Books

Beyond Azusa Street

An eclectic collection of essays looks at the growth of Pentecostalism.

This collection of essays—an updated and expanded edition of a book originally published in 1986—is like a good strip-mall buffet. Despite plain design, eclectic content, and uneven presentation, this fine missiological meal satisfies on two levels. First, it is a celebration of church growth, and second, it is a critical engagement with Pentecostalism’s perennial tension between the Spirit and human mechanism.

AZUSA STREETAND BEYOND:100 Yearsof Commentaryon the GlobalPentecostal/CharismaticMovementGrant McClung, ed.Bridge-Logos338 pp.; $11.99

The strong seasoning of triumphalism has certainly been added—particularly in some of the earlier, historical chapters. But as you move along the buffet, you find many dishes fresh with humility and self-criticism. You also begin to see less of the heavy Western fare and more authentic cultural contextualization, which reflects a growth within the movement.

The book’s topical organization (“Historical Perspectives,” “Theological Motivations,” “Strategic Issues,” and “Future Choices and Challenges”), helpful introductions, and brief author profiles not only make it easy to navigate, but also give us the sense of listening in on the conversation of a living community.

True, you’ll find the flies of disappointing editing buzzing all along the buffet. But don’t let this keep you from this fine introduction to Pentecostal missions. I recommend this restaurant without reservation.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Azusa Street and Beyond is available from Christianbook.com and other book retailers.

More information about is available from the book’s website.

Grant McClung is author of “Pentecostals: The Sequel,” Christianity Today‘s cover story on the 100th anniversary of Pentecostalism.

Our full coverage of Pentecostalism includes:

Grading the Movement | Three leaders talk frankly about Pentecostalism: the good, the bad, and the unpredictable. (March 31, 2006)

Full Gospel’s Fractured Thinking | The problems with shunning the life of the mind. (March 30, 2006)

Our Anti-Intellectual Heritage | The history and beliefs of the Pentecostal movement, often shared by evangelicals, hold the seeds of a bias against the life of the mind. (March 30, 2006)

A Wind that Swirls Everywhere | Pentecostal scholar Amos Yong thinks he sees the Holy Spirit working in other religions, too. (March 29, 2006)

Africa’s Azusa Street | East Africa has experienced Pentecost continually for nearly 80 years. (March 28, 2006)

Stepping to Success | One reason Without Walls is one of the country’s fastest-growing Pentecostal congregations. (March 27, 2006)

The Pentecostal Gold Standard | After 50 years in ministry, Jack Hayford continues to confound stereotypes—all to the good. (July 1, 2005)

Hand-Clapping in a Gothic Nave | What Pentecostals and mainliners can learn from each other. (March 11, 2005)

Christian History Corner
The Roots of Pentecostal Scandal—Romanticism Gone to Seed | The sexual stumblings of prominent ministers point to a hidden flaw in Pentecostal spirituality. (Sept. 17, 2004)

Christian History Corner
Romanticism Gone to Seed—Part II | Have the holiness and Pentecostal movements really been “hyper-vertical” and “anti-domestic”? (Oct. 01, 2004)

God’s Peculiar People | Historian Grant Wacker explains why Pentecostals survived and even flourished. (March 18, 2002)

Are Pentecostals Sex-Crazed? | John Steinbeck and Robert Duvall have portrayed them that way, and such criticism even came from inside the movement. But was it ever warranted? (Sept. 11, 2001)

Christian History Corner
Explaining the Ineffable | In Heaven Below, a former Pentecostal argues that his ancestors were neither as outlandish as they seemed nor as otherworldly as they wish to seem. (Aug. 31, 2001)

Should We All Speak in Tongues? | Some say speaking in tongues is proof of ‘baptism in the Holy Spirit.’ Are those who haven’t spoken in tongues without the Holy Spirit? (March 6, 2000)

A Peacemaker in Provo | How one Pentecostal pastor taught his Congregation to love Mormons. (February 7, 2000)

Christian History & Biography devoted an issue to The Rise of Pentecostalism. More on Pentecostalism from CT sister publications include:

Whither Pentecostal Scholarship? | The overlap between “people with the Spirit” and “people with Ph.D.’s.” (Books & Culture, May/June 2004)

El Espiritu Santo | Exploring Latino Pentecostalism. (Books & Culture, May/June 2004)

A Global Pentecost | The fastest-growing religious group? (Books & Culture, March/April 2002)

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

Hope in the Heart of Darkness

Do It for the Children

The Lure of Theocracy

Second-half Calling

Q+A: Michael Cromartie

Free Speech Fiasco

More than Logic

Pro-life Feminists

Cutting Deeper

Grand Illusions

Latter-day Complaints

Friday Night Fish Fry

Lost Missions

What's Right About Patriotism

Hide Your Bible

Crowded Out

Belgrade Curve

Health Care, Everyone?

From Rape to Rebuilding

News

Passages

Wire Story

Sky's the Limit

Excerpt

'Jesus Mean and Wild: The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God'

The Faith of Our Founders

Social Justice Surprise

Experiencing Life at the Margins

Born Again and Again

News

Go Figure

Gospel Work in Time of War

Glimpses of God in Africa

News

Quotation Marks

Summer

Editorial

Beyond Yellow Ribbons

Editorial

Sex Isn't a Spectator Sport

Reforming Wayward Reformers

View issue

Our Latest

Review

Safety Shouldnโ€™t Come First

A theologian questions our habit of elevating this goal above all others.

What Would Lecrae Do?

Why Kendrick Lamarโ€™s question matters.

No More Sundays on the Couch

COVID got us used to staying home. But itโ€™s the work of Godโ€™s people to lift up the name of Christ and receive Godโ€™s Wordโ€”together.

Public Theology Project

A Hurricane Doesn’t Tell Us Who to Hate

What natural disasters reveal about God and neighbor.

The Russell Moore Show

Belief, Experience, and Expectations of God

Steve Cuss talks about finding peace in the tensions of our faith.

Review

The Bible Contains Discrepancies. That Doesnโ€™t Make It Untrustworthy.

Scholar Michael Licona makes the case for a โ€œflexible inerrancy.โ€

News

The Gettysโ€™ Modern Hymn Movement Has Theological Pull

Yet even at their annual worship conference, thereโ€™s room for multiple styles of music to declare the stories of the Bible.

Be Afraid

Be Afraid Bonus Episode 2: Mac Brandt

Mac Brandt discusses horror, race, and playing the bad guy.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube