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Introducing World Christianity

Charles E. Farhadian (Edited by), CE Farhadian (Author), Robert W. Hefner (Preface by)

9781405182485, Wiley

Paperback / softback, published 9 February 2012

296 pages
24.1 x 18.5 x 1.5 cm, 0.499 kg

"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)

This 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. 

  • Provides a comprehensive overview of the spread and impact of world Christianity
  • Contains studies from every major region of the world, including Africa, Asia, Latin America, the North Atlantic, and Oceania
  • Brings together an international team of contributors from history, sociology, and anthropology, as well as religious studies
  • Examines the significant social, cultural, and political transformations in contemporary societies brought about through the influence of Christianity
  • Discusses Protestant, Evangelical, Catholic, and Orthodox forms of the faith
  • Features useful maps and illustrations
  • Combines broader discussions with detailed regional analysis, creating an invaluable introduction to world Christianity

List of Illustrations vii

List of Contributors viii

Foreword ix
Robert W. Hefner

Acknowledgments xi

Map 0.1 Percentage majority religion by province, 2010 xii

Introduction 1
Charles E. Farhadian

Part I: Africa 5

1 Middle Eastern and North African Christianity: Persisting in the Lands of Islam 7
Heather J. Sharkey

2 Christian Belongings in East Africa: Flocking to the Churches 21
Ben Knighton

3 West African Christianity: Padres, Pastors, Prophets, and Pentecostals 36
Ogbu Kalu

4 Christianity in Southern Africa: The Aesthetics of Well-Being 51
Frederick Klaits

Part II: Europe 63

5 Christianity in Western Europe: Mission Fields, Old and New? 65
Simon Coleman

6 Christianity in Eastern Europe: A Story of Pain, Glory, Persecution, and Freedom 77
Peter Kuzmic

Part III: Asia 91

7 Christianity in South Asia: Negotiating Religious Pluralism 93
Arun Jones

8 Christianity in Southeast Asia: Similarity and Difference in a Culturally Diverse Region 108
Barbara Watson Andaya

9 Christianity in East Asia: Evangelicalism and the March First Independence Movement in Korea 122
Timothy S. Lee

Part IV: Americas 137

10 Christianity in North America: Changes and Challenges in a Land of Promise 139
Kevin J. Christiano

11 Central America and the Caribbean: Christianity on the Periphery 154
Virginia Garrard-Burnett

12 Christianity in Latin America: Changing Churches in a Changing Continent 171
Samuel Escobar

13 Brazilian Charisma: Pentecostalized Christianity in Latin America’s Largest Nation 186
R. Andrew Chesnut

Part V: The Pacific 201

14 Christianity in Australia and New Zealand: Faith and Politics in Secular Soil 203
Marion Maddox

15 Christianity in Polynesia: Transforming the Islands 218
Ian Breward

16 Christianity in Micronesia: The Interplay between Church and Culture 230
Francis X. Hezel

17 Christianity in Melanesia: Transforming the Warrior Spirit 244
Garry W. Trompf

Conclusion: World Christianity – Its History, Spread, and Social Influence 259
Robert D. Woodberry

Index 272

Subject Areas: Religion & beliefs [HR]
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