Pentecostalism and the Future of the Christian Churches

"In Third World countries marked by poverty and suffering, traditional forms of Christianity have been unable to speak effectively to the experiences and needs of the poor. In the midst of this reality, Pentecostal movements have sprung up and are growing at a remarkable pace. This book attempts to understand Pentecostalism as a religious movement among the poor and explores how this powerful spiritual expression might inform traditional church practices elsewhere in the world.".

"Written by Brazilian sociologist Waldo Cesar and American theologian Richard Shaull, Pentecostalism and the Future of the Christian Churches brings theological reflection in dialogue with well-documented social analysis. In the first half of the book Cesar provides a theologically informed sociological study of Pentecostalism in Brazil, and in part two Shaull seeks to understand Pentecostalism as a religious reality.

Their work shows why and how Pentecostal movements represent the emergence of a radically new form of Christian faith and life in response to impoverishment and marginalization. They also reveal the potential these movements hold for transforming unjust economic, social, and political structures and discuss what the church at large might learn from the Pentecostal experience.".

"Unique for its interdisciplinary approach to Pentecostal movements, this volume is important not only as a study of a significant religious phenomenon but also as a resource for reflection on Christian social responsibility in today's world."--BOOK JACKET.