Aimee Semple McPherson and the Making of Modern Pentecostalism, 1890-1926 [Hardcover]

Chas H. Barfoot (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 2011

Pentecostalism was born at the turn of the twentieth century in a run down, semi-industrial area of Los Angeles composed of a tombstone shop, saloons, livery stables and railroad freight yards. One hundred years later Pentecostalism has not only proven to be the most dynamic representative of Christian faith in the past century, but a transnational religious phenomenon as well. In a global context Pentecostalism has attained a membership of 500 million growing at the rate of 20 million new members a year. Aimee Semple McPherson, born on a Canadian farm, was Pentecostalism's first celebrity, its "female Billy Sunday." Arriving in Southern California with her mother, two children and $100.00 in 1920, "Sister Aimee" as she was fondly known quickly achieved the height of her fame. In 1926, by age 35, "Sister Aimee" would pastor "America's largest 'class A' church," perhaps becoming the country's first megachurch pastor. In Los Angeles she quickly became a folk hero and civic institution. Hollywood discovered her when she brilliantly united the sacred with the profane. Anthony Quinn would play in the Temple band and Aimee would baptize Marilyn Monroe, counsel Jean Harlow and become friends with Charlie Chaplain, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. Based on the biographer's access to internal church documents and cooperation of Aimee's family and friends, this major biography offers a sympathetic appraisal of her rise to fame, revivals in major cities and influence on American religion and culture in the Jazz Age. The biographer takes the reader behind the scenes of Aimee's fame to the early days of her harsh apprenticeship in revival tents, her failed marriages, and poverty. Barfoot recreates the career of this "called" and driven woman through oral history, church documents and by a creative use of new source material. Written with warmth and often as dramatic as Aimee herself, the author successfully captures not only what made Aimee famous but also what transformed Pentecostalism from its meager Azusa Street mission beginnings into a transnational, global religion.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Blending decades of Aimee research with his own formation among Pentecostals, religious historian Charles Barfoot has crafted an insightful and informative portrait of burgeoning Pentecostalism draped about one of its most colorful yet seriously underrrated figures.' --Russ Spittler, Provost Emeritus, Fuller Theological Seminary

About the Author

Chas. H. Barfoot received his theological education at Princeton Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School and the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley. He currently teaches at Arizona State University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: Equinox Publishing (May 13, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1845531663
• ISBN-13: 978-1845531669
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #701,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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