Grounded in detailed historical and ethnographic research, this book makes an outstanding contribution to our understanding of the roots and current expressions of Pentecostalism in El Salvador. Timothy Wadkins also describes in lucid prose the growth of the Catholic charismatic movement, the reasons Liberation Theology failed to connect with the very population it was seeking to empower, and various expressions of socially engaged Protestantism.
~Donald E. Miller, Leonard K. Firestone Professor of Religion, University of Southern California
This thoughtful, engaging, and surprising book opens up the world of Salvadoran Pentecostalism. Carefully researched and clearly written, it highlights the strengths, weaknesses, and tensions that have developed in important Pentecostal movements in the encounter with modernity. Particularly stimulating is the analysis of megachurch pastor Mario Vega’s esteem for Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero and of Vega’s growing commitment to social justice.
~Todd Hartch, Professor of History, Eastern Kentucky University
Profound religious changes have been remaking Latin America for years. If you want to understand those changes—and even more if you think you already understand them— The Rise of Pentecostalism in Modern El Salvador is a must-read. Wadkins reveals a new socially engaged, even liberationist, branch of Pentecostalism that may reshape evangelical Christianity in our lifetimes. He draws on deep research, strong interpretive work, and interviews with Salvadoran pastors and evangelical leaders to offer new insight that will contradict much of what outside observers thought we knew of religion in Latin America. Some will agree with him, others will be inspired, and others will argue vociferously with his findings. But you do not understand contemporary Latin America until you come to terms with Wadkins’ view of the deep religious and cultural changes happening in the face of modernity and neoliberalism in El Salvador.
~Richard L. Wood, University of New Mexico, Author of A Shared Future: Faith-Based Organizing for Racial Equity and Ethical Democracy
Wadkins’s detailed research and in-depth analysis is presented in an engaging format and is both refreshing and insightful. From a sociological and theological point of view, he describes the historical path of Pentecostalism in modern El Salvador with great skill, providing the reader with historical background, a literature review, transcribed interviews, and careful analysis along the way…This book is recommended to scholars and lay readers alike who are interested in Pentecostalism and historical and ethnographic research.
~Shaun Joynt, Reading Religion
This book is commended as outstanding not only for its deep insights into Salvadoran Christianity, but because of its sympathetic yet critical perspective on Pentecostalism globally.
~Allan H. Anderson, Journal of Ecclesiastical History
Wadkins’ book The Rise of Pentecostalism in Modern El Salvador is a fine ethnographic study of Catholic and Protestant Pentecostalism in an understudied country: El Salvador... the information presented is very useful for historians, political scientists, sociologists, and anthropologists studying the rise and evolution of Pentecostalism in Latin America.
~Henri Gooren, Exchange Journal of Contemporary Christianities in Context
... Wadkins’s clearly written investigation of the career of Pentecostalism in El Salvador will be of interest to those wanting to see an application of general theories of Pentecostal ism and modernization. Methodologically, his work serves as an admirable model for those learning to give voice to the subjects of their study without forcing their first-person, experiential explanations for conversion and faith into preconceived theoretical grids. Theologically, his work provides provocative case studies of ways churches may sacrifice aspects of their Christian witness in order to cater to their socioeconomic corner of the market. For all these aspects, Wadkinss careful narrative is a surprising and insightful read.
~Morgan Crago, Fides et Historia
Combining historical prose, live interviews with key Pentecostal leaders, and extensive historical research, Wadkins weaves a gripping narrative that answers questions that other research has overlooked in the quest to explain the remarkable shift toward modernization in El Salvador.
~Edwin Cook, Journal of Church and State
Timothy Wadkins has written a remarkably balanced and comprehensive study of the rise of Pentecostalism in modern El Salvador.
~Bernice Martin, Journal of Contemporary Religion
This book adds value to the current body of literature describing religiosity in El Salvador and is a valuable asset to missions organizations, current, and future missionaries.
~Norlan Josue Hernandez, Missiology
Wadkins has written a nicely presented and readable book, including instructive portraits of different Pentecostal leaders and churches as well as the Roman Catholic Charismatic Renovation. An insightful last chapter helps the reader to position Wadkins understanding in the wider field of Latin American Pentecostal studies.
~Klaas Bom, Mission Studies
