Alexander, Estrelda. (2011) Black Fire: One Hundred Years of African American Pentecostalism. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic. (Amazon.com; IVPress.com)
Yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to find a copy of Estrelda Alexander’s new book Black Fire: One Hundred Years of African American Pentecostalism sitting in my mailbox. Like myself, Alexander was raised in oneness Pentecostal circles though my own experience was likely very different in many ways. Nevertheless, there is bound to be many similarities between her story and my own.
I must confess that in some weird way my heart has always wanted the best for Pentecostalism in part because of the very type of story it seems that Alexander seeks to tell. It is an amazing narrative about Christianity for the outcast (well ain’t it odd that there must be such a thing). This is not Pentecostalism for Pentecostalism’s sake, but Pentecostalism for Christianity’s sake. By this I mean a healthy thorn in the flesh for the established institutionalized church where women, Blacks, Latinos, Asians, lower middle class and impoverished, uneducated and under appreciated can become pastors, theologians, prophets, and psalmist for the Kingdom of God.
Yet as Alexander shows within the first fifty pages or so (yes, I began reading it already and I could hardly stop in spite of other obligations) even Pentecostalism has fallen into the traps they sought to critique. She points out how many Pentecostal historians and leaders have sought to exalt the memory of Charles Parham and all that happened in Topeka, KS, over against William J. Seymour and the Azusa Street Revival. How women have played such an important role in Pentecostalism’s global impact only to see splits and divisions over whether or not they should be leaders. How a movement based on unity in the Spirit has splintered into hundreds of large and small denominations causing complete disunity. It appears Alexander will hold nothing back and thank God she doesn’t!!!
I trust that I will say more about this book over time. We need to hear the story of how Black Pentecostalism has influenced the world. It is only right since it is true.
the archives near Emmaus 
Brian, at the outset I apologize for this off-topic question. I just didn’t know a better place on your blog to place it. If there is, please tell me and I’ll re-post.
As I am not sufficiently familiar with Greek and Hebrew, I have long used the NASB for my study of the Scriptures because of it faithfulness to the original texts (or, as some would prefer to say, its literalness), and because of the study tools that come into play because of this characteristic. (I understand that some people give this distinction to the ESV, and I have no quarrel with that.) My interest is in complementing my “Protestant Bible” with “analogous” Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic Bibles.
I’m given to understand that the Orthodox Study Bible would fit the first requirement. It has the NKJV for the NT but what I’m really interested in, of course, is as faithful (if you’ll allow me to continue using that term) a translation of the Apocrypha as possible. Please correct me if I’m wrong about this choice of Greek Orthodox OT translations.
As for a Roman Catholic version, I would not only like an NASB-like translation but would also prefer the Apocryphal books in it be translated from the Septuagint rather than the Vulgate. Which current RC English translation best meets this requirement?
I am posting this question on three different blogs (yours, T.C. Robinson’s, and Nick Norelli’s – how could I go wrong with that line-up?). I’m open to replies from your readers as well.
Mike,
No worries. Honestly, I don’t know that I have an answer. I would contact Esteban Vasquez about Orthodox translations since he is part of the Orthodox church. His blog is http://voxstefani.wordpress.com/ .
Our own JohnDave Medina is Roman Catholic so he may be able to answer the question from that perspective. You can email him at johndavemedina@ymail.com.
I hope that helps you in your search!
Thanks, Brian. Will do.
Brian –
But all theology should come via white, middle-class, evangelical Americans. What else is there? 😉
@Scott: I know, right?
peace and blessings
i agree with your book 98% but i do disagree with you about african religions or spirituality i would like to discuss it with you