In 2006, the contemporary American Pentecostal movement celebrated its 100th birthday. Over that time, its African American sector has been markedly influential, not only vis-a-vis other branches of Pentecostalism but also throughout the Christian church. Black Christians have been integrally involved in every aspect of the Pentecostal movement since its inception and have made significant contributions to its founding as well as the evolution of Pentecostal/charismatic styles of worship, preaching, music, engagement of social issues, and theology. Yet despite its being one of the fastest growing segments of the Black Church, Afro-Pentecostalism has not received the kind of critical attention it deserves. Afro-Pentecostalism brings together fourteen interdisciplinary scholars to examine different facets of the movement, including its early history, issues of gender, relations with other black denominations, intersections with popular culture, and missionary activities, as well as the movement's distinctive theology. Bolstered by editorial introductions to each section, the chapters reflect on the state of the movement, chart its trajectories, discuss pertinent issues, and anticipate future developments. Contributors: Estrelda Y. Alexander, Valerie C. Cooper, David D. Daniels III, Louis B. Gallien, Jr., Clarence E. Hardy III, Dale T. Irvin, Ogbu U. Kalu, Leonard Lovett, Cecil M. Robeck, Jr., Cheryl J. Sanders, Craig Scandrett-Leatherman, William C. Turner, Jr., Frederick L. Ware, and Amos Yong
Acknowledgments 1 Introduction: Black Tongues of Fire Estrelda Y. Alexander and Amos Yong Part I: Origins 2 The Azusa Street Mission and Historic Black Churches Cecil M. Robeck Jr. 3 Navigating the Territory David D. Daniels III Part II: Gender and Culture 4 Laying the Foundations for Azusa Valerie C. Cooper 5 Church Mothers and Pentecostals in the Modern Age Clarence E. Hardy III 6 Rites of Lynching and Rights of Dance Craig Scandrett-Leatherman 7. Crossing Over Jordan Louis B. Gallien Jr. Part III: Prophetic Ethics 8. Pentecostal Ethics and the Prosperity Gospel Cheryl J. Sanders 9. Ethics in a Prophetic Mode Leonard Lovett Part IV: Pneumatology 10. Pneumatology William C. Turner Jr. 11. On the Compatibility/Incompatibility of Pentecostal Premillennialism with Black Liberation Theology Frederick L. Ware Part V: Afro-Pentecostalism in Global Context 12. Black Joseph Ogbu U. Kalu 13. Meeting Beyond These Shores Dale T. Irvin Select Bibliography Contributors Index
