African Pentecostalism An Introduction

Across Africa, Christianity is thriving in all shapes and sizes. But oneparticular strain of Christianity prospers more than most-Pentecostalism.Pentecostals believe that everyone can personally receive the gifts of the HolySpirit such as prophecy or the ability to speak in tongues. In Africa, thiskind of faith, in which the supernatural is a daily presence, is sweeping thecontinent. Today, about 107 million Africans are Pentecostals-and the numberscontinue to rise. In this book, Ogbu Kalu provides the first ever overview ofPentecostalism in Africa. He shows the amazing diversity of the faith, whichflourishes in many different forms in diverse local contexts. While most peoplebelieve that Pentecostalism was brought to Africa and imposed on its people bymissionaries, Kalu argues emphatically that this is not the case. Throughoutthe book, he demonstrates that African Pentecostalism is distinctly African incharacter, not imported from the West. With an even-handed approach, Kalupresents the religion's many functions in African life. Rather than shying awayfrom controversial issues like the role of money and prosperity in the movement,Kalu describes malpractice when he sees it. The only book to offer acomprehensive look at African Pentecostalism, this study touches upon themovement's identity, the role of missionaries, media and popular culture, women,ethics, Islam, and immigration. The resulting work will prove invaluable toanyone interested in Christianity outside the West.

Ogbu Kalu is the Henry Winters Luce Professor of World Christianity and Mission at McCormick Theological Seminary. He is from Ohafia, Nigeria.