Product Description

Called "a pioneer contribution" by Church History when it was first published in 1971, this volume has now been revised and enlarged by Vinson Synan to account for the incredible changes that have occurred in the church world in the last 25 years.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #284618 in Books
• Published on: 1997-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 340 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780802841032
• Condition: New
• Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Customer Reviews

Excellent reading, good historical perspective, insightful
I read this book in three sittings over the Christmas Holidays, 1997. As a student of Methodist history, I was intruigued with the Wesleyan aspect of the Pentecostal/Holiness movement. His understanding of the development of Holiness/Spirit-filled groups of believers in the Protestant and Orthodox/Roman Catholic churches can lead one to the perspective that the emphases of those religious heritages become complete when one respects (1) the awe/fear/majesty of God as demonstrated in the Orthodox & Roman Catholic traditions, (2) the emphasis of the Prostestant traditions of a personal relationship with Christ and on the Word of God as contained in the Bible, and (3) the sense of comfort and "the Peace that passes all understanding as it comes and fills our hearts" as we experience the Holy Spirit in our lives. Although I am, and probably always will be "an evangelical orthodox Wesleyan", this book has encouraged me to be open to the Holy Spirit and Its influence on my everyday life. Please read this with an open mind and a prayerful heart.

Outstanding history of Pentecostalism
This book explores the history of Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity from its roots in Methodism until the present day. The charismatic movements are covered a bit more extensively and respectfully here than they are in Harvey Cox's Fire from Heaven. Mr. Synan does not gloss over some of Pentecostalism's more bizarre manifestations, but he is always respectful of the movement as a whole, certainly far more respectful that many mainline Protestants or fundamentalists (which are not the same as Pentecostals, as Mr. Synan takes care to point out)would be. The writing is clear and readable, apart from the fact that Mr. Synan seems to "use quotation marks" indiscriminately, something I find "kind of irritating." Apart from that, I cannot recommend this book too highly.

Remarkable Re-write
With "The Holiness Pentecostal Tradition" (340 page paperback) Pentecostal theologian Vinson Synan proffers a veritable who's who in the history of charisma. This remarkable 1997 re-write, from its original 1971 edition, narrates 20th century Pentecostalism's explosive worldwide growth.

From its 19th century Wesleyan origin Synan presents extensive holiness-pentecostal names, dates, and places. He tells local colloquial tales, presents global facts, and exposes historic myths from the Pentecostal movement. His is a scholarly analysis that presents and evaluate Christianity's "third great tradition" (after Roman Catholicism and Protestantism).

From the formation of the 19th century holiness movement and the later birth of Pentecostalism on Azusa Street, Synan explains the history and principal theology of Pentecostals. "Holy Rollers", Tomlinson's scandal, "fundamentalist fury", "Catholic tongues", snake handling, "Jesus only", "finished works", "Wesley's second blessing", Keswick movement, "latter rain", and much more are explained. Pentecostalism principal denominations (Assemblies of God, Church of God in Christ, United Pentecostal Church, Foursquare Gospel Church, and International Church of the Foursquare Gospel, and their differences) are thoroughly considered.

Synan also tells Pentecostal history with extensive documentation (in 28 pages of bibliography). Pentecostal leaders Moody, Finney, Parham, Seymour, Mason, Fuller, Durham, McPherson, Roberts, and more are considered. Their particular contributions are followed through the book's completion.

This is an excellent book. It is recommended to everyone.