Taxonomy of Pentecostal Churches

Definition

The multifaceted aspect of Pentecostalism is problematic to draw its boundaries using essentialist terms. Since various criteria apply to recognize Pentecostals or Charismatics, it is difficult to categorize their different churches, loose networks, independent congregations, or internal movements. Additionally, while some churches refuse to recognize themselves as Pentecostals, with a self-perception of being just the work of God or the Christian church, mainstream churches consider other groups too heterodox to be Christians, let alone Pentecostals. With such restrains, a typological taxonomy based on a family resemblance (Wittgenstein 2009) for several traits might be the best approach to map the diverse manifestations of Pentecostalism in Latin America.

Introduction

Even before the Azusa Street Revival, when Pentecostalism became a wide publicized movement, there had been charismatic experiences – speaking in tongues, healing deemed miraculous, ecstatic prophesying –...