Zahl (divinity, U. of Cambridge) examines the theology of Lutheran pastor and healer Blumhardt (1842-1919) in order to illuminate the apparent impasse between classical Protestant critiques of enthusiasts and the centrality of a certain conception of personal experience of the Spirit, which is the primary theological distinction of charismatic and Pentecostal Christianity. He argues that Blumhardt was able to hold a form of the experiential pneumatology associated with what is now called Pentecostalism together with a version of classical Lutheran theologia crucis with its attendant radicalized concern over the problem of Christian spiritual self-deception. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)