Introducing World Christianity - Paperback

by Charles E. Farhadian (Editor), Robert W. Hefner (Preface by)

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

Back Jacket

"We have good reason to welcome the publication of Introducing World Christianity. Capably guided by editor Charles Farhadian, the highly qualifi ed authors of this compendium lucidly interpret these times of rapid growth and often confusing change in global Christianity. The book integrates historical interpretation with perspectives informed by expertise in the social sciences, while taking account of the essentially missionary nature of the Christian Church. This will become a standard reference work." Darrell L. Guder, Princeton Theological Seminary

This is an engaging multidisciplinary introduction to the worldwide spread and impact of Christianity. Bringing together chapters from leading scholars in history, sociology, anthropology, and religious studies, this book examines the major transformations in contemporary societies brought about through the influence of Christianity. Each chapter shows how the broad themes within Christianity have been adopted and adapted by Christian denominations within each major region of the world. In this way, the book paints a global picture of the impact of Christianity, enriched by detailed historic and ethnographic material for each particular region. Throughout, the chapters examine Protestant, Evangelical, Catholic, and Orthodox forms of Christianity. The combination of broader perspectives and deep analysis of particular regions, illuminating the social, cultural, political, and religious features of changes brought about by Christianity, makes this book essential reading for students of world Christianity.

Author Biography

Charles E. Farhadian is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Westmont College, Santa Barbara. His books include Christianity, Islam, and Nationalism in Indonesia (2005), The Testimony Project: Papua (2007), Christian Worship Worldwide (2007), and The Oxford Handbook of Religious Conversion (co-edited with Lewis R. Rambo, forthcoming).