Embodying the Spirit: New Perspectives on North American Revivalism

Recent scholars of American religion have shown new interest in evangelicalism and pentecostalism. Of particular interest is the subject of revivalism--an enthusiastic or ecstatic form of religion that has affected American religious institutions, ideas, behavior, and adherents throughout the nation's history. In Embodying the Spirit Michael J. McClymond and his contributors offer a new look at this extensive and often puzzling phenomenon. Going beyond institutional history, they examine a wide range of cases, from colonial to contemporary America. The contributors explore the role of gender, church architecture, Latino revivalism, youth groups, radio evangelism, Catholic revivalism, and recent events such as the Toronto Blessing--an outbreak of laughter, crying, and dancing that began at Toronto's Airport Vineyard Church in 1994 and has since spread to other congregations throughout the world.