Why do we need to look at Pentecostalism differently than other Christian movements?

Pentecostalism should be studied differently than other Christian movements for several reasons, largely because of its unique theological, cultural, and social characteristics. Pentecostalism has become one of the fastest-growing Christian movements, particularly in the Global South (Latin America, Africa, and Asia). Its rapid expansion, especially in economically disadvantaged regions, requires study from a global and sociological perspective. This approach is critical to understand how it interacts with issues like poverty, social mobility, and political change. It often reshapes social structures in local communities by offering new forms of social support, empowering women, and creating alternative networks of authority. Pentecostalism is more fluid and less institutionalized than many other Christian movements. This makes it particularly dynamic and adaptable in different cultural contexts. It is marked by a high degree of local variation in belief and practice, which requires ethnographic and field-based research methods to capture its diversity. Pentecostalism engages with modern innovations in unique ways, blending traditional religious practices with modern media, technology, and entertainment.

As a result of this complex movement we call Pentecostalism, experts have developed four different ways to study Pentecostalism. Each method alone can be used for insight on what Pentecostalism is and how it shapes society. In my opinion, a combination of all four methods is the only way to get a full understanding of the movement. Below are the methods.