Age of the Spirit

Anyone interested in modern US Christian history will know about the dramatic rise of Pentecostal and Charismatic forms of faith since the mid-twentieth century, but it is really useful to have this kind of comparative transnational dimension, to prevent us trying to see and explain things only in the specific US context. . . . For all its scholarly credentials, the book is also clearly and effectively written. * Philip Jenkins, Christian Century *
The charismatic renewal changed everything, including ... how history might be written. Spiritscape calls for a spirited account ... The resulting map is richly complex: the Spirit is clearly brilliant at multi-tasking, harvesting seekers from an astonishing array of mystical esoterica as well as the struggling orthodox in need of reviving and marginalised poor and migrants in need of survival rations. Local developments become global movements; Anglophone Christianity flows into the spiritualities of Asia, Africa, Europe and South America; the apparently haphazard morphs into the organic while maintaining uniqueness; ... sympathetic treatment of the novelties of renewal increases the credibility of critical discernment; the weight of massive scholarship is worn lightly in sparkling prose. This book is a miracle and, as such, a worthy account of probably the most significant movement in twentieth-century Christianity. * Associate Professor Stuart Piggin, Macquarie University *
John Maiden's magisterial Age of the Spirit is essential reading for those seeking to understand the connections between the Catholic charismatic renewal and the evolving Christian landscape in the years after the Second Vatican Council. Every page yields surprising details, unappreciated personal connections and rich theological debates across seemingly distinctive forms of denominational identity and ecclesial expression [...] It powerfully intervenes, with closely sketched case studies, into longstanding debates about secularisation and post-Sixties ecclesiological experimentation while also offering new framings of contemporary expressive spirituality and practical ecumenical exchanges. It will become a staple on all modern religious history reading lists. * Dr Alana Harris, Director of Liberal Arts and Reader in Modern British Social, Cultural and Gender History, King's College London *
John Maiden's Age of the Spirit is by far the best study of Anglophone charismatic renewal in global context. Not only is this beautifully written book abundant with meticulous new research from diverse archival sources, it is also theoretically sophisticated, offering new interpretive paradigms for understanding the global impact of this crucial movement. Maiden's book is instantly essential reading for anyone seeking to understand contemporary manifestations of charismatic-style Christianity, from Hillsong to Pope Francis and all points between. * Rev Dr Caleb Maskell, Associate National Director, Vineyard USA *
As a participant in many of its dimensions I sometimes recalled the journalistic nostrum, 'Anybody who thinks they know what's going on clearly doesn't understand the situation!' Maiden's book goes a long way to remedying that situation and also poses the question, 'What would today's church be like if it all had never happened?' * Nigel G. Wright, Baptist Quarterly *
Maiden offers a wide-ranging and impressively documented assessment of a key turning point in the history of charismatic Christianity that can be read with profit by Pentecostal and Anglican scholars alike. The centrepiece of Age of the Spirit are his three chapters devoted respectively to "Mediation", "Body", and "Imagination". * Jeremy Bonner, Lindisfarne College of Theology *
Some books are flabby, but Age of the Spirit is not. There is one theme per chapter so that each topic is dealt with distinctly; and yet ingeniously Age of the Spirit incorporates chronological development as well, so that the reader is taken through the time period. The book gives great aesthetic satisfaction by its structure. The international dimension is very striking...The book is not just about the period 1945-1980. It also extends backwards beyond 1945 to the nineteenth century and even back to John Wesley and to the Reformation. It has an eye for the long-term processes that led into renewal and perhaps even more valuably for the reader there is suggestiveness about what followed. This is a landmark book. * David Bebbington, University of Stirling *
John Maiden's groundbreaking work explores the contours of the global Charismatic movement - the character of its people and the nature of its networks. A tour-de-force exploration of the people, places, practices, and imaginary of Charismatic Christianity, Age of the Spirit is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the global movement that is reshaping Christianity in the twenty-first century. * Leah Payne, George Fox University and Portland Seminary, Anglo-world and global Christianity *
A must-read for scholars of global Christianity, religious historians, and cultural and reception historians of the Anglo-world, this book will be required reading for modern Christian history and global Christianity courses and is a jumping-off point for researchers of modern Anglo and global Christianity. * Allison Kach-Yawnghwe, Religious Studies Review *
Maiden's detailed analysis of what he calls the 'Spiritscape', the global spiritual geography in which flows of charismatic teaching, Spirit-focused hymnody and even claims to apostolic or prophetic authority moved from continent to continent, is the most impressive aspect of the book. Future studies of the movement cannot afford to neglect his evidence of the major roles played by Australian and New Zealand charismatic leaders and song-writers. The charismatic movement is perhaps the outstanding Christian example of globalisation. [...] this is a fine piece of research on a global Christian movement which will set the direction of all future work. * Brian Stanley, Journal of Ecclesiastical History *
This is... a truly ground-breaking study -a work described by Stuart Piggin as 'a miracle'. It is superbly written and it will repay reading and re reading in order to follow the dazzling array of strands of spiritual renewal that John Maiden has uncovered. * Ian Randal, Journal of European Baptist Studies *
Maiden's study is a highly significant book, and a crucial study for those seeking to understand recent Christian developments. * David Ceri Jones, Proceedings of the Wesley Historical Society *
The book is a highly readable, compellingly argued account of one of the most significant ecclesial phenomena of the 20th and 21st centuries. It will be an essential reading for those interested in the impact of charismatic renewal on mission and evangelism, particularly church growth theories, in Pentecostalism and global Christianity in contemporary times. * Alison Ruth Kolosova, Mission Studies 41 *
The book is a highly readable, compellingly argued account of one of the most significant ecclesial phenomena of the 20th and 21st centuries. It will be an essential reading for those interested in the impact of charismatic renewal on mission and evangelism, particularly church growth theories, in Pentecostalism and global Christianity in contemporary times. * Alison Ruth Kolosova, Mission Studies 41 *