The Azusa Street revival of 1906 to 1909 Essay -- Religion History

The Azusa Street revitalization of 1906 to 1909 was an event that popularised the practice of charismatic righteousness first in the United States and eventually throughout the Christian world. However, representations of the revitalisation in the early years of the 20th century were biased, and distorted the events that occurred. early(a) believers represent the revival as an eschatological narrative in which the berth of God came down to earth and revolutionised the church, especially with the gift of tongues. Pentecostal historians by and byward mythologised Azusa Street representing the revival as the birthplace of Pentecostalism. On the other hand, conservatives portrayed the events of the revival as unbiblical and sinful, while secular critics depicted the revival as a phenomenon which was irrational and defied human logic. After the civil war, protestant churches began to swerve the significance of emotional expression in worship. According to historian doubting Thoma s Nicole, American churches transformed into dignified, rational, middle class congregations which limited emotional expression. In contrast, various fringe groups fought the cold formalism that had developed in American Christianity as they believed that the power of the Holy Spirit would soon move in charismatic power as prophesied in Joel 228-32. By 1906, long anticipation had built up in such groups located in Los Angeles as Menzies explains that several congregations held prayer meetings which cried for a Pentecost in Los Angeles. It appears that ministers began to represent Los Angeles as the centre, out of which a charismatic outpouring would inevitably occur. Frank Bartleman for sheath reported that the people of Los Angeles would soon find themselves in the throes of a mighty... ... after a century ( Kingfield Sheffield Academic) 1999. Larry Martin, http//www.azusastreet.org/AzusaStreetCartoons.htm, retrieved on 25th may 2009.Lum Clara, Pentecost has come, The Apostol ic belief . 1(1), 1906.Menzies, William, W., Anointed to serve The Story of The Assemblies of God. (Springfield Gospel Publishing House). 1971.Nicole Thomas, Pentecostalism, (New York Harper and Row) 1966.Owens. Robert R, The Azusa street revival ( Lanham xulan press) 2005. Robeck Cecil M, The Azusa Street Mission and Revival The Birthplace of the Global Pentecostal Movement. (Nashville Nelson origin& electronic) 2006.Synan Vinson, The Holiness Pentecostal tradition, Grabd rapids Michigan Eerdmans, 1971.Turner, William C, Jr, An East Coast celebration of Azusa theological implications. Journal of Pentecostal Theology 16 (1) 2007, p 32-45