Chapter 1: This first chapter talks of the attitude of Americans about the rising feelings of millennial-ism that was surging through their veins at the time of the turn of the nineteenth century into the twentieth. There were two distinct feelings growing between talks of the "New Jerusalem and a second Pentecost" appearing on the earth. Among all of the hoopla going on then about the future, there were two distinct gather ings that completely changed the face of pentecostal religion as we know it today. One was the "World's Columbian Exposition", a meeting the rich and so-called holier than thou. And the other was the Azusa Street revival, a meeting of the down-trodden citizens of the poorer regions of the country, and cosequently the birth place of pentecostalism.

Chapter 2: This chapter is called "The Fire Falls on Los Angeles", because on April 9, 1906, the fire from heaven fell on the small group of people gathered there. And these people were there because of one man, their leader, William Joseph Seymour. He was a man black man from Houston who had experienced an amazing sight of a woman speaking in "tongues". This intrigued him so much that he pursued the occurance and this journey led him to his own spiritual gatherings in a small storefront in L.A. And believe it or not, these meetings of many different people began the very same upsurge of growth that is continuing as we speak.

Chapter 3: This one deals with the fore-mentioned spreading and growth of the pentecostal wave all across the country, and eventually but rapidly, around the world. And it is believed that the spread was not due to the high media-elites but to poor and outcast of the world. This is said because God was supposedly doing this to make everyone equal and loved. Also, what most attracted the many followers were the very strange but equally inviting occurances at the congregations, the new hopes that the future was bright for everyone, especially those who were less fortunate, and finally because at a time of such tremendous racial segregation, there actually was someplace where the blending of all types of humans was the norm and expected.

Chapter 4 - 6: These next three chapters discuss the restoring of the true center of human religious- ness in three areas: "primal speech", " primal piety", and "primal hope". Primal speech is what the earliest pentecosts called "speaking in tongues." They see this as a way that God lets all people around communicate without having to learn another cultures language. They are speaking in a universal language of the Spirit. Primal piety talks of restoring the language of spiritual expression in pentcostalists in the form of trances, dreams, dances, visions, etc. And primal hope points to the apocolyptic views of the pentecostals. It is an idea that the Second Coming is imminent and is going to bring about a radically different new world.

Chapters 7 & 8: These two chapters discuss the role of women and the importance of music in the continuing expansion of pentecosatlism in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Cox first looks at women in a predominantly male church and why they are drawn to it in the first place. He found through the history of some of the most famous women pentecostalists that many were so because of its extremely apparent "racial and gender inclusiveness" (Cox, p.126). And he learned, although a little more later in life than he would have liked, that there was no music of any kind that the pentecostals wouldn't allow in their congregations. And he believes that pentecostalism and jazz are "siblings" because they were both "born" at the turn of the century from the more repressed aspects of the society.

Chapters 9 - 12: This next block of chapters go on to relay the findings and situations in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. First looking at Latin America, pentecostalism began there shortly after the turn of the century in Brazil by two men who had previously been excommunicated from their Baptist church because they had experienced speaking in tongues. Since then, the pentecostal churches spread like wild fire. Especially among the poorer communities. In Europe, the time pentecostalism grew there was when the outlook on the country's highly anticipated religious revival had not occured. There were hopes of this happening after the Berlin Wall came down, however it didn't. Also in Europe, the main pentecostal congregations were all located in the most remote and cautious spots in town. However, the restoring of faith and the great upsurge of spirituality grew at tremendous rates in Europe, and particularly in the aspect of the role of women. Fortunately it never was nor probably ever will be denied. In the Asian Rim, where there was also a rapid spreading of "the Spirit-oriented forms of Christianity" (Cox, p.214), the pentecostals also repre-sented their growing presence in the world. And they brought to the country the reemergence of the hidden and repressed spiritualities. And the strength at which they were expanding would not be undermined at all by the "old church structures" (Cox, p.241). And finally in Africa, the pentecostals represent more here than anywhere the great exuberance and eccstaticism that is the African faith.

Chapters 13 - 15: These last three chapters basically bring pentecostalism back to America (in effect), and Cox says that he had tried his best to go out, completely unbiased, and just take in the entire scene happening away from the place of its birth. It took him awhile to decide just how to write the book on his true accounts with pentecostalism; nevertheless, he did decide that the only way to ever do it any justice would be to simply tell the truth, no matter how good or bad. Chapter 14 does go on to talk of the fascination that American have with "demonic spirits and the powers of darkness" (Cox, p.281). Even thugh they do not consider themselves true pentecostals, their beliefs still did intrigue Cox. What he does say that he found most interesting was the fact that so many pentecostals, well nearly almost all, were so concerned with the imminent return of Christ to the earth, but nevertheless became so smitten with the "dominion theology". This opinion for him was one of the ways in which he relays some of the darker sides of the religion, hestitating only at first, but then doing what he did consider right. And last, but certainly not least, chapter 15 basically sums up the entire reason why people are so ready and willing to grasp and fly away with the pentecostal movement. With the new millennium getting closer, they are basically "ready to move on, and are on the lookout for a more promising map of the life-world" (Cox, p.299).

    Question 1: Is the author's portrayal of the religion or religious movement accurate?
    Since up until the time that I read this book I had no previous knowledge of the pentecostals whatsoever, I am not really sure if his accounts are accurate at all. And I would assume that in asking of it's accuracy that it would be comparing it to the world religious studies views. However, I would assume that due to the extent of Harvey Cox's travels and inquiries, that there is no way that his synopsis could be anything but authentic. That is of course unless he simply went out, came back and just wrote a simple essay. And he certainly did not. Throughout the book, he relays over again, how he submerged himself into every aspect of the religion. Whether it was reading ethnic books, visiting the lowest of low congregations, seeking out theologians, or almost always participating in every church's sermon, he delved whole-heartedly into his journey. Therefore, again I must say that because of my previous ignorance and due to his great efforts, I find no reason to dispute his views' authenticity. One other thing, he did mention periodically throughout that he would feel a constant struggle between wanting to tell it like it was and maybe by this, doing them some unec-cesary unjustice.

    Question 2: Is the author fair to the religious group?
    Based on the fact that Harvey Cox was so extremely thorough in his quest, and he did not simply go out and base his opinions and insights on few findings. He went out and gave the pentecostals an open and even playing field. He does say that because of experiences as a young man, that he did have some reservations however, once he began his initial journey he persued it with an open mind and an extremely powerful eagerness to learn.

Conclusion: Before reading this book and even before taking this religion class, I have really never had any previous knowledge at all of any religions. That is of course with the exception of the most common religious events and histories such as Christmas, Easter, and Ash Wednesday. Nevertheless I have been completely amazed and enthralled many times since pursuing the course. Especially after reading this book. I have heard of some of the ideas and practices that are evident and ethnic to the pentecostals such as speaking in tongues, millennialism, the coming of the Spirit, and so on. But I was so amazed by just how eccentric and lively the religion really is. To be completely honest, because I have never attended church on a regular basis, I was under the distinct impression that all of the congregations and their sermons were more or less carbon copies. I know that sounds a little naive, and I am not meaning to be completely inclusive with all of the goings on in their services, I just really thought that they were all praying in sequence, a bit of hymnal singing, and passages read by the pastor (or whatever the different names they have). But I am so interested in the pentecostal movement and I have a great eagerness to go out and experience one of their services for myself.

I sincerely enjoyed reading this book and getting to expand my little known knowledge of religions at all. For the first time in my life I feel as if I could go into a pentecostal church and not feel like I don't belong because I have never been to church at all. Yes I do feel almost as if I am a trespasser when I go into a religious building of any kind. I know it is a ridiculous way to think but I do, but I really do think I would feel at home just simply walking into a pentecostal place of worship.