The Encyclopedia of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity explores the fastest growing movements in Christianity, with numbers second only to the Roman Catholic Church. While "peoples of the Spirit" have appeared throughout Christian history, their real growth has occurred over the past century. Because of their late emergence, they are the continuing subject of religious and social science research.

The volume, written by dozens of expert authors, examines all aspects of the Pentecostal and charismatic movements. Focusing on their historical and worldwide development and using a socio-cultural, anthropological approach, this work explains the concepts, practices and sociology of both movements and analyzes their impact on regional cultures.

The articles in the encyclopedia were developed around a set of themes, including the origins of the various branches and traditions of Pentecostalism; cultural and theological diversity; ecumenical relations with the broader Christian world; conflict between Pentecostals and charismatics; the sociology of Pentecostalism, including the role of women and the place of the poor; and the impact of past and present political and economic conditions on Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity.

This volume is a companion to the Encyclopedia of Fundamentalism, another volume in the Religion & Society series, edited by Brenda Brasher. Although the two movements separated early in the twentieth century, they are often confused. Side by side, these two volumes explain the differences between two major religious movements of the contemporary world.

Stanley M. Burgess is Distinguished Professor of Christian History at Regent University and Professor Emeritus, Missouri State University, and author or editor of numerous books.