The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements
The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements is a comprehensive reference work on charismatic Christianity. It is edited primarily by Stanley M. Burgess. Published in 2002, it is the "revised and expanded edition" of the 1988 Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. Both editions have received positive reviews from scholars. The book has won several awards. Both editions are published by Zondervan. The original edition states the contributors to the volume come from both within and without the movement, and a "balanced overview" is attempted. It concentrates on North America and Europe, where the movement originated; rather than Latin America, Africa, and Asia, where the majority of members are found. The revised and expanded edition again asserts a "balanced overview" and breadth of contributors. While very comprehensive, it does admit some imbalances in coverage mainly due to the absence of complete scholarly data for some countries.
Editions and editors
Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements ed. Stanley M. Burgess and Gary B. McGee, assoc. ed. Patrick H. Alexander.. Part of the Regency Reference Library ; xi + 911 pages.
The New International Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, revised and expanded edition. ed. Stanley M. Burgess; assoc. ed. Eduard M. van der Maas.. xxxi + 1278 pages.
There have been at least 20 or so scholarly reviews, as well as other references. They are listed in chronological order.
First edition reviews
Edgar R. Lee, Paraclete 23:2, p29–30
George R. Knight, Andrews University Seminary Studies 27:1, p78–80: . Knight affirms the article bibliographies as "up-to-date". He commends the work's ideal of an open, balanced overview, yet claims this is met "with varying degrees of success." While he affirms the list of contributors as "impressive", he notes the absence of such leading authorities as Donald W. Dayton and Walter J. Hollenweger on Pentecostalism; and Melvin E. Dieter on the Holiness movement. He also cites imbalance on geographical coverage, and an excess of minor biographies. Yet he concludes it is a "pioneering reference work that is a welcome contribution in a neglected area" and "joins the ranks of essential reference tools for students of modern Christianity."
Walter J. Hollenweger, International Bulletin of Missionary Research 13:4, p181–182
* Walter J. Hollenweger, Expository Times 101:7, p221–222
Donald S. Armentrout, Saint Luke's Journal of Theology 33:1, p71–73
David S. Dockery, Review & Expositor 87:1, p143–144
Stephen R. Graham, Covenant Quarterly 48:2, p40–41
Watson E. Mills, Perspectives in Religious Studies 18:1, p94–96
* Watson E. Mills, Perspectives in Religious Studies 21:3, p264–267
Timothy P. Weber, Themelios 16, p31
Timothy Paul Erdel, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 34:3, p386–388. Erdel states, "It stands alone as a comprehensive overview of the movements, filling a huge lacuna in contemporary Church history . One could scarcely ask for a better reference work at this juncture. It is balanced and authoritative, broad in conception and scope, yet succinct in presentation and exact in detail." It often makes "original, insightful contributions to scholarship", and "marks a new era for understanding and appreciating the fastest growing segment of Christendom". He still cites "major limitations" such as the deliberate bias "toward Europe and North America." "The dictionary certainly does not shrink from the bizarre or the scandalous, nor from searching self-criticism", including of marital problems and falls from glory. He does claim "inadequate" cross-referencing, and cites that "he phenomena of glossolalia and xenolalia in non-Christian religions are barely mentioned", for instance. It is also "invaluable" for understanding non-charismatic evangelicals, because of the currents flowing between the two traditions.
Paul R. Spickard, Christian Scholar's Review 20:3, p313–314
Jean Jacques Suurmond, Bijdragen 53:4, p456
The editors of Christian History stated, "Any student of Pentecostalism should own a copy", and " written and edited by the top scholars of Pentecostalism". Also four reviews are printed on the back cover: Donald Dayton described it as "a major publishing event of great ecumenical significance", "indispensable" to students of the movement, and "useful, exciting, objective and scholarly." Jack W. Hayford described it as "Enlightening!" and furthering "broadened understanding" and "unity". Leo Joseph Suenens called it "a precious instrument for research and dialogue." Thomas F. Zimmerman commented, "A dependable resource tool" and "comprehensive overview"; "It should be a part of every minister's study and religious library." See also Gary B. McGee, A Kaleidoscope of Pentecostalism: The Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements. Missiology 27:1, p59–63. This was a paper presented at the 1998 annual meeting of the American Society of Missiology.
Second edition reviews
Jeffrey Gros, International Review of Mission 91:362, p444
William W. Menzies, Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies 6:1, p145–147
E. Kingsley Larbi, International Bulletin of Missionary Research 27:1, p38
A Christian History article described it as an "indispensable tome" in 2002. A single review by Donald Dayton is printed on the back cover, abridged from the first edition, "A major publishing event of great ecumenical significance... indispensable to those wishing to understand the movement."
