Estrelda Alexander was raised in an urban, black, working-class, oneness Pentecostal congregation in the 1950s and 1960s, but she knew little of her heritage and thought that all Christians worshiped and believed as she did. Much later she discovered that many Christians not only knew little of her heritage but considered it strange. Even today, most North Americans remain ignorant of black Pentecostalism. Black Fire remedies lack of historical consciousness by recounting the story of African American Pentecostal origins and development. In this fascinating description she covers what Pentecostalism retained from African spirituality the legacy of the nineteenth-century black Holiness movement William J. Seymour and the Azusa Street Revival African American trinitarian and oneness Pentecostal denominations the role of women in African American Pentecostalism African American neo-Pentecostals and charismatic movements black Pentecostals in majority-white denominations theological challenges of black Pentecostalism in the twenty-first century Whether you come from an African American Pentecostal background or you just want to learn more, this book will unfold all the dimensions of this important movement's history and contribution to the life of the church.

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

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

About the Contributor(s): Antipas L. Harris is Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Director of the Youth & Urban Renewal Center at Regent University. He earned theological degrees from Emory and Yale Universities and a DMin from Boston University School of Theology.

Description: This compendium of primary resources reflects the important but often overshadowed contribution of African American believers to the dynamic growth of the modern Pentecostal movement--the fastest-growing segment of global Christianity. The doctrinal statements, sermons, songs, testimonies, news articles, as well as scholarly treatises included here allow black leaders, scholars, and laypeople to speak in their own voices and use their own language to tell us their stories and articulate the issues that have been important to them throughout the one-hundred-year history of this movement. Among the constant themes that continue to emerge is their appreciation of an empowering encounter with the Holy Spirit as the resource for engaging the dehumanizing racial reality of contemporary America. Endorsements: ""This indispensable, heritage book of precious primary documents is revolutionary and powerful in expressing how the Holy Spirit moved through hidden cultural racism, sexism, classism, and other 'isms' to spread the Holiness-Pentecostal religion."" --Sherry Sherrod DuPree, Former President of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, Library of Congress Ambassador ""This remarkable collection is an indispensable resource for students of Pentecostalism and American religious history. We now have in one volume judiciously selected writings not only of African American Pentecostals in all their diversity, but also their Holiness antecedents and charismatic offspring. By providing this reader, Alexander enables us to move beyond preconceptions and engage their actual beliefs and practices, both enriching historical study and providing insight for future ministry."" --Henry H. Knight III, Professor of Wesleyan Studies, Saint Paul School of Theology ""Black Fire Reader is a groundbreaking, historically contextualized collection of rare and engaging primary resources by African American Holiness-Pentecostals from the late 1800s to 1900s. Replete with autobiographical accounts, sermons, hymns, and other rich documents, Black Fire Reader is an outstanding compendium of African American pentecostal thought and practice. Students and scholars of black religion in general and African American Holiness-Pentecostalism will appreciate its remarkable breadth and scope."" --Karen Kossie-Chernyshev, Professor of History, Texas Southern University About the Contributor(s): Estrelda Alexander is Associate Professor of Theology at Regent University School of Divinity and Executive Director of the Seymour Pan-African Pentecostal Project. She is author of The Women of Azusa Street (2006), Limited Liberty (2007), and Black Fire (2011).