Second, Jenkins demonstrates that at no time in history did the West have a monopoly on the Christian faith. Readers will be surprised to learn that in A. By revisiting the history of Christianity, Jenkins shows that the explosive growth of Christianity in the non-North Atlantic world is not a Western incursion but is instead a return to a global faith.
Throughout the book the litmus test for success seems to be quantity more than quality, which is understandably more difficult to discern, especially when a broad definition of Christianity is accepted. Literarily engaging, well researched, and jolting, The Next Christendom has justly received wide acclaim. By nearly all standards this is an extraordinary volume. Book reviews are published online and in print every quarter in Bibliotheca Sacra.
The author of From the Ground Up: He has been a theologian in various world cultures including years spent as a missionary in Brazil. Along with cofounding and editing a leading Latin American theological journal, he has written several books in Portuguese and English. Ethnic cleansing is no novelty, as Muslims in Crete and Bulgaria, and Christians in Turkey, Egypt, and Iraq know very well, but henceforth the Islamic Middle East will become increasingly homogeneous, with its Christian populations moving elsewhere, particularly to the Americas.
Meanwhile, a pluralistic Europe may receive some seventy million economic migrants, most of them Muslim, raising the Muslim minority from one percent to approximately 12 percent. One has to hope that recent tensions in Britain with a Muslim minority of 2.
There are, it seems to me, contrary global tendencies, one mainly pluralistic in partial association with Christianity, and one homogenizing, in partial association not only with Islam but with supposedly tolerant faiths like Hinduism and Buddhism. Maybe the conventional characterizations of these faiths in terms of comparative tolerance lack adequate sociological contextualization.
The sub-themes of The Next Christendom mostly relate to the decline in the numerical and intellectual influence of Europe. One consequence is that Orthodox Christianity, stepping eastward from Serbia to the Urals and via earlier Russian expansion to Kamchatka , will stay static, and so no longer be the third party of global Christianity. Judaism will also stay static, with some complicated geopolitical consequences in terms of alliances. Jenkins deserves praise for his willingness to assess realities rather than focus on vague aspirations and righteous indignation.
We have also to recognize that we cannot be morally relativistic, and at the same time lambast southern Christians as backward people misled by Texans on the rampage. If we are going to be nonjudgmental and sensitive to the values, choices, and creativity of others, then even fellow Christians should benefit. The Christian mainstream, and especially the education it provided, contributed massively to the emergence of the ex-colonial world, and a Kofi Annan Methodist or a Julius Nyerere Catholic are witnesses to that.
But the simple facts are that the new world in the south is not made in the northern image, whether with respect to northerners who expected its Catholicism to be liberationist when it more often turned out charismatic or traditional, or with respect to the liberal mainstream of Protestantism. They are more "fundamentalist" and "supernatural-oriented". The main reason, as Jenkins points out, is that the West has, through the Enlightenment, come to see a distinction, a separation, between the sacred and the secular aspect of life.
This divide is completely unheard of in the non-Western parts of the world, where the spiritual realm is seen as still very much in control of the natural world. As such, worship and faith have practical application to, and consequences on, all aspects of life. And in these more "spirit-driven" cultures, as opposed to the West's "Enlightenment-driven" cultures, Scripture continues to have clear application to the problems so prominent in our modern day world--problems of oppression and poverty.
Biblical accounts of exorcism and healing are not considered irrelevant, but are trusted as evidence of what continues to be possible today. Indeed, it is the appearance of healings and miraculous works in the church today that serves to draw unprecedented numbers of new converts. I was inspired by Jenkins to work hard to change my actions, as well as my beliefs and perceptions.
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Having lived the past decade in close relationships with Africans, I have always viewed them as a brother--but as my little brother. I have thought of myself as the teacher, and them as the student. This mentality has to change. Jan 25, Douglas Wilson rated it really liked it Shelves: Jun 09, Valerie rated it it was ok.
Summary The Next Christendom, by Dr.
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Jenkins, is a book about the Christian faith thriving not in the West, but in the global South. They also bring a profound sense of cultural superiority, and a lust for wealth. Then he delves into African prophets mixing Christianity with their cultural pagan practices and beginning a new independent church. Continuing into the next chapter, Jenkins spouts out stats of Pentecostals, Roman Catholics, and Protestant population growth in Latin America and Africa. There is an issue of people saying they are Christian, but do not practice it. The bigger issue is the hundreds of branches of Christianity that disagree on the fundamental and essential issues and incorporate cultural tradition with the Christian faith.
Another difference is that the North practices a separation between church and state, where as the South infuse politics and religion together. Jenkins writes that at one point, Christianity will be so prominent in the politics of the South that the North will define itself against Christianity. However, Christianity is not the only growing religion. As Jenkins wraps up his book, he expresses concern for the Southern churches. He admits that their conservatism might have something to do with their youth and there is still the possibility that as the church grows, so will ideas of liberalism.
He concludes that Christianity will always thrive, but never as weak or as strong as we think it will. The first and most obvious challenge is that many Christians in the global South have a Third World wealth status. The church is responsible for sharing what wealth they have with their fellow brothers and sisters, as well the lost community. Though churches in the North are significantly wealthier than those of the South, they ignore and refuse this responsibility. As the Christian church rapidly continues to grow in the South, this obligation becomes harder to ignore.
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Ironically enough, the churches in the South are not as hording compared to their brothers. In fact, it is because of their lower incomes that they can see money as something that is meant to bless others around them and help provide for their needs. Their generosity in giving does and will challenge wealthier penny-pinching churches. However, there are churches that see Christianity as a means of attaining wealth and health. Jenkins stated that the growth of many southern churches is due to economic circumstances. Missionaries have a responsibility to make it clear that Christianity does not mean prosperity.
The challenge in this is that these Southern churches will find that message hard to believe from a Northern missionary who has never known hunger. Another issue that arises with the growth of the Southern Church is the popularity of Pentecostals. These models have been far more enthusiastic, much more centrally concerned with the immediate workings of the supernatural, through prophecy, visions, ecstatic utterances, and healing. Churches in the South do not need convincing of the supernatural because their cultures already implemented those kinds of beliefs. The difference is that Christ is the source of these supernatural miracles.
As Southern churches grow and become the centers of Christianity, the Northern churches will have to reconsider where they stand on these issues, though eventually these practices will likely find their way into the church regardless. Missionaries working with Southern churches will find these supernatural events as conflicts simply because they do not understand.
Missionaries may see the need to encourage rational thought, but they will also have to admit to these radical workings of the Holy Spirit. Overall, the growing acknowledgment of the supernatural may be exactly what the Christianity of the twenty first century needs and could have massive impact in the world. Lastly, Jenkins points out the problems of inculturation.
What is being practiced, it appears, is not inculturation but syncretism, the blatant adulteration of Christianity by elements of other religions. Churches are challenged to dig into the Bible and discover the core matters of Christianity. Missionaries will be forced to incorporate new cultural practices, yet also speak against the ones that corrupt the original intent of Christianity.
While some of his statistics about Christianity may not be the most accurate because of the difficulty in defining Christianity, his observances of general patterns in the global North and South ring true. Christians should know what their future may hold, what changes they might see, and what challenges they will likely face. Nonetheless, The Next Christendom is definitely a book that Christians should read, contemplate, and discuss.
May 24, [Name Redacted] rated it it was amazing Shelves: A compelling corrective which demonstrates the ways in which modern Western claims particularly by academics and secularists about the impending "death" of Christianity are in fact based on ethnocentrism and cultural myopia. Such claims, as Jenkins demonstrates, fail to take into account the explosive growth of Christianity in Africa, Latin America and Asia over the last few decades -- growth which is generally ignored because it is occuring among peoples whom claimants perhaps subconsciously A compelling corrective which demonstrates the ways in which modern Western claims particularly by academics and secularists about the impending "death" of Christianity are in fact based on ethnocentrism and cultural myopia.
Such claims, as Jenkins demonstrates, fail to take into account the explosive growth of Christianity in Africa, Latin America and Asia over the last few decades -- growth which is generally ignored because it is occuring among peoples whom claimants perhaps subconsciously view as unimportant, insignificant or unworthy of consideration, and because it involves forms of Christianity which the claimants do not even bother to take into account. And growth which I myself have witnessed. A fascinating read, and amazingly thorough.
View all 4 comments. The Next Christendom is a book of incredible scope. And, this is an updated edition which changes content based on a decade or so of history. This is a major undertaking completed for a second time in one man's lifetime. There are aspects of the book that are hard for me, as a conservative Christian, to swallow. The author is very open in his definition of "Christianity," but such openness is necessary for the content of the book.
He also gives an historical overview of the different belief syste The Next Christendom is a book of incredible scope. He also gives an historical overview of the different belief systems that have carried the name Christian through the centuries. The term has not always meant Western, orthodox Christianity, but has included other streams of theology that have not always been far from orthodoxy.
So, the reader should know about this openness going in. The rest of the book is amazing. He shows historical developments and projects trends for the future. The main take away is that Christianity in the global South will in on the rise and in the North will remain steady or be in decline. This will bring major changes to Christianity for the next couple of generations, at a minimum. The information in this book is of vital importance to missions strategy, as well as theological education. Again a case where I wish I could give 4,75 stars, or assign stars to different aspects of a book.
The Next Christendom
Jenkins presents a convincing case that Christianity will dominate the future of humankind. Lots of data, and well-interpreted data too. All in all, a nice counterpoint to the catastrophism about Islam and secularism. View all 6 comments. Apr 04, Aaron Hale rated it liked it Shelves: This book does a really good job at showing discussing the current shift in "Christianity" in the light of historical Christendom.
The only fault I would add, and the author agrees in the book, is that no real distinction is made between types of Christians. The reader needs to be careful to remember the narrow gate and road. Not all who call themselves Christian are.
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Keeping that in mind this book has very deep and useful insight about the future of Christianity in our world. Jul 08, Chris rated it really liked it. This was a great book. I learned so much about current world trends in Christianity, much of which I never would have guessed. As a westerner, it's easy to think of Christianity in the world as being primarily shaped by what happens in the Christian west.
But it is becoming more and more true that the shape of world Christianity is being determined by it's growth in the developing world.
Jun 12, G. Burrow rated it really liked it Shelves: Sep 10, Jesse Broussard rated it really liked it Shelves: Jenkins hits his point from all available angles at least twice, but is nonetheless a very satisfying and surprising read. Feb 20, Timothy rated it it was amazing.
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This book advances a fascinating thesis, that even whilst the Western world heads towards post-Christendom, Christianity is actually growing and expanding as a worldwide phenomenon. It is also evolving into a different kind of Christendom, less culturally Eurocentric and more charismatic and evangelical.
The book devotes much attention to these new and vibrant expressions of the This book advances a fascinating thesis, that even whilst the Western world heads towards post-Christendom, Christianity is actually growing and expanding as a worldwide phenomenon. The book devotes much attention to these new and vibrant expressions of the faith, showing especially the steady process of indigenisation of faith practices once imported from the West.
Consequently, Jenkins posits a growing divergence in the brand of Christianity practised in the West vs. Altogether, the book serves as a tremendous eye-opener on the trajectory of Christian growth in the coming decades and raises uncomfortable questions over the future of Western Christianity. Sep 11, Nance rated it it was ok.
Christians are the dominant religion, then - no Muslims are the dominant religion, now Christians are making a comeback but none of the Christian denominations agree with the other's beliefs or doctrines which ensures fighting, fighting, fighting - the thing they are best at. Jul 01, Brian rated it liked it. Christianity's gravity is moving south. This book predicted that the next pope would come from the global south. This book was also helpful in understanding the broader African diaspora, which we have been working with at one of the schools in my area.
Jul 06, Don Barger rated it it was amazing. Lots of very good statistics and trends on global Christianity, other religions, and shifts. Dec 22, Eric Black rated it really liked it Shelves: Philip Jenkins is a historian who should be read. I first met Philip Jenkins shortly after starting graduate school. He has since transitioned to teaching at Baylor full time, but back in ish he was just a regular and welcome visitor. I had gone with a class to see him give a talk on a topic that was largely an extension of the thesis of The Next Christendom.
After the lecture, professor Jenkins came back to our class and we were able to ask him questions a I first met Philip Jenkins shortly after starting graduate school. After the lecture, professor Jenkins came back to our class and we were able to ask him questions about being a professional historian. Famous for being prolific, a student asked Dr. Jenkins how he writes so many books. He turned to us, in his ill fitting suit and coke bottle glasses, his Pentecostal preacher's hair and British accent, and said that when he sat down to write he asked himself what is the book about, and he always answered it's about pages.
I still tell that story often to people in the education world I encounter.