Book Notes 4

For the 4th book notes I read the first 6 chapters of Global Pentacostalism. An interesting read since it covers the more recent expressions of the barely more than a century old church system. The author calls these expressions Progressive Pentacostalism.

Chapter 1 - This chapter is really an extension of the introductory material of the book and lays the author's foundation for what is being said through the rest of the work. The book identifies four key types of Pentecostal churches that include actual denominations, independent churches, prosperity churches, and renewal movements. The author postulates in this chapter why Pentecostalism is so successful and states that it may be in large part because it addresses many areas of life that the modern world view fails to address.

Chapter 2 - This chapter was incredibly fascinating to me. I grew up in Oklahoma and am not unfamiliar with Pentecostalism. What I am familiar with though is the very legalistic forms that it takes. However, this book is very clear in stating that Progressive Pentecostals are increasingly NOT legalistic although there still remains significant pockets of those that are. This chapter actually explains in good detail the different way that Pentecostal churches have begun to formulate a theology of holism. This is incredibly interesting since the foundation of the church in the early years was to focus specifically on the heavenly realm. Ideas like top-down evangelism flowed from such beliefs. The clear line between Pentecostals and Progressive Pentecostals is drawn in this chapter and it is a line that is incredibly intriguing. Again, the key issue is the theology of holism.

Chapter 3 - A wealth of information of Pentecostal ministry is located within this chapter. The authors focus on different ways the progressives have formed ministries to reach children. Several examples are given where the main focus was on the unconditional love of the child. This is in sharp contrast to the 'purity' model where the main focus would be to reject those who might be considered to be engaged in sinful behavior.

Chapter 4 - This chapter is similar in structure to the 3rd, but it mainly focuses on the Pentecostals work with the drug addicted. Here, the issues of healing is presented as well. In many of the ministries the supernatural intervention of the Holy Spirit in the overcoming of addiction is highlighted if not directly emphasized. The authors share several dramatic stories in order to fuller demonstrate this side of Pentecostalism.

Chapter 5 - This chapter is a bit more analytical and seeks to determine the nature and function of Pentecostal worship. One of the main conclusions made is that it is communal. The authors feel that the outward expression of faith in Pentecostal worship is not only communication with God and individuals, but between the individuals in the congregation as well. One of the specific examples the chapter gives is how people begin to sermonize when they are praying. In this way, they are communicating both corporately and with God.

Chapter 6 - The authors use Max Weber's ideas of the Protestant Work Ethic in order to analyze how Pentecostalism changes lives. One example they show is that economic progress is an unintended benefit of a changed life. If one comes out of drug addiction etc., then the money spent on those items can now be saved and put toward things that will improve ones stature in the economic realm. The authors also claim that Pentecostalism's strong notion of the priesthood of all believers empowers people to have a strong sense of identity and to fully participate in the community. The authors see Pentecostal churches as the formation of civil society as much as they see it as a church. Intriguing.