To the Ends of the Earth examines the historical and theological impact of global Pentecostalism on modern Christianity. Pentecostalism is the fastest growing religious movement in the contemporary world. In this fascinating study, Allan Anderson, professor of Global Pentecostal Studies at the University of Birmingham, draws from over twenty years of active ministry experience in the South African Pentecostal context.

This work is divided into nine chapters. Anderson examines the ubiquity of twentieth century revivals, as well as the origins, missionary dynamics, and migrational structure of the movement (chapters one, two, and three). The author proceeds to address issues of gender, family and community dynamics, in addition to the global meaning of renewal in light of the Pentecostal full gospel (chapters four, five, and six). Chapters seven, eight, and nine are devoted to the themes of Christian transformation and independence, the relationship between charisma and faith, and Pentecostal entrepreneurialism.

In the last century, the southern hemisphere has served as the arena for a remarkable expansion of Pentecostal forms of Christianity. This expansion represents a change in the global trajectory and demographics of Christianity beyond anything previously imagined. Independent Pentecostal churches in particular proliferate on the new international playing field, expanding rapidly while spawning their own unique traditions. Pentecostals now represent a quarter of the world’s Christian population, some 614 million adherents worldwide. This staggering figure is best explained with reference to developments in the majority world—South America, Africa, and Asia. The impetus to evangelize and expand on these continents is “underpinned by a firm belief in the Bible as an independent source of authority, one that resonates with local customs and relates better to a spiritual and holistic worldview” (249). Working in tandem is a Protestant regard for biblical authority and a “renewalist” emphasis on the Spirit’s empowering presence—the result is a potent, transformative brand of Christianity.

What is most intriguing about the Spirit’s work in these contexts is the proliferation of indigenous types of Christianity. In many places Western missionaries are considered a nuisance, and in some nations even heretical. Spirit-led revival movements have tended to challenge the notion of Western hegemony. In continuity with the revival tradition, Pentecostalism is a liberative movement, freeing ordinary people from colonial and ecclesiastical oppression, while introducing free enterprise to the world’s religious marketplace. Anderson is not suggesting that Western missionaries should be discouraged in their pursuits to share the gospel, but that the path to success on the new Pentecostal frontier exists in partnering with indigenous churches and encouraging local leadership.

In a pluralistic age, To the Ends of the Earth promises the continued success of world Christianity through the many Pentecostal manifestations of the miraculous. As Pentecostalism traverses race, gender, and class barriers, it adapts in new cultural contexts, promoting vital, energizing forms of worship. This can be seen in the vivid liturgies, music, and dance of majority world peoples who have embraced the contemporary work of the Spirit. Pentecostalism provides “primitive” cultures continuity with their “spirit world” origins. Anderson points to the future of world Christianity found soaring on the winds of renewal. Pentecostalism has emerged as the formidable instrument of this renewal by offering the majority world a tangible expression of communal identity, healing, deliverance.

Reviewed by Paul J. Palma

Preview To the Ends of the Earth: https://books.google.com/books/about/To_the_Ends_of_the_Earth.html?id=Fdn3dMgyJL0C

The 2005 cover from Brazos Press

Sam Van Eman, On Earth as It Is In Advertising: Moving From Commercial Hype to Gospel Hope (Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2005), 191 pages.

Introduction

Advertising is one of the most powerful forces to be reckoned with in today’s society. Thanks to modern technology, it is even stronger and more intrusive as it frequently delivers self-centered messages and half truths through different media 24 hours a day. Because of its ever-growing presence in homes across the United States and around the world, the reality of advertising poses a number of challenges for the Christian.

Van Eman is a staff resource specialist with the Coalition for Christian Outreach. In his new book, he contends that when advertising is unchecked and received without any filtering, it feeds the viewer (or reader) a steady stream of worldly-based ideas that often contradict the biblical teachings of sacrifice.

In other ways, Van Eman believes that commercial advertising presents a false gospel—one that appears to offer truth but in reality offers a message based on greed. The problem, he suggests, is only compounded when Christians spend more time watching movies (or television), and thereby consume more of the worldly messages than Scripture. Whenever that happens, “we lose focus on God, which means that everything we see is from a blurred point of view” (p. 10).

Van Eman warns that when Christians expose themselves “mindlessly to popular culture,” they “interpret little of it wisely and permit most of what is advertised to leave reside on [their] consciousness” (p. 15).

An overview

The cover from the 2010 re-release from Wipf & Stock.

Van Eman begins his discussion with an explanation of what he calls, “SimGospel.” The term is defined as “all messages that simulate the biblical narrative through advertising and popular media for the purpose of selling products and ideas” (p. 3). The idea comes from the computer game, “SimCity” where players can create and govern a simulated city. Hence “SimGospel,” is an imitated means to self-establishment (p. 20). An example of that may be seen in the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where they bought into the message of the serpent to become rulers of their own world.

Van Eman divides his discussion into three parts. In the first part, he addresses “Who Am I?” He compares what the Bible teaches about human nature with the messages of the SimGospel from popular culture and advertising. He also notes what the Bible and the SimGospel have to say about the needs of humanity.

In the second part, Van Eman discusses, “Who Is My Neighbor?” Again, he makes a striking comparison of what the Bible teaches and what the SimGospel teaches. He stresses the need for the church to remember the poor and anyone in need. He also explains how the church may neglect its true neighbors and thereby misplace its priorities.