Description
Book SynopsisThis interdisciplinary introduction offers students a truly global overview of the worldwide spread and impact of Christianity. It is enriched throughout by detailed historic and ethnographic material, showing how broad themes within Christianity have been adopted and adapted by Christian denominations within each major region of the world.
Trade Review"This volume acknowledges the polycentric nature of Christian ecumene. It combines historical breadth and sociological depth. ...With its rich variety of research methods, writing styles, and case studies, this volume is a welcome addition to the field of world Christianity and could be a valuable reference book both to experts and lay readers." (Mission Studies, 2013)
“Any scholar wanting background information on Christianity in any region of the world will find this book very helpful.” (Ecclesiastical History, 1 July 2013)
“I do think, however, there is some merit in understanding how the world views Christianity at large. Because of that, I do recommend this resource with the qualification that the reader realize that this book is painting with extremely large strokes the Christian faith.” (Christian Book Notes, 1 July 2013)
“It should prove to be a valuable resource for both classroom and specialist use. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty.” (Choice, 1 October 2012)
Table of ContentsDedication.
Contents.
List of Contributors.
Map of World Christianity.
Preface (Robert W. Hefner).
Acknowledgments.
Introduction (Charles E. Farhadian).
Part I: AFRICA.
1: Middle Eastern & North African Christianity: Persisting in the Lands of Islam (Heather Sharkey).
2: Christian Belongings in East Africa: Flocking to the Churches (Ben Knighton).
3: West African Christianity: Padres, Prophets, Pastors, and Pentecostals (Ogbu Kalu).
4: Christianity in Southern Africa: The Aesthetics of Well-Being (Frederick Klaits).
Part II: EUROPE.
5: Christianity in Western Europe: Mission Fields, Old and New? (Simon Coleman).
6: Christianity in Eastern Europe: A Story of Pain, Glory, Persecution, and Freedom (Peter Kuzmic).
Part III: ASIA.
7: Christianity in South Asia: Negotiating Religious Pluralism (Arun Jones).
8: Christianity in Southeast Asia: Similarity and Difference in a Culturally Diverse Region (Barbara Watson Andaya).
9: Christianity in East Asia: Evangelicalism and the March First Independence Movement in Korea (Timothy S. Lee).
Part IV: AMERICAS.
10: Christianity in North America: Changes and Challenges in a Land of Promise (Kevin J. Christiano).
11: Central America and the Caribbean: Christianity on the Periphery (Virginia Garrard-Burnett).
12: Christianity in Latin America: Changing Churches in a Changing Continent (Samuel Escobar).
13: Brazilian Charisma: Pentecostalized Christianity in Latin America’s Largest Nation (R. Andrew Chesnut).
Part V: THE PACIFIC.
14: Christianity in Australia and New Zealand: Faith and Politics in Secular Soil (Marion Maddox).
15: Christianity in Polynesia: Transforming the Islands (Ian Breward).
16: Christianity in Micronesia: The Interplay Between Church and Culture (Francis X. Hezel).
17: Christianity in Melanesia: Transforming the Warrior Spirit (Garry W. Trompf).
Conclusion: World Christianity: It's History, Spread, and Social Influence (Robert D. Woodberry).
