One of the most significant transformations in twentieth-century Christianity is the emergence and development of Pentecostalism. The fastest-growing form of Christianity, with over five hundred million followers worldwide, this widely diverse movement has influenced many sectors of Christianity, flourishing in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, and also affecting Canada.
Bringing together a previously scattered and somewhat hidden literature, Canadian Pentecostalism provides the first comprehensive overview of the subject. The collection is broad in focus, examining classical Pentecostalism, charismatic movements in the Roman Catholic and mainline Protestant traditions, and neo-Pentecostalism. Contributing authors examine historical debates about the origins of the movement, the response of Pentecostalism to institutionalization and globalization, and the roles of women, aboriginals, and immigrants within the Canadian movement.
A multi-disciplinary study - with contributions from scholars in history, sociology, cultural studies, theology, and religious studies - Canadian Pentecostalism provides an important window into the Pentecostal / Charismatic movement and fills a gap in our general understanding of religion in Canada.
Contributors include Peter Althouse (Southeastern University), Peter Beyer (University of Ottawa), Robert K. Burkinshaw (Trinity Western University), Michael Di Giacomo (Valley Forge Christian College), Bruce L. Guenther (Trinity Western University), Randall Holm (Providence College), Pamela M.S. Holmes (Th.D. candidate, Toronto School of Theology), Stephen Hunt (University of the West of England), Martin Mittelstadt (Evangel University), David Reed (University of Toronto), Thomas A. Robinson (University of Lethbridge), Donald S. Swenson (Mount Royal College), and Michael Wilkinson (Trinity Western University).
Review quotes
“What makes this volume so significant are the broad categories of investigation: history, sociology, cultural and religious studies, and theology. … With this collection of disparate yet interconnected essays, the editor has provided a useful service to both Pentecostals, as they think about their origins and prospects, and non-Pentecostals desiring to understand the presence and growing influence of Pentecostals.” Faith Today
“Canadian Pentecostalism represents the single best scholarly assessment of Canadian Pentecostalism to date. Its avoidance of disciplinary myopia by giving due attention to the historical, theological, and social facets of Canadian Pentecostalism will appeal to scholars from a range of disciplines, and paves a broad path for future research into this understudied segment of the global Pentecostal movement.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
Michael Wilkinson is associate professor of sociology, and director of the Religion in Canada Institute, Trinity Western University.
