Bibliography on NERMs

Adas Michael 1979 Prophets of Rebellion: Millenarian Protest Movements against the European Colonial Order Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. Five revolts with religious dimensions: Java War 1825–30, Pai Marire (Maoris in New Zealand), Birsa (India), Maji Maji (Tanzania), Saya San (Burma).

Hesselgrave David J. (ed) 1978 Dynamic Religious Movements Grand Rapids: Baker Book House. Twelve movements including Martin M.-L. on Kimbanguism, African Zionist movements, Iglesia ni Cristo (Philippines), Caodism (Viet-Nam), Umbanda (Brazil), Unification Church (Korea), Soka Gakkai (Japan). The editor discusses their growth and lessons for Christianity.

Lanternari Vittorio 1963 Religions of the Oppressed New York: Knopf; London: MacGibbon and Kee; 1965 New York: Mentor Books. The first world survey, from a political and anti-colonial stance; information sometimes wrong and now dated.

Lausanne Committee on World Evangelization 1980 The Thailand Report on New Religious Movements Wheaton and London: the Lausanne Committee. A brief but comprehensive survey, mainly on those related to primal societies, with causes, suggestions for a Christian approach, bibliography, etc.; sloppy on detail.

Oosterwal Gottfried 1973 Modern Messianic Movements Elkhart: Institute of Mennonite Studies. The best general introduction from a Christian theological viewpoint, by Andrews University head of missions studies.

Thrupp Sylvia L. (ed) 1962 Millennial Dreams in Action The Hague: Mouton; reprinted 1970 New York: Schocken Books.

Turner Harold W. 1971 “A New Field in the History of Religions” Religion: Journal of Religion and Religions Vol. 1 (1):15–23 1973 “A Further Dimension for Missions: New Religious Movements in the Primal Societies” International Review of Mission Vol. 62:321–337 1974 “Tribal Religious Movements — New” Encyclopaedia Britannica Macropaedia 18, pp. 697–705. A theoretical analysis and historical survey. 1981 “New Vistas: Missionary and Ecumenical. Religious Movements in Primal Societies” Mission Focus Vol. 9(3):45–55. A survey for missiologists, with emphasis on North America.

Wallace A.F.C. 1956 “Revitalization Movements” American Anthropologist Vol. 58:264–281. An influential theoretical framework interpreting NERMs as attempts to relieve cultural strain.

Wilson Bryan R. 1973 Magic and the Millennium New York: Harper and Row; London: Heinemann; reprinted 1975 Paladin Books and 1978 New York: Beekman. More comprehensive than Lanternari, with informative footnotes and large bibliography; attempts a theoretical sociological world framework, forced on the data; reductionist view of religion, but valuable none-the-less. Africa.

Andersson Efraim 1958 Messianic Popular Movements in the Lower Congo Uppsala: Almqvist and Wiksell; London: Paul Kegan . A major study of prophets and Kimbanguism in the Congo Republic and Zaire from 1921, by a missionary scholar.

Baëta C.G.K. 1962 Prophetism in Ghana: A Study of Some Spiritual Churches London: SCM. A Ghanaian theologian on some five of the older and larger movements.

Barrett David B. 1968 Schism and Renewal in Africa: An Analysis of Six Thousand Contemporary Religous Movements Nairobi and London: Oxford University Press. The only Africa-wide survey: focuses on the Christian sector and offers extensive information, and a theoretical system for explaining the rise and predicting the emergence of these movements. The best-known work on the African area.

Bond George C. (eds) 1979 African Christianity: Patterns of Religious Continuity New York/London: Academic. Press. Includes essays on the Harris Churches, Church of the Messiah (Ghana), AME Church in Zambia, Johane Maranke's Apostles in Central Africa, and the Lumpa Church of Alice Lenshina in Zambia. Stresses cultural continuities rather than Christian innovations.

Daneel Marthinus L. 1971 Old and New in Southern Shona Independent Churches Vol. 1 Background and Rise 1974 Old and New in Southern Shona Independent Churches Vol. 2 Church Growth — Causative Factors and Recruitment Techniques The Hague: Mouton. Two more volumes to come; the most extensive study of one group ever attempted; by the Afrikaner missionary scholar who founded an independent church association for mutual development.

Dillon-Malone Clive M. 1978 The Korsten Basketmakers. A Study of the Masowe Apostles, an Indigenous African Movement Manchester: Manchester University Press. A Catholic missionary scholar on an important innovative movement.

Fernandez James W. 1982 Bwiti: An Ethnography of the Religious Imagination in Africa Princeton: Princeton University Press. Too large and too expensive, but represents an anthropologist's life's work on a diverse movement in Gabon.

Hackett Rosalind I. J. i.p. The Celestial Church of Christ: a Profile Ibadan: Ibadan University Press. A dynamic independent church founded in Benin and spreading widely.

Haliburton G.M. 1971 The Prophet Harris … an African Prophet and His Mass-Movement in the Ivory Coast and Gold Coast, 1913–1915 Harlow: Longman; 1973 New York: Oxford University Press.

Jules-Rosette Bennetta 1975 African Apostles. Ritual and Conversion in the Church of John Maranke Ithaca/London: Cornell University Press. A comprehensive study, set in Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe, by a black American sociologist, converted to the Church during field work.

Jules-Rosette Bennetta (ed) 1979 The New Religions of Africa Norwood, N.J.: Ablex Publishing Corp. With emphasis on place of women in Maranke Apostles, Harris movement, Twelve Apostles Church, Masowe Apostles, Jamaa and East African Revival.

Martin Marie-Louise 1975 Kimbangu: an African Prophet and His Church Oxford: B. Blackwell; 1976 Grand Rapids: Eerdmans. By the Swiss Reformed missionary-theologian who heads the K imbanguist seminary and has become a full member.

Omoyajowo J. Akinyele 1982 Cherubim and Seraphim: The History of an African Independent Church New York/London/Lagos: Nok Publishers. A Nigerian scholar on one of the three important groups in the original aladura movement.

Oosthuizen Gerhardus C. 1968 Post-Christianity in Africa London: C. Hurst. Mostly on independent movements — survey, classification, features; and Dutch Reformed theological critique.

Peel J.D.Y. 1968 Aladura: A Religious Movement among the Yoruba London: Oxford University Press. Written by a non-reductionist sociologist on the Christ Apostolic Church and the Cherubim and Seraphim Societies, the main members of the original aladura movement.

Shepperson George Price Thomas 1958 Independent African Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. A massive, historical study of John Chilembwe, founder of the first independent church in Malawi, and now a national martyr.

Sundkler Bengt G.M. 1961 Bantu Prophets in South Africa 2nd edn. London: Oxford University Press. The first major and now classic study of Zulu movements, by a Lutheran missionary. 1976 Zulu Zion and Some Swazi Zionists Lund: Gleerups. Biographies of influential earlier figures and the subsequent history of important movements.

Turner Harold W. 1967 African Independent Church. Vol. 1 History of an African Independent Church Vol. 2 African Independent Church: the Life and Faith of the Church of the Lord (Aladura) Oxford: Clarendon Press. The first detailed study of a single church (West African) — historical, phenomenological, liturgical and theological. 1979 Religious Innovation in Africa. Collected Essays on New Religious Movements Boston: G.K. Hall & Co.

Walker Shiela S. 1983 The Religious Revolution in the Ivory Coast Durham: University of North Carolina Press. Prophet Harris' impact on society — by a black anthropologist.

Webster J.B. 1964 The African Churches Among the Yoruba 1882–1922 Oxford: Clarendon Press. The “African” or Ethiopian-type churches founded in Lagos.

Welbourn F.B. 1961 East African Rebels London: SCM Press. On three important movements among the Ganda and one among the Kikuyu, from the 1920s.

West M.E. 1975 Bishops and Prophets in a Black City. African Independent Churches in Soweto, Johannesburg Capetown: D. Philip; London: Rex Collings. By an anthropologist with a feeling for religion.

Wyllie Robert W. 1980 The Spirit-Seekers: New Religious Movements in Southern Ghana Missoula: Scholars Press. An anthropologist describes the Winneba area in the 1960s.

Asia/Oceania.

Berndt Ronald M. 1962 An Adjustment Movement in Arnhem Land The Hague: Mouton. The only extended account in English of an Australian aboriginal movement.

Binney Judith 1979 Mihaia: The Prophet Rua Kenana and his Community at Maungapohatu Wellington: Oxford University Press. A beautiful photographic essay on an early 20th century Maori movement.

Burridge K.O.L. 1960 Mambu: A Melanesian Millennium London: Methuen; repr. 1970 New York: Harper and Row. The “Black King” movement in New Guinea sensitively interpreted as a search for a ‘new man’ in a morally renewed society, fully accepted by the wider world. 1969 New Heaven, New Earth: A Study of Millenarian Activities Oxford: B. Blackwell; New York: Schocken Books. The best anthropological interpretation of cargo cults.

Earhart H. Byron 1974 “The New Religions of Korea: A Preliminary Interpretation” Transactions, Korea Branch, Royal Asiatic Society Vol. 49:7–25. Over 200 new religions since mid-nineteenth century.

Ellwood Douglas J. 1968 Churches and Sects in the Philippines Dumaguete City: Silliman University Press. A first report on over 350 distinct bodies (excluding Catholic ones), the majority beginning since World War II.

Fuchs Stephen 1965 Rebellious Prophets: A Study of Messianic Movements in Indian Religions London/New York: Asia Publishing House. The only work on the tribal movements, by a Catholic scholar.

Henderson J. McL. 1972 Ratana Wellington: Reed/Polynesian Society. The first historical account of the largest Maori movement in New Zealand.

Kamma F.C. 1972 Koreri. Messianic Movements in the Biak-Numfor Culture Area The Hague: M. Nijhoff. The major work on Irian Jaya, with excellent bibliography, by a missionary scholar.

Kartodirdjo S. 1973 Protest Movements in Rural Java. … in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries Jakarta/London: Oxford University Press. Note particularly chapter 3 on messianic movements and chapter 4 on revival and sectarian movements, some of which are anti-Islamic.

Lawrence Peter 1964 Road Belong Cargo: A Study of the Cargo Movement in … New Guinea Manchester: Manchester University Press; 1967 New York: Humanities Press; Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. A monumental anthropological work using explanations based on world views rather than on socio-cultural situations.

Institute Melanesian 1974 “The Church and Adjustment Movements” Point No. 1. Case studies of cargo-type movements with interpretations and pastoral applications. 1983 “Religious Movements in Melanesia Today” Point Series 1984 Nos. 2–4; supplementary book Religious Movements in Melanesia No. 2 represents case studies, including Irian Jaya; No. 3 focusses on the newer spiritist movements; No. 4 on general issues; supplementary volume of seminar papers.

Stern Theodore 1968 “Ariya and the Golden Book: A Millenarian Buddhist Sect among the Karen” Journal of Asia Studies Vol. 27 (2):297–328. Important article surveying Buddhist movements, with detailed study of the Telakhon cult and good references.

Strelan John G. 1977 Search for Salvation. Studies in the History and Theology of Cargo Cults Adelaide: Lutheran Publishing House. The first theological interpretation, by a Lutheran missionary.

Trompf Garry (ed) 1977 Prophets of Melanesia. Six Essays Port Moresby: Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies. New materials, including three essays by nationals, written from history of religions viewpoint.

Tuggy A.L. 1976 Iglesia ni Cristo. A Study in Independent Church Dynamics Quezon City: Conservative Baptist Publishing Inc. A comprehensive first-hand study in an irenic spirit.

Turner Harold W. 1978 “Old and New Religions in Melanesia” Point No. 2:5–29. The concluding response at the Melanesian Institute's seminar 1976, with suggestions as to methodology.

Van Arsdale P. W. 1975 “Reactive change and the redistribution of power. The ‘Lord of the earth’ cult” in Trenkenschuh F.A. (ed) Perspectives on Development in Asmat (Asmat Sketch Book 5) Hastings, Nebraska: Crozier Missions, pp. 146–172. The “Lord of the Earth” cult amid the Catholic Mission in S.E. Irian Jaya.

Worsley P.M. 1968 The Trumpet Shall Sound: A Study of ‘Cargo Cults’ in Melanesia New York: Schocken Books; London: MacGibbon and Kee. Second enlarged edition of a sociological work, better for historical information than for interpretation.

Latin America/Caribbean.

Barrett Leonard E. 1977 The Rastafarians: The Dreadlocks of Jamaica Kingston: Sangsters/London: Heinemann Educational. A Jamaican scholar on this counter-culture; first issued 1969.

Bastide Roger 1978 The African Religions of Brazil Baltimore and London: John Hopkins University Press (from French original 1960). The major sociological study by the leading expatriate scholar. 1971 African Civilizations in the New World London: C. Hurst (from French original 1967). Complementary to and less exhaustive than Simpson (1978), ranging from African primal traditions through the Caribbean to Brazil.

Butt Audrey J. 1967 “The Birth of a Religion” in Middleton J. (ed) Gods and Rituals Garden City, NY: Natural History Press: 377–435. An anthropologist on the Hallelujah religion in the interior of Guyana.

Glazier Stephen D. (ed) 1980 Perspectives on Pentecostalism: Case Studies from the Caribbean and Latin America Washington D.C.: University Press of America. Valuable studies from Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Belize and especially on Umbanda as outstripping Pentecostalism in Brazil.

González-Wippler Migene 1973 Santeria: African Magic in Latin America New York: Julian Press Inc. The first substantial work in English on the main Afro-Cuban religion.

Mulrain George MacDonald 1984 Theology in Folk Culture. The Theological Significance of Haitian Folk Religion Frankfurt/New York: Peter Lang. A sympathetic Trinidadian Methodist on Vodou.

Owens Joseph 1979 Dread: the Rastafarians of Jamaica London: Heinemann. A Catholic priest's understanding account.

Simpson George E. 1978 Black Religions in the New World New York: Columbia University Press. The life work of a social anthropologist, covering all religions related to an African background in both Americas and the Caribbean.

Turner Harold W. 1980 “New Religious Movements in the Caribbean” in Gates B.E. (ed) Afro-Caribbean Religions London: Ward Lock Educational pp. 49–57.

North America

Aberle David F. 1982 The Peyote Religion among the Navaho Chicago: University of Chicago Press. A major anthropological study; this religion expanded against all opposition.

Barnett H.G. 1957 Indian Shakers Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press. The major study of this continuing movement in the Northwest USA.

Chamberlain A.F. 1913 “New Religions among North American Indians” Journal of Religious Psychology Vol. 6:1–49. An early general survey, including Canada and Central America, with quotations from inaccessible sources.

Howard James H. 1965 “The Kenakuk Religion: An Early Nineteenth Century Revitalization Movement 140 Years Later” Museum News (University of South Dakota) Vol. 26 (11–12): 1–49.

Hultbrantz Åke 1975 “Conditions for the Spread of the Peyote Cult in North America” in Biezais H. (ed) New Religions Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell International. A profound study by the main authority on North American Indian religions.

Jorgensen Joseph G. 1972 The Sun Dance Religion. Power for the Powerless Chicago: University of Chicago Press. A massive study, including Christian influences and reference to other movements.

LaBarre Weston 1938 The Peyote Cult New Haven: Yale University Press; 1975 4th enlarged edn. New York: Schocken Books. Updated version of a standard work, from an anthropological viewpoint unsympathetic to Christian influences.

Marriott Alice Rachlin Carol K. 1971 Peyote New York: Crowell. A good, popular, anthropologist's survey based on intimate experience.

Mooney James 1896 The Ghost Dance Religion … of 1890 Washington D.C.: Bureau of American Ethnology; several reprints in whole or part including: 1973 Glorieta, N.M.: Rio Grande Press; 1973 New York: Dover Publications; 1965 abridged Chicago: University of Chicago Press. The classic anthropological work also covering other movements more briefly, with rich detail.

Ober Sarah E. 1910 “A New Religion among the West Coast Indians” The Overland Monthly Series 2, Vol. 56:583–594. A remarkable early account of the Indian Shakers, as ‘slowly evolving into a Christian religion,’ by a missionary.

Slotkin James S. 1975 The Peyote Religion repr. New York: Octagon Books. A heavily documented more inside view by a white anthropologist who became a member.

Spicer Edward H. 1962 Cycles of Conquest … Indians of the Southwest, 1533–1960 Tucson: University of Arizona Press. An anthropologist's lifework, including Yaqui and Mayo churches, Holy Ground Religion, etc.

Starkloff Carl F. 1974 The People of the Centre. American Indian Religion and Christianity New York: Seabury Press. By a Catholic missiologist with intimate experience of the Sun Dance, Peyote religion and other movements discussed.

Steinmetz Paul B. 1980 Pipe, Bible and Peyote among the Oglala Lakota Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiksell. On the traditional (sacred pipe), Christian and new movement (Peyote) dimensions of religion among Indians, by a Catholic missionary who has pioneered symbolic use of the pipe and established relations with peyotists.

Stewart Omer C. 1944 Washo-Northern Ute Peyotism: A Study in Acculturation Berkeley: University of California Press. With emphasis on the healing functions and Christian elements, and rejection of purely sociological explanations. i.p. History of the Peyote Religion. A major work, based on a lifetime of contact and research, and tracing the Christian influences.

Sturtevant William (gen ed) 1978 Handbook of North American Indians Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution 20 vols. A new series in process; see vols. 18–19 for biographies, and vol. 20 index, for individual movements and sections by Aberle D.F. Bean L.J. Hultkrantz A. Jorgensen J.G. Ortiz A. Stewart O.C. Wallace A.F.C. , etc.

Turner Harold W. 1973 “Old and New Religions Among North American Indians” Missiology Vol. 1(2):47–66. Religious creativity in the context of the sad history of Indian missions.

Wallace A.F.C. 1970 The Death and Rebirth of the Seneca New York: Knopf; 1973 New York: Random House. An anthropologist's definitive work on the Handsome Lake or Longhouse Religion among the Iroquois.