Timothy Larsen: Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals
Timothy Larsen, ed., Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003), xvii + 789 pages.
Ever come across the name of an evangelical leader, like Lesslie Newbigin or Oswald Chambers, and wondered who they were or what they taught? This dictionary is a great solution for quickly finding a sketch on the life and background of leaders the editors have included in this who’s who of evangelicals.
Pentecostal/charismatic leaders have much to appreciate in this volume because many early holiness and Pentecostal leaders, healing evangelists, and contemporary charismatic teachers and leaders have been included. While this dictionary does not contain as many entries of significance to today’s Pentecostal/charismatic as a specialized dictionary such as the International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements (Zondervan, 2002),1 the articles are significantly longer and give a deeper introduction to the beliefs and accomplishments of the subjects.
Timothy Larsen is professor at Wheaton College.
Some of the biographies well-read Pentecostal/charismatic leaders will recognize are: the Wesley brothers, Charles Finney, Edward Irving, Andrew Murray, Charles Parham, William Seymour, Alexander Boddy, Smith Wigglesworth, Aimee Semple McPherson, Donald Gee, Watchman Nee, Kathryn Kuhlman, David Du Plessis, Dennis Bennett, Demos Shakarian, John Wimber, Kenneth Hagin, Loren Cunningham, David Wilkerson, Oral Roberts, Michael Harper, Gordon Fee, C. Peter Wagner, J. Rodman Williams, and Jack Hayford. Of course, numerous other people that have shaped evangelical Christianity, from Martin Luther to Billy Graham, are included in this dictionary.
This attractive volume deserves a home in every Christian reference library.
Reviewed by Raul Mock
1 A review of the new IDPCM appeared in the Winter 2003 issue (Vol 6 No 1) of the Pneuma Review.
Publisher’s page for Biographical Dictionary of Evangelicals: www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2925
Category: Church History, Winter 2004
Followers
Fans
