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9781610978019

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People often suppose Pentecostals are bereft either of an articulate theology or social concern. This readable and scholarly book, focused on Latin American Pentecostalism, shows the presence of both. Dr. Petersen is himself one of the Pentecostal leaders able and ready to be a partner in debate. Pentecostals originally found their voices and so announced their existence in the worship of their own assemblies. But now they are also reflecting on who they are, what their standpoint is, what they have achieved, and where they hope to go. Dr. Petersen shows that Pentecostalism has long and essentially indigenous roots and knows just how it seeks personal empowerment and social betterment. David Martin Emeritus Professor of Sociology London School of Economics, London University Author of Tongues of Fire: The Explosion of Protestantism in Latin America Petersen's theology of social concern represents a significant breakthrough in Pentecostal missiology. Not only does he incisively challenge the myths that have surrounded Pentecostal church growth in Central America, but he also perceptively analyzes the indigenous nature of these churches and the theological and social dynamics that have shaped them. Perhaps most significantly, he constructs a holistic theology of mission that can enable Latin American Pentecostals to effectively address critical problems both in the present and in the future. Gary B. McGee Assemblies of God Theological Seminary Springfield, Missouri This beautifully written book not only brings a needed comparative perspective to the study of Pentecostalism but also brims with insights into the movement's inner dynamics. Petersen demonstrates that far from being otherworldly, as often charged, Latin American Pentecostals have forged a truly radical ethic of social concern. His work ranks as an important and theologically informed contribution to our understanding of global Pentecostalism. Grant Wacker Duke University Douglas Petersen's assessment of the social impact of the Pentecostal movement in Latin America is not only the first major study of this important topic published from inside the movement by a Pentecostal scholar, but also a penetrating analysis of the way the gospel inevitably raises the morale, the expectation, and the sense of social responsibility of the men and women who have experienced its redemptive power. His personal acquaintance with the needs and approaches of Latin American child care provides an excellent standard by which to compare the growing volume of research about the nature and initiative of Latin American Pentecostalism. John Bueno Field Director, Latin America, Division of Foreign Missions, Assemblies of God

People often suppose Pentecostals are bereft either of an articulate theology or social concern. This readable and scholarly book, focused on Latin American Pentecostalism, shows the presence of both. Dr. Petersen is himself one of the Pentecostal leaders able and ready to be a partner in debate. Pentecostals originally found their voices and so announced their existence in the worship of their own assemblies. But now they are also reflecting on who they are, what their standpoint is, what they have achieved, and where they hope to go. Dr. Petersen shows that Pentecostalism has long and essentially indigenous roots and knows just how it seeks personal empowerment and social betterment. David Martin Emeritus Professor of Sociology London School of Economics, London University Author of Tongues of Fire: The Explosion of Protestantism in Latin America Petersen's theology of social concern represents a significant breakthrough in Pentecostal missiology. Not only does he incisively challenge the myths that have surrounded Pentecostal church growth in Central America, but he also perceptively analyzes the indigenous nature of these churches and the theological and social dynamics that have shaped them. Perhaps most significantly, he constructs a holistic theology of mission that can enable Latin American Pentecostals to effectively address critical problems both in the present and in the future. Gary B. McGee Assemblies of God Theological Seminary Springfield, Missouri This beautifully written book not only brings a needed comparative perspective to the study of Pentecostalism but also brims with insights into the movement's inner dynamics. Petersen demonstrates that far from being otherworldly, as often charged, Latin American Pentecostals have forged a truly radical ethic of social concern. His work ranks as an important and theologically informed contribution to our understanding of global Pentecostalism. Grant Wacker Duke University Douglas Petersen's assessment of the social impact of the Pentecostal movement in Latin America is not only the first major study of this important topic published from inside the movement by a Pentecostal scholar, but also a penetrating analysis of the way the gospel inevitably raises the morale, the expectation, and the sense of social responsibility of the men and women who have experienced its redemptive power. His personal acquaintance with the needs and approaches of Latin American child care provides an excellent standard by which to compare the growing volume of research about the nature and initiative of Latin American Pentecostalism. John Bueno Field Director, Latin America, Division of Foreign Missions, Assemblies of God

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Douglas Petersen (PhD Oxford Centre for Mission Studies) is Margaret S. Smith Distinguished Professor of World Missions and Intercultural Studies at Vanguard University. He teaches courses in the graduate program in intercultural studies on subjects relating to world missions, having lived and served on the mission field for many years. He is also the founding director of CINCEL, VUSC's Costa Rica Study Center. Dr. Petersen has also coauthored a number of books, including The Globalization of Pentecostalism: A Religion Made to Travel and Called and Empowered: Global Mission in Pentecostal Perspective.

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