 "The New Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity" | 2009-10-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3GOPWHKKBNXCY |
| Everthing seemed to be in order! I was very glad to see that the 2d edtion of this book was available at a good price. |
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| "Precarious development" | 2009-03-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3RXEZ2XX8SOHI |
The future of Christendom does not look so bright? This is the question after reading the book of Jenkins. Here it is shown that it cannot be spoken of a decline of Christianity in numbers.
On the contrary! All data and facts indicate that the geographic emphasis of the Christian world shifted to the South, especially to Africa, Asia, South America. The Christian religions are no longer religions of the white people or of the "West". This is one thing. But the "but" is important to notice. Jenkins says, the forms of Christendom that spread strongest on the Southern Hemisphere differ very much from that what many Europeans and Americans regard as Christian.
The example of Brazil illustrates this, where mainly charismatic churches have an intake. Not astonishing when considering how much Brazilians favour spirituality, voodoo-magic etc.
Therefore they were closer to Catholicism with its sacramentalism and ritual cults standing close to the known forms of spiritualism.
Jenkins says that this Christendom is far more enthusiastic and has to do much more with the direct effects of the supernatural by prophecy, vision, ecstatic results of belief and healings.
The information service "Topic" concludes: Should the world situation not alter the next few decades Christians with dark hair and a strongly charismatic belief would make the majority.
This means that evangelical and biblical Christendom lose more and more influence, are less heard and make place to a Christendom that will have much in common with the euphoric mood, which characterizes other religions and beliefs found in New Age, Esoteric, Buddhism etc. To this the "all is possible" and "all is permitted" suits better than the claiming biblical belief.
Much commonality is the presupposition for an already now from many aspired world ecumenism which then would be able to make its voice laudable with more emphasis.
That could be an important presupposition for a common declaration of will and a sort of world peace which is again only a hollow peace. Apparently a foreseeable development.
A very interesting contribution to understand the development of Christianity.
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 "A Book of Hope" | 2009-02-14 |
| - Reviewed By michaelmilton |
Jenkins' writing is exciting, but his research and findings are even more so. As I read the book in one sitting, I put the book down and prayed a prayer of thanksgiving and I rose again with a new hope for our generation. Let me explain.
Jenkins not only documents the robust condition of the Church in Africa and Asia and Latin America, which was hopeful enough, but shows something else: that the much prayed-for renewal of the Western Church may just be in the immigration of Third World peoples who bring their faithful (conservative) Christianity (Latin Catholics, African Anglicans and Asian Presbyterians) into the weak, Postmodern remnants of what we all have come to see as a dying West. I believe that Jenkin's work is some of the most important writing in Christianity today. This book (and indeed the other two in this trilogy) is an essential read for pastors, theologians, seminary students, as well as lay leaders who are concerned about the future of world missions and home missions alike. Indeed, it is a book for all of us who feel as though we are captives in Babylon. Jenkin's book makes me think that a post captivity is on its way. But our future hope is coming in ways we could have never imagined. And isn't that just like the Kingdom of God? Isn't that just like Jesus? |
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 "Paradigm-altering but tedious" | 2009-01-05 |
| - Reviewed By rsf_3 |
| In The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity, Philip Jenkins paints a picture of the future of Christianity in colors unfamiliar to typical American thinking. He clearly delineates the characteristics of the rapidly growing Christian churches outside Western Europe and the United States: conservative and charismatic. He illustrates the potential conflicts between Christianity and other major religions such as Islam or Hinduism. And he speculates about what the effects will be on established churches of having a Christian majority outside the West. The information he presents is fascinating and paradigm-altering. His writing is clear and his organization straight-forward. Nevertheless, I found the book to be tedious. The writing is dry and seemingly designed only for the utilitarian purpose of conveying information, far removed from any literary pleasure. But the information contained in this book is critical for formation of an accurate picture of the past, present, and future of global Christianity. On those grounds I recommend it to anyone interested in the growth of the Christian church, although I wouldn't recommend it for reading enjoyment. |
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| "Magisterial Book" | 2008-07-06 |
| - Reviewed By bkt9m |
Whether you like his thesis or no, Philip Jenkins as accurately depicted the future of a truly global Christendom, one that is anchored in, and in some respects orchestrated by, citizens of the Global South.
The recent GAFCON conference represents something far more significant than the largely ignorant major media suggest. Among Colonialist-dominated Anglicans, the conference serves as the first major step toward asserting their natural role as Communion leaders. The process of liberation comes as no great surprise to those familiar with Jenkins' monograph.
While forthcoming books may improve upon this one, The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity remains a magisterial work, one that should occupy a prominent place in the library of every serious scholar of Christian history. |
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 "dangerous and useful at one and the same time" | 2008-06-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A34HZATTNM541W |
| This text was one of my texts at Seminary (I'm studying to be a pastor) and I was at first in love with this book. It is a scathing indictment of the Western (especially United States-ian) Church. It is an encouragement to see how the Christian faith is not politically bound to a nation-state, but rather much more universal in its applicability. In that sense this book in invaluable. However, the dangerous part of the book comes in the very definition that Jenkins uses for Christianity. What he defines as "Christianity" is not Christianity at all, but rather a philosophy which incorporates some Christian values. In an era in which Universalism is rampant, this definition is dangerous to the orthodox Christian faith. Be that as it may, it is a useful book if thought about critically. |
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