"Pentecostalism and all that Jazz: Tracing James Baldwin's Religion"

This essay considers the theme of religion in the work of James Baldwin. Although it is well-documented that Baldwin was a child preacher, and although much of his work draws on this experience, there is little sustained criticism on the impact of religion on his life and work and few scholars have explored the impact of the writers Pentecostal background. This article maintains that Baldwins Pentecostal background is central to an understanding of his complicated views on Christianity, illuminating the connections in his work between music and the church. The article concludes by exploring Baldwins concept of love, arguing that this troublesome concept is central to the authors exploration of religion and community. © 2008 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press 2008; All rights reserved.