Customer Reviews

The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition: Charismatic Movements in the Twentieth Century

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I read this book in three sittings over the Christmas Holidays, 1997. As a student of Methodist history, I was intruigued with the Wesleyan aspect of the Pentecostal/Holiness movement. His understanding of the development of Holiness/Spirit-filled groups of believers in the Protestant and Orthodox/Roman Catholic churches can lead one to the perspective that the emphases of those religious heritages become complete when one respects (1) the awe/fear/majesty of God as demonstrated in the Orthodox & Roman Catholic traditions, (2) the emphasis of the Prostestant traditions of a personal relationship with Christ and on the Word of God as contained in the Bible, and (3) the sense of comfort and "the Peace that passes all understanding as it comes and fills our hearts" as we experience the Holy Spirit in our lives. Although I am, and probably always will be "an evangelical orthodox Wesleyan", this book has encouraged me to be open to the Holy Spirit and Its influence on my everyday life. Please read this with an open mind and a prayerful heart.

This book explores the history of Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity from its roots in Methodism until the present day. The charismatic movements are covered a bit more extensively and respectfully here than they are in Harvey Cox's Fire from Heaven. Mr. Synan does not gloss over some of Pentecostalism's more bizarre manifestations, but he is always respectful of the movement as a whole, certainly far more respectful that many mainline Protestants or fundamentalists (which are not the same as Pentecostals, as Mr. Synan takes care to point out)would be. The writing is clear and readable, apart from the fact that Mr. Synan seems to "use quotation marks" indiscriminately, something I find "kind of irritating." Apart from that, I cannot recommend this book too highly.

With "The Holiness Pentecostal Tradition" (340 page paperback) Pentecostal theologian Vinson Synan proffers a veritable who's who in the history of charisma. This remarkable 1997 re-write, from its original 1971 edition, narrates 20th century Pentecostalism's explosive worldwide growth.

From its 19th century Wesleyan origin Synan presents extensive holiness-pentecostal names, dates, and places. He tells local colloquial tales, presents global facts, and exposes historic myths from the Pentecostal movement. His is a scholarly analysis that presents and evaluate Christianity's "third great tradition" (after Roman Catholicism and Protestantism).

From the formation of the 19th century holiness movement and the later birth of Pentecostalism on Azusa Street, Synan explains the history and principal theology of Pentecostals. "Holy Rollers", Tomlinson's scandal, "fundamentalist fury", "Catholic tongues", snake handling, "Jesus only", "finished works", "Wesley's second blessing", Keswick movement, "latter rain", and much more are explained. Pentecostalism principal denominations (Assemblies of God, Church of God in Christ, United Pentecostal Church, Foursquare Gospel Church, and International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, and their differences) are thoroughly considered.

Synan also tells Pentecostal history with extensive documentation (in 28 pages of bibliography). Pentecostal leaders Moody, Finney, Parham, Seymour, Mason, Fuller, Durham, McPherson, Roberts, and more are considered. Their particular contributions are followed through the book's completion.

This is an excellent book. It is recommended to everyone.

A comprehensive look at Pentecostalism, its roots, and "3 waves" of history. Synan is one of the leading scholars in this field. Strong data on the Holiness movement and very early Pentecostals. Moderately good information on the Charismatic Renewal. Not much on the Jesus Movement and new paradigm churches, but overall, this book is great for anyone interested in how Pentecostalism has become so big and popular in just one century. Plenty of details and footnotes for researchers.

This book has given me insight to the Pentecostal Movement and all of the people who were instrumental in the growth of what is part of many church doctrines. It is important to me to know belief system and the process of the various experiences that took place. Many churches today are probably different from what they started out as in the 1800's; and the book tells of the interesting and colorful past of the those beliefs. This book gives mostly every account and the details of the history. The book is easy to read and is well put together. I brought it for a class in the same area I am studying, but now I have made it a part of my library.

Synan's "The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition" is in fact a thoroughly revised version of his "The Holiness-Pentecostal Tradition in the United States" published in 1971. Whilst this revision was intended to broaden the scope of the work to include the worldwide expansion of Pentecostalism this book is still predominately focussed on the USA. However, as a scholarly introduction of Pentecostalism it is probably without equal bothin its broad scope and also its accessibility to those unversed in Pentecostal history (I would probably include most pentecostals in this group)!

This book is well documented and therefore anyone wanting to research more is able to, however, I felt that a indicative `suggested reading' of the main sources for each of the different pentecostalisms (Classical, Neo-Pentecostal and Third Wave) would have been helpful.

Overall though this is definitely recommended

This a very good book that gives much information on the Holiness and Pentecostal traditions. It does very good to talk also about the Charismatic movmenent in various churches. It is interesting how it documents the different approaches to sanctification and baptism with the Holy Spirit, and how these two works are experienced or dependent on one another. This did create division among early Pentecostals. However, I think all of today's Pentecostal believers will emphasize the need for holiness and sanctification through the Word, the blood of Christ, and the Holy Ghost. Let us yet testify that Jesus Christ is our Savior, Baptizer with the Holy Spirit, Healer, and Coming King and that He is making for Himself a holy church endued with power from on high.

I was told this book was the classic of Pentecostal/holiness history texts. It did not disappoint me. I found it to be extremely well-written, unbiased, and insightful. Any student of church (and particularly Pentecostal) history would benefit from this book.

Mr. Synans work reflects his deep understanding of the evolution of the Pentecostal movement in the United States. Though his effort is marked by the occasional error (by no means excessive), the work is by far the most authoritative, comprehensive, and thought out Protestant historical/theological piece I have had the pleasure to read. Anyone who claims an affiliation with Christianity would do well to verse themselves in the pseudo-religion that is Pentecostalism, and Mr. Synans work is by far the most opportune avenue by which to know and understand this unusual religious practice.