The Toronto Blessing

There is no agreed method or process amongst social scientists or theologians on how to assess and evaluate religous experience.

This paper attempts to assess the complex phenomenology of the Toronto Blesssing (TB) and Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (TACF) through theories of exchange, power and charisma. It offers a number of valuable insights into the TB and its associated social and cultural context. This said, there is also much here with which evangelical Christians, be they mainstream, charismatic or protestant will find themselves in disagreement.

Revd Canon Prof. Martyn Percy has been the Principal of Rippon College, Cuddesdon since 2004. He teaches and researches in three areas: practical theology, modern ecclesiology, and Christianity and contemporary culture. He is involved in most aspects of ministerial formation, and in shaping the life and future of the College. After studying theology at Bristol University, Martyn spent five years as a publisher before commencing ordination training. After a curacy in Bedford, he became Chaplain and Director of Studies at Christ’s College Cambridge. From 1997-2004 he was Director of the Lincoln Theological Institute for the Study of Religion and Society, and Honorary Curate at Holy Trinity Millhouses, Sheffield. Martyn is a regular contributor to Radio 4, The BBC World Service, The Independent, The Guardian and other media. His recent books include Salt of the Earth: Religious Resilience in a Secular Age (T&T Clark), Engagements: Essays on Christianity and Contemporary Culture (Ashgate) and Clergy: The Origin of Species. He has studied at the universities of Bristol, Durham and London. He currently holds an honorary Chair in Theological Education at King's College London, as well as an Adjunct Professorship of Theology and Ministry at Hartford Seminary, Connecticut, USA. He is also Canon Theologian for Sheffield Cathedral and co-ordinates The Society for the Study of Anglicanism at the American Academy of Religion.

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First Published 1996: 76 pages

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