Skip to main content

Global Pentecostalism

The widespread usage of globalization in the public suggests it has become more than a theoretical idea. Numerous scholars have debated its definition, history, social characteristics, culture, and consequences for the world. What is often missing from many analyses is a thorough understanding of religion in global society. For some, religion is simply a survival of a traditional social world that will eventually disappear due to secularization. This is evidenced by religious violence, intolerance, protest, and the general refusal of religions to accept a new global order. There is evidence to suggest that religions are anti-global. Some cases also illustrate that religions are globalizers. Through migration and missionary work religions expand throughout the world.  Religion can be transformative.

Globalization requires a new optic to think about religion and its role in global society. Pentecostalism is not the only window into the world of social change. However, it is a particular type of religion that can be found everywhere. Pentecostalism's universal quality is particularized revealing its global and local character. Pentecostalism is also highly controversial. In some places of the world it is at war with Islam. In some regions of the world it is practiced in a holistic way meeting the needs of local communities. There is no single version of Pentecostalism and yet there is a family resemblance.

Global Pentecostalism problematizes traditional theories and methods for the study of religion. It requires scholars to rethink what they know about religion, human agency, and society. This site will explore theoretical and methodological issues as they relate to religion generally and Pentecostalism particularly. Debate and discussion about the nature of globalization and religion is intended to make a contribution toward understanding the changing character of religion in global society.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Brill's Encyclopedia of Global Pentecostalism

A new encyclopedia is in process with plans for publication in 2020.  In the spring of 2018 the list of headwords will be available for contributors to write on some aspect of global Pentecostalism.  SCOPE Brill’s Encyclopedia of Global Pentecostalism  (BEGP)   will provide a comprehensive overview of worldwide Pentecostalism from a range of disciplinary perspectives. It will offer analysis at the level of specific countries and regions, historical figures, movements and organizations, and particular topics and themes. Pentecostal Studies draws upon areas of research such as anthropology, biblical studies, economics, gender studies, global studies, history, political science, sociology, theological studies, and other areas of related interest. The BEGP will emphasize this multi-disciplinary approach and include scholarship from a range of disciplines, methods, and theoretical perspectives. Moreover, the BEGP will be cross-cultural and transnation...
Post a Comment
Read more

Pope Francis, Latin America, and Catholic Charismatic Renewal

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires, was announced as the new pope, Pope Francis. He is the first pope from Latin America where the Catholic Church has a long history and represents the largest group of Catholics in the world. Pope Francis is a member of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He is not a member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. I am not sure he is sympathetic to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Latin America either. However, no doubt, his election will bolster the Catholic Church in Latin America. In his home country of Argentina, the Pentecostals had little impact until the middle of the 20th century when Tommy Hicks was granted unprecedented access to stadiums for mass evangelistic meetings. Still, the Pentecostals do not represent a large number of Christians in Argentina. The Catholic Church in many countries is charismatic and the latitude Catholic charismatics are granted in Latin America keeps many within the fold. For example, ...
4 comments
Read more

Pentecostalism and the Status of Global Christianity

The latest report on the status of Christianity in the world was published in January 2013 in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research (IBMR Vol. 37, No. 1: 32-33). The two-page report is the twenty-ninth annual report following the publication of David Barrett’s World Christian Encyclopedia (Oxford, 1982). The most recent report discusses an important change in counting Pentecostals and Charismatics. Moving away from the traditional three “wave” description of classical Pentecostals, Charismatics, and Independents, it discusses the Pew Forum strategy of lumping them altogether as a single type – “renewalist.” The IBMR report does not critique this approach or discuss any of the historical or theological or sociological implications of doing so (even if the three wave approach has its problems, which it does). While the IBMR report does not use the term “renewalist” in its table, it does count the different “waves” as a single type. The problem in doing so, is that trackin...
Post a Comment
Read more