Kirsch, Thomas G. <br/><br/>
Spirits and Letters  Reading, writing and charisma in African Christianity 
Thomas G. Kirsch 
 - U.S.A.  Berghahn Books  2008 
 - 274tr.  Hardcover, illustrations  24cm 
<br/><br/> Studies of religion have a tendency to conceptualise 'the Spirit' and 'the Letter' as mutually exclusive and intrinsically antagonistic. However, the history of religions abounds in cases where charismatic leaders deliberately refer to and make use of writings. This book challenges prevailing scholarly notions of the relationship between 'charisma' and 'institution' by analysing reading and writing practices in contemporary Christianity. Taking up the continuing anthropological interest in Pentecostal-charismatic Christianity, and representing the first book-length treatment of literacy practices among African Christians, this volume explores how church leaders in Zambia refer to the Bible and other religious literature, and how they organise a church bureaucracy in the Pentecostal-charismatic mode... 
<br/><br/><label>ISBN: </label>9781845454838 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Topical Terms: </label><br/>Christianity -- Africa<br/>Church history
<br/><br/><label>Dewey Class. No.: </label>289.94  / T454-K61