Born Again in Brazil: The Pentecostal Boom and the Pathogens of Poverty [Paperback]

R. Andrew Chesnut (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997

"An exciting and provocative book! Without sensationalizing, Chesnut brings us to an understanding of the spiritual and emotional profundity of conversion." --Virginia Garrard-Burnett, Institute of Latin American Studies, University of Texas, Austin "An engaging case study of one of the most successful Pentecostal bodies in Latin America. Importantly, it focuses on what most Latin American Pentecostals do--personal healing." --David Stoll, author of Is Latin America Turning Protestant? "For vivid insight, lively narrative, and persuasive use of life histories, this is a major piece of ethnography." --David Martin, University of London A spiritual revolution is transforming the religious landscape of Latin America. Evangelical Protestantism, particularly Pentecostalism, has replaced Catholicism as the leading religion in thousands of barrios on the urban periphery. But in few Latin American nations have Protestants multiplied as rapidly as Brazil. What accounts for this rise? Combining historical, political, and ethnographic research, R. Andrew Chesnut shows that the relationship between faith healing and illness in the conversion process is integral to the popularity of Pentecostalism among Brazil's poor. He augments his analysis of the economic and political factors with extensive interview material to capture his informants' conversion experience. In doing so, he presents both a historical framework for a broad understanding of Pentecostalism in Latin America and insight into the personal motivations and beliefs of the crentes themselves. R. Andrew Chesnut is an assitant professor in the department of history at the Universit of Houston.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

A spiritual revolution is transforming the religious landscape of Latin America. Evangelical Protestantism, particularly Pentecostalism, has replaced Catholicism as the leading religion in thousands of barrios on the urban periphery. But in few Latin American nations have Protestants multiplied as rapidly as in Brazil. What accounts for this rise? Combining historical, political, and ethnographic research, R. Andrew Chestnut shows that the relationship between faith healing and illness in the conversion process is integral to the popularity of Pentecostalism among Brazil's poor. He augments his analysis of the economic and political factors with extensive interview material to capture his informants' conversion experience. In doing so, he presents both a historical framework for a broad understanding of Pentecostalism in Latin America and insight into the personal motivations and beliefs of the crentes themselves.

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Rutgers University Press (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813524067
• ISBN-13: 978-0813524061
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #386,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A SOLID READ, January 2, 2004

By 

AHW (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born Again in Brazil: The Pentecostal Boom and the Pathogens of Poverty (Paperback)

I found this book quite interesting. I do not have a backgroung in religion or Latin American studies and found the book very enjoyable. I found myself reading until my eyes were done.
I recommend it without reservation.