone
interested in the sociology of contemporary Africa."
--Foreign Affairs
"Admittedly, contemporary religious history is a moving target as
attempts to count the growth of Pentecostalism is a much debated
and convoluted study. But Anderson does well in bringing the reader
into a clearer picture of how the Christian scene has changed in
the Global South. This makes To the Ends an important supplement to
that of writers such as Philip Jenkins and Lamin Sanneh by focusing
attention on that segment of Christianity where
tremendous growth has occurred." --Nova Religio
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