Signs and Wonders: Why Pentecostalism Is the World's Fastest Growing Faith

Drawing on personal experiences and numerous interviews with individuals who practice Pentecostalism, Alexander, who teaches at Azusa Pacific University, attempts to provide insights into why the Pentecostal faith continues to grow by leaps and bounds around the world. He examines such key elements of Pentecostalism as speaking in tongues, healing, prophecy and visions, and spiritual warfare and prayer in arguing that they provide freedom to hope for and experience a better life. Alexander's unfortunately superficial survey would have been strengthened by more attention to historical context. For example, his shallow chapter on the “prosperity gospel” espoused by many Pentecostals fails to point out the dangers—including fraud—of this version of the Christian message. This highly repetitious book would have been more successful as a short article. (Apr.)