Born again in Brazil
Book Description
In the bustling city of Belém, Brazil, a remarkable spiritual transformation unfolded throughout the twentieth century that would reshape countless lives and communities. R. Andrew Chesnut takes readers into the heart of this profound religious awakening, exploring how Pentecostal churches, particularly the Assemblies of God, became beacons of hope for Brazil's most marginalized populations.
Drawing from extensive church records and deeply personal interviews with converts, this compelling study reveals how faith healing emerged as a powerful catalyst for spiritual transformation among the urban poor. Chesnut illuminates the experiences of slum dwellers who found in Pentecostalism not just religious solace, but tangible healing for both physical ailments and social wounds that traditional institutions had failed to address.
The narrative weaves together the intimate stories of individual believers with the broader social and political dynamics that shaped this movement from 1910 to 1993. Through vivid first-person testimonies, readers encounter the raw authenticity of spiritual encounters that motivated thousands to embrace a new way of life. The book also examines how church leaders navigated the complex intersection of faith and politics in Brazilian society.
This meticulously researched work offers valuable insights into how spiritual communities can emerge as sources of empowerment and healing within challenging social circumstances, making it essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the transformative power of faith in Latin American contexts.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~6 hours)
📄 Length: 203 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Poor--religious life--brazil
- ✓ Explore Armut
- ✓ Explore paths to emotional healing
- ✓ Explore Pentecostal churches--history
- ✓ Explore Religious life
- ✓ Explore Pfingstbewegung
- ✓ Explore Bx8762.a45 b625 1997
- ✓ Explore Armoede
