Customer Reviews

New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, The

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a great reference book containing a virtually endless source of information regarding terminology, people, events, doctrinal issues, organizations, etc. concerning the Pentecostal/Charismatic movements across the entire world. This book contains many charts, diagrams, pictures, maps, and statistics that would be very useful for those who are doing any sort of research. Whenever possible (which is very frequently) each topic that is presented contains further bibliographical information for further research.

My only complaint with the book is that sometimes some of the various contributors to any number of topics can often be uncritical, and are obviously just writing from a highly biased view point, with little regard to other view points from other charismatic/pentecostal circles are- and this can be deceptive. For example, on "Spiritual Warfare", the author of this topic is writing from what I would regard as a dangerous point of view, and consider it heretical. And the bibliographic references would only lead people to further error, disregarding more balanced, more scriptural views.

However, I have found my own complaint (so far) to be the exception, rather than the rule. Most of what I have read seems to present a balanced view of things...though there are so many things discussed in this book that it would be impossible to independently verify.

This is a must have book for anybody with remotely any interest in pentecostal/charismatic studies.

This book is very helpful, precisely because it is written by advocates of differing movements. Too many resources are written by people with only one view of things -- what makes this book so helpful is that you get the viewpoints of the people IN these various movements, which is far more valuable for a researcher.

This volume contains a lot of valuable information, and is the only work of its kind I am aware of, ie an exhaustive survey of worldwide charismatic Christianity. That alone earns it four stars.

However, I was disappointed that the editors chose to write from a pro-charismatic bias that may alienate non-charismatics. Indeed, some of the shorter entries seem more like blurbs for the ministers and movements they represent rather than academic, encyclopaedic introductions. The problem is not with what information is included so much as what information is *not* included - for example, absent from the entry on Oral Roberts is any mention of the dubious fundraising techniques and outrageous publicity stunts for which he is most (in)famous. Ian Bilby's entry details his leadership of Elim New Zealand, but includes no mention of the sexual scandal that led to his removal as Elim's NZ leader. All but the most staggering embarrassments in Pentecostalism's history seem glossed over, as if not offending anyone was a major principle in deciding what to include.

I would expect a scholarly work to reflect both the glory and the shame of this important subject. This is an annoyance in an otherwise very good work.

This is perhaps one of the most essential tools for pastors that I have found to date. It is packed full of information that will "fill in the blanks" of regarding questions of the history and theology of these movements. Good Book, well balanced. It shows in equal portions positive and negative without the "critical spin" that has become all too common today. It is a great gift.

Considering that this is virtually the first attempt (as far as I know) at a Dictionary of the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement, this is a good start. It is worth the price for what it does contain but it is not without glaringflaws.The title "International" leads one to expect much more coverage of Pentecost outside of the U.S. Canada, where Pentecostal movements thrived in parallel with those in the U.S., is given very scanty treatment.Some major early Canadian apostles, such as O.J. Lovik, are skipped entirely. There is also too much opportunity given for some controversial movements to propagandize. A balanced article would necessitate an article by an unbiased observer, rather than by the leaders of those movements.Finally, there is too much credence and space given to sociological assessments of a movement that requires, above all else, keen spiritual discernment to separate the wheat from the chaff. That said, I will consult my copy often, for the great amount of useful material it does contain.

Okay, first the book. It's well-documented and professional, and far more reliable than a web search (for whatever reason...) but I felt a bit irked by a persistent skeptical bias in many of the articles.

Other reviewers have felt the opposite impression! Perhaps they simply doubt everything a priori? In any case, this book at least serves as a convenient, reliable source for the real reporting of real events.

Several articles go to considerable depth to examine the reliability and character of congregants in certain instances; I don't have a problem with this, but it does become obnoxious in some cases (I thought.)

A topic that is subjective at best when attempting to determine a definitive history. This work is the best we have at present and I am sure will be a foundation for future works.