Pundits regularly declare that Christianity is dying. And in a way they are correct. Its golden age of influence is long gone in Western Europe, and similar trends are happening in North America. But while it slowly dies in the West, Christianity has been coming to life in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.Christianity is rising.Megachurches in Nigeria, India, and South Korea have tens of thousands of members. The largest Roman Catholic populations in the world are found in Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines. And sociologists predict that there could be nearly 600 million Christians in China by 2040.Now immigrants, refugees, and missionaries from the Global South look to former strongholds of Christian influence in the West as new mission fields, bringing their vibrant faith to our shores. They are bringing the gospel back to us in new and surprising ways.The future of Christianity is bright, you just have to look around.
Dyron B. Daughrity is professor of religion at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He is author of To Whom Does Christianity Belong? and series editor for Understanding World Christianity, all from Fortress Press.
Dedication Acknowledgments Introduction 1. The Staggering Decline of Christianity in Western Europe 2. The Death and Resurrection of Christianity in Russia 3. The United States: Is Christianity Dying or Thriving? 4. The Jesuits: The Greatest Missionaries of All Time 5. African Encounters with Christianity 6. Embracing Christ in Asia 7. Coming to America: Asians and Latinos Stake Their Claim 8. America's Role: To Be Good Soil 9. Christianity Is Changing... and It's Worth Celebrating
"With delightful personal stories from Malaysia to New Mexico, Daughrity takes readers on a fascinating journey one regional block at a time. An excellent resource for those who want to learn about Christianity from a global perspective." --Derek Cooper, Biblical Theological Seminary "Daughrity's personal narrative approach is refreshing and effective. It brings the reader close to some of the most dynamic expressions of Christian worship and witness around the world today." --Joel A. Carpenter, Calvin College "Writing with his trademark clarity and engaging style, Daughrity offers an informative tour of world Christianity that is the fruit of the best historical scholarship and the passion of a missiologist." --Peter C. Phan, Ellacuria Chair of Catholic Social Thought, Georgetown University
