Restoring the Faith: The Assemblies of God, Pentecostalism, and American Culture Book

This book chooses to use the Assemblies of God tradition to view Pentecostalism over the last hundred years. Blumhofer's look at Pentecostalism through a restorationist's lens describes the changes and acculturation this tradition has experienced over time and how it became one of the fastest growing religious traditions in the world. Blumhofer chooses to focus on the movement more generally rather than on a particular geographic region or personality within it as other scholars have done. The history begins in 1/01 with Charles Fox Parham and his belief that tongues speech marks an authentic baptism with the HOly Spirit. These Pentecostals traditionally believe in the restoration of NT spirituality and authority and vigorous spiritual warfare. The narrative is driven by the understanding of 4 stages within the AoG: 1) restorationism, 2)affinities with fundamentalists in 1920s, 3) charismatic renewal after WW II seeing themselves as the "3rd force" in a change for the Church at large, 4) predilection for popular culture.

Blumhofer says Pentecostals have always been audience-conscious because they "belong to the people" and as such measure importance of an issue by popular reception (connect to Boyer's discussion on Revovle Bible and its revisions). Blumhofer concurs with Marty's belief that their small following initially legitimized them, but eventually their growth did. Blumhofer also believes this tradition is uniquely American: its restorationist views are consistent with America's commitment to political and social reform. Additionally, its "historylessness" is similar to the state of America. It's message is experience-oriented and therefore attracts a people from a variety of traditions. Women were initially a large part of the AoG leadership, but eventually they were relegated to "appropriate" spheres only. As the century marched on without the second coming, millenarian views dissipated and more worldly concerns took focus. Initially, they were disinterested in their worldly culture because they were citizens of God's army, yet militarism and nationalism slowly crept into their subculture.

The charismatic movement, which also uses tongues speech, but is far more tolerant of secular culture, influenced Pentecostalism through worship style and music. This process was also encouraged by televangelists who used a sanitized version of secular culture. Initially, AoG did not approve of materialism, but it too has become a part of their culture. AoG also eventually supported the civil rights movement, but only after decades of passive homogeny. Their initial fluid and interdenominational approach eventually led to a narrowing of their message that made them committed to message purity.

Globally their message is a means of empowerment for the power and oppressed, leading to their global growth.