Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements

Rating:
Summary: Good concept -- poorly executed
Review: No area of Christendom is more complicated and in need of a good roadmap for the unitiated as Pentecostalism. I was thrilled to get this thick dictionary, with so many entires and photos. It is well-bound and handsomely packaged by Zondervan.

The problem is that it is just so poorly done! It lists several good scholars among its contributors (Edith Blumhoefer, David Barrett, Grant Wacker, Gordon Fee), but these folks didn't write most of the articles. I can't believe Zondervan didn't require better work, or do some heavier editing. While some entires are clearly and crisply written, many are almost unreadable. One rambling article mentions A.J. Gordon, identifying his ministry role, then a couple of paragraphs later reintroduces him, then does it again, etc. Its as if the article were originally 3 or 4 pieces, which were later thrown together with no editing.

Another issue I have is the defensive, propaganda-like tone of most articles. For example, George and Stephen Jeffreys are identified without qualification as *England's greatest evangelists since Wesley and Whitefield*. Huh?!? Many times a person will be identified as one of the *foremost scholars* on a certain topic, simply because they wrote an obscure book on the subject. Often these will be decidely unscholarly, untrained preachers -- their books may be helpful, but these folks are most often nowhere close to being *scholars.* Similarly, entires often incorrectly imply certain figures are Pentecostal/ charismatic (for example, one entry lists Spurgeon among some charismatics simply because he prayed for and received healing -- something close to 100 percent of non-charismatic evangelicals have always believed in). The authors also tend to downplay or ignore embarrassing heresies in their Pentecostal subjects -- One-ness/Sabellian beliefs, quasi-Messianic claims, etc. Parham's long entry never mentions his teaching against the tradition view of final judgment (Conditional Immortality). Indeed, the United Pentecostal Church, Intern'l, classified as a cult by several mainstream evaneglical watchdog groups, contributes several articles to the dictionary. And the book often uncritically accepts triumphalistically many questionable stats. In many places, *revival* is narrowly defined as exercising supernatural gifts. For example, an entry on Presbyterian and Reformed charismatics states that Presbyterians have historically been involved in revival and only lists tongues experiences (rather than, say, leading the Great Awakening of the 18th century) as examples. Apparently its not a revival unless something overtly miraculous happens.

I could go on and on. Bottom-line -- profoundly dissappointing book. I gave it two stars rather than one because it does give some good reference information (if taken with a big chunk of salt).

Hope the updated version is an improvement, because this is an important and interesting topic that deserves better treatment.

Rating:
Summary: Good concept -- poorly executed
Review: No area of Christendom is more complicated and in need of a good roadmap for the unitiated as Pentecostalism. I was thrilled to get this thick dictionary, with so many entires and photos. It is well-bound and handsomely packaged by Zondervan.

The problem is that it is just so poorly done! It lists several good scholars among its contributors (Edith Blumhoefer, David Barrett, Grant Wacker, Gordon Fee), but these folks didn't write most of the articles. I can't believe Zondervan didn't require better work, or do some heavier editing. While some entires are clearly and crisply written, many are almost unreadable. One rambling article mentions A.J. Gordon, identifying his ministry role, then a couple of paragraphs later reintroduces him, then does it again, etc. Its as if the article were originally 3 or 4 pieces, which were later thrown together with no editing.

Another issue I have is the defensive, propaganda-like tone of most articles. For example, George and Stephen Jeffreys are identified without qualification as *England's greatest evangelists since Wesley and Whitefield*. Huh?!? Many times a person will be identified as one of the *foremost scholars* on a certain topic, simply because they wrote an obscure book on the subject. Often these will be decidely unscholarly, untrained preachers -- their books may be helpful, but these folks are most often nowhere close to being *scholars.* Similarly, entires often incorrectly imply certain figures are Pentecostal/ charismatic (for example, one entry lists Spurgeon among some charismatics simply because he prayed for and received healing -- something close to 100 percent of non-charismatic evangelicals have always believed in). The authors also tend to downplay or ignore embarrassing heresies in their Pentecostal subjects -- One-ness/Sabellian beliefs, quasi-Messianic claims, etc. Parham's long entry never mentions his teaching against the tradition view of final judgment (Conditional Immortality). Indeed, the United Pentecostal Church, Intern'l, classified as a cult by several mainstream evaneglical watchdog groups, contributes several articles to the dictionary. And the book often uncritically accepts triumphalistically many questionable stats. In many places, *revival* is narrowly defined as exercising supernatural gifts. For example, an entry on Presbyterian and Reformed charismatics states that Presbyterians have historically been involved in revival and only lists tongues experiences (rather than, say, leading the Great Awakening of the 18th century) as examples. Apparently its not a revival unless something overtly miraculous happens.

I could go on and on. Bottom-line -- profoundly dissappointing book. I gave it two stars rather than one because it does give some good reference information (if taken with a big chunk of salt).

Hope the updated version is an improvement, because this is an important and interesting topic that deserves better treatment.

Rating:
Summary: A New Edition Will Soon be Published
Review: On the website of another online bookseller, there is a notice that a new edition of the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements will be available on or about July 21, 2001. This is a welcome addition to the still useful Dicionary. Events in the religious world outside the United States are significant and people in the US tend to be ignorant of the persons involved as well as the movements themselves. Together, the two books should provide a chronology and completeness not available until now.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent(but too old)
Review: This may be the best examination of Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity available in one volume. All aspects of the history and theology of the movement are examined respectfully and in great detail and its more bizarre manifestations are not covered up or ignored.

This book's major drawback is its age. It desperately needs updating; a great deal has happened in Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity since 1988. The Trinity Broadcasting Network barely registers here, and such current Pentecostal and charismatic luminaries as T. D. Jakes, Clarence McClendon, Benny Hinn, Rod Parsley, and others do not show up at all.

This book is as good a reference source for Pentecostalism as exists. If it were updated, it would be even better.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent(but too old)
Review: This may be the best examination of Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity available in one volume. All aspects of the history and theology of the movement are examined respectfully and in great detail and its more bizarre manifestations are not covered up or ignored.

This book's major drawback is its age. It desperately needs updating; a great deal has happened in Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity since 1988. The Trinity Broadcasting Network barely registers here, and such current Pentecostal and charismatic luminaries as T. D. Jakes, Clarence McClendon, Benny Hinn, Rod Parsley, and others do not show up at all.

This book is as good a reference source for Pentecostalism as exists. If it were updated, it would be even better.