Theological Roots of Pentecostalism

Rating:
Summary: Good for both historians and theologians
Review: Dayton has written a history of theological developments, especially in the 19th Century, that led to the outbreak of Pentecostalism in Topeka, Kansas at the turn of the century. He begins with the Methodist roots in John Wesley and John Fletcher, and moves through Phoebe Palmer and the holiness movement to the development of two and three-blessing groups. The book gives good detail on the evolving of the doctrine of baptism in the Holy Ghost. He follows with chapters on the use of divine healing and the rise of premillenialism, which were two other key doctrines that Pentecostalism emphasized. Dayton intersperses Protestant hymns that show these changes, which is a nice touch.
Good: I appreciated Dayton's emphasis that Pentecostalism was not merely a spontaneous outbreak at the turn of the century, but a movement with deep roots. Though Topeka and Azusa Street were the key beginnings, the ground was ripe in America for something along those lines to happen somewhere. His chapter on changes in apocalypticism is also excellent. He describes how evangelicalism changed from being predominantly post-millenial to predominantly pre-millenial, a natural transition with the decline of nineteenth-century optimism.
Bad: From a Topekan's perspective, it would have been nice to have seen more history behind the Topeka events. Clearly this book is not intended as a history of Pentecostalism itself, but rather a tracing of its theological roots. Nonetheless, some inclusion of how these roots specifically played out in Charles Parham's teaching and ministry would have helped.
Opinion: I liked this book. It is best for those who are interested in theological issues, and would not be good for a lay study guide. For those of us who like reading theology and history it serves its purposes well.
Best Quote: This one is from Charles G. Finney: "Now the great business of the church is to reform the world - and to put away every kind of sin. The church was originally organized to be a body of reformers. The very profession of Christianity implies the profession and virtually an oath to do all that can be done for the reformation of the world. The Christian church was designed to make aggressive movements in every direction -- to lift up her voice and put forth her energies in high and low places -- to reform individuals, communities and governments, and never rest until the Kingdom and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the saints of the Most High God -- until every form of iniquity shall be driven from the earth."