World Christianity

World ChristianityWorld Christianity

The Christian RevolutionThe Christian Revolution

References References -- AuthorsAuthors

!! Philip JenkinsPhilip Jenkins. A native of England. . A native of England. Distinguished Professor of History and Distinguished Professor of History and Religious Studies at Penn State UniversityReligious Studies at Penn State University

!! LaminLamin SannehSanneh.. A native of Gambia. D. Willis A native of Gambia. D. Willis James Professor of Missions and World James Professor of Missions and World Christianity and Professor of History at Yale Christianity and Professor of History at Yale Divinity SchoolDivinity School

CDCD--R discR disc!! This PowerPoint presentationThis PowerPoint presentation

!! PowerPoint native formatPowerPoint native format!! Adobe Acrobat PDF fileAdobe Acrobat PDF file

!! Three other PowerPoint presentations focusing Three other PowerPoint presentations focusing on the History of World Christianityon the History of World Christianity

!! Acrobat PDF files of articles by Dr. Jenkins in Acrobat PDF files of articles by Dr. Jenkins in the Atlantic Monthly summarizing points in the Atlantic Monthly summarizing points in his bookhis book

!! MP3 audio file of interview with Dr. Jenkins MP3 audio file of interview with Dr. Jenkins on public radio Jan. 2003on public radio Jan. 2003

All too often, statements about what All too often, statements about what �modern Christians accept� or what �modern Christians accept� or what �Catholics today believe� refer only to what �Catholics today believe� refer only to what that everthat ever--shrinking remnant of Western shrinking remnant of Western Christians and Catholics believe. Such Christians and Catholics believe. Such assertions are outrageous today, and as time assertions are outrageous today, and as time goes by they will become ever further goes by they will become ever further removed from realityremoved from reality

-- Jenkins, p. 3Jenkins, p. 3

The era of Western Christianity has The era of Western Christianity has passed within our lifetimes, and the day passed within our lifetimes, and the day of Southern Christianity is dawning. of Southern Christianity is dawning. The fact of change itself is undeniable; The fact of change itself is undeniable; it has happened, and will continue to it has happened, and will continue to happen.happen.

-- Philip Jenkins, p. 3.Philip Jenkins, p. 3.

Number of Christians in the Number of Christians in the WorldWorld

2

2.63

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

billi

ons

2000 2025 2050

Number of Christians by RegionNumber of Christians by Region2000 versus 20252000 versus 2025

225

313

360

480

560

310

460

633

640

555

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

North America

Asia

Africa

Latin America

Europe

millions

20252000

From: Jenkins, p. 2-3

Percentage of Christians by Percentage of Christians by RegionRegion

20002000

19%

25%

16%

12%

28%

AfricaLatin AmericaAsiaNorth AmericaEurope


Percentage of Christians by Percentage of Christians by RegionRegion

20252025

24%

25%18%

12%

21%

AfricaLatin AmericaAsiaNorth AmericaEurope


Strength Christian Strength Christian Denominations 2000Denominations 2000

26

79

215

342

386

1057

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200

Marginal Christians

Anglicans

Orthodox

Protestants

Independents

Roman Catholics

millions

From: Jenkins, Table 4.1, p. 61

Number of Catholics by RegionNumber of Catholics by Region2000 versus 20252000 versus 2025

461

286

120

110

71

8

606

276

228

160

81

11

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700

Latin America

Europe

Africa

Asia

North America

Oceania

millions

20252000

Source: Table 9.1, in Jenkins, The Next Christendom. The Rise of Global Christianity, p. 195

Percentage of Catholics by Percentage of Catholics by RegionRegion

20002000


11%

44%

10%

7%

27%

1%

AfricaLatin AmericaAsiaNorth AmericaEuropeOceania


2025202517%

44%

12%

6%

20%1%



Percentage of ChristiansPercentage of Christians20502050

!! By 2050, only about oneBy 2050, only about one--fifth of Christians fifth of Christians will be nonwill be non--Hispanic whitesHispanic whites

!! �Soon, the phrase �a White Christian� may �Soon, the phrase �a White Christian� may sound like a curious oxymoron, as mildly sound like a curious oxymoron, as mildly surprising as �a Swedish Buddhist��surprising as �a Swedish Buddhist��(Jenkins)(Jenkins)

Decline of Christianity in EuropeDecline of Christianity in Europe

!! The Church of England claims 25 million The Church of England claims 25 million membersmembers!! Less than 1.2 million (5%) of them attend servicesLess than 1.2 million (5%) of them attend services

!! 5% of the French go to church regularly5% of the French go to church regularly!! 15% of Italians go to church regularly15% of Italians go to church regularly

Decline of Christianity in EuropeDecline of Christianity in Europe�About the decline, the statistics are �About the decline, the statistics are unequivocal. But beneath and beyond that unequivocal. But beneath and beyond that has been a strategic retreat into isolation has been a strategic retreat into isolation where the spirit seems to be wilting. It has where the spirit seems to be wilting. It has taken the form of a mood swing in which taken the form of a mood swing in which people have been preoccupied with taking people have been preoccupied with taking stock, with the setting sun and lengthening stock, with the setting sun and lengthening shadows, with memorial armbands, with shadows, with memorial armbands, with shades of gray, with requiem. As Sir Edward shades of gray, with requiem. As Sir Edward Grey declared, brooding over the dark clouds Grey declared, brooding over the dark clouds of his time, the lamps have gone out all over of his time, the lamps have gone out all over Europe.Europe. The religious imagination seems The religious imagination seems

Decline of Christianity in EuropeDecline of Christianity in Europeto have been hit with a bout of melancholy as to have been hit with a bout of melancholy as it labors with strains of �Abide with me, fast it labors with strains of �Abide with me, fast falls the eventide� and �The Day Thou falls the eventide� and �The Day Thou gavestgavest, , Lord, is ended, / The darkness falls at Thy Lord, is ended, / The darkness falls at Thy behest.� It�s the solemn vespers without the behest.� It�s the solemn vespers without the Gloria, and is a far cry from the confident, Gloria, and is a far cry from the confident, robust tones of �Onward, Christian robust tones of �Onward, Christian Soldiers,� �The Son of God goes forth to Soldiers,� �The Son of God goes forth to war,� or �Stand up, stand up for Jesus!�. . . war,� or �Stand up, stand up for Jesus!�. . . Maybe too much history is a bad thing�Maybe too much history is a bad thing�

-- LaminLamin SannehSanneh, p. 30 , p. 30

Growth of Christianity in AfricaGrowth of Christianity in Africa

8.760

360

633

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

1900 1925 1950 1975 2000 2025

Year

mill

ions

Data from: Sanneh, p. 14 and Jenkins, p. 3


!! Percent of Total Population who are Percent of Total Population who are Christians:Christians:!! 1900:1900: 10% of population10% of population!! 1965:1965: 25% of population 25% of population !! 2003:2003: 47% of population47% of population


!! 1960�s:1960�s: Christians began to outnumber Christians began to outnumber MuslimsMuslims

!! 19851985, there were 16,500 new Christians a day, , there were 16,500 new Christians a day, an annual rate of over 6 millionan annual rate of over 6 million!! In the same period in Europe and North America: In the same period in Europe and North America:

4,300 people were leaving the church each day4,300 people were leaving the church each day!! 2001:2001: there were 23,000 new Christians a day, there were 23,000 new Christians a day,

an annual rate of 8.4 million, of which 1.5 an annual rate of 8.4 million, of which 1.5 million are new convertsmillion are new converts

Growth of Christianity in AfricaGrowth of Christianity in AfricaChristianity in Africa After the Colonial PeriodChristianity in Africa After the Colonial Period

�� just as Europe�s northern tribes turned to �� just as Europe�s northern tribes turned to the church after the decay of the Roman the church after the decay of the Roman Empire, so Africans are embracing Empire, so Africans are embracing Christianity in the face of the massive Christianity in the face of the massive political, social and economic chaos.�political, social and economic chaos.�

-- Kenneth WoodwardKenneth Woodward


�Africa has become, or is becoming, a �Africa has become, or is becoming, a Christian continent in cultural as well Christian continent in cultural as well as numerical terms, while on the same as numerical terms, while on the same scale the West has become, or is scale the West has become, or is rapidly becoming, a postrapidly becoming, a post--Christian Christian society.�society.�

-- SannehSanneh, p. 36, p. 36


�Black Africa today is totally �Black Africa today is totally inconceivable apart from the presence inconceivable apart from the presence of Christianity�of Christianity�

-- Adrian Hastings, historianAdrian Hastings, historian

The Renewal of a nonThe Renewal of a non--Western ReligionWestern Religion

As Christianity moves South, we are As Christianity moves South, we are witnessing according to Ghanaian scholar witnessing according to Ghanaian scholar KwameKwame BediakoBediako, the , the �renewal of a non�renewal of a non--Western religion�Western religion�

The Myth of Christianity as a The Myth of Christianity as a �Western� Religion�Western� Religion

!! Popular Imagination and Media: Christianity is Popular Imagination and Media: Christianity is a Western phenomenon:a Western phenomenon:!! Adopted by the Roman EmpireAdopted by the Roman Empire!! Grew within a European heartlandGrew within a European heartland!! Exported on an unwilling world beginning in the Exported on an unwilling world beginning in the

colonial period as a thin veneer to cover European colonial period as a thin veneer to cover European ambitions for empireambitions for empire


!! Christianity began in the Near EastChristianity began in the Near East!! For its first thousand years, it was stronger in For its first thousand years, it was stronger in

Asia and North Africa than in EuropeAsia and North Africa than in Europe!! During its first centuries, its heartland was During its first centuries, its heartland was

Syria, Egypt, and MesopotamiaSyria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia


!! Only one of the five ancient Patriarchates of Only one of the five ancient Patriarchates of the Church was in the Westthe Church was in the West!! ConstantinopleConstantinople!! AntiochAntioch!! JerusalemJerusalem!! AlexandriaAlexandria!! RomeRome

Map courtesy of the Friesian School, �Rome and Romania, 27 BC � 1453 BC� at www.friesian.com/romania.htm


!! Christian missionaries fanned out from its Christian missionaries fanned out from its Near East heart into all the known continents: Near East heart into all the known continents: Europe, Africa, and Asia Europe, Africa, and Asia

Spread of ChristianitySpread of ChristianityFirst Five CenturiesFirst Five Centuries

Distribution of Christians in Distribution of Christians in Ancient and Medieval TimesAncient and Medieval Times

01020304050607080

500 700 900 1100 1300 1500

Year

mill

ions Africa

AsiaEurope/Russia

From Jenkins, Table 2.1, page 24Data from World Christian Encyclopedia

Mongol Invasion

Islamic Conquests

Reasons for the Reasons for the Growth of Christianity Growth of Christianity

in the Global Southin the Global South

Reasons for the Growth of Reasons for the Growth of ChristianityChristianity

!! 1. High general population growth in the 1. High general population growth in the Global SouthGlobal South

!! 2. The continuing high rate of conversions to 2. The continuing high rate of conversions to ChristianityChristianity


!! 1. High general population growth in the 1. High general population growth in the Global SouthGlobal South

!! 2. The continuing high rate of conversions to 2. The continuing high rate of conversions to ChristianityChristianity

Population GrowthPopulation Growth

!! 1950�s1950�s:: only only fourfour countries had populations countries had populations greater than 100 million:greater than 100 million:!! United States, Soviet Union, China, IndiaUnited States, Soviet Union, China, India

!! 2000:2000: eighteight countries have populations greater countries have populations greater than 100 millionthan 100 million

!! 2050:2050: seventeenseventeen countries are projected to countries are projected to have populations greater than 100 millionhave populations greater than 100 million

Population GrowthPopulation Growth

!! Most of the population growth is occurring in Most of the population growth is occurring in the Africa, South America, and Asiathe Africa, South America, and Asia

!! Population of many European countries is Population of many European countries is declining because of low birth ratesdeclining because of low birth rates

Ten Most Populous Countries in Ten Most Populous Countries in the World, 2050the World, 2050

0200400600800

10001200140016001800

1975 2000 2025 2050

year

mill

ions

IndiaChinaUnited StatesIndonesiaNigeriaPakistanBrazilBangladeshEthiopiaDem. R Congo


Most Populous Countries of the Most Populous Countries of the World, 2050 World, 2050 (#3 through #10)(#3 through #10)

050

100150200250300350400450

1975 2000 2025 2050

year

mill

ions

United StatesIndonesiaNigeriaPakistanBrazilBangladeshEthiopiaDem. R Congo


Most Populous Countries of the Most Populous Countries of the World, 2050 World, 2050 (#11 through #20)(#11 through #20)

020406080

100120140160180

1975 2000 2025 2050

year

mill

ions

PhilippinesMexicoVietnamRussiaEgyptJapanIranSaudi ArabiaTanzaniaTurkey


25 Most Populous Countries in the 25 Most Populous Countries in the World, 2050World, 2050

16201471

404338

304268

206205

188182

154153

1191181131011009184878484807170

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

IndiaChina

United StatesIndonesia

NigeriaPakistan

BrazilBangladesh

EthiopiaDR Congo

PhilippinesMexico

VietnamRussiaEgyptJapan

IranSaudi Arabia

TanzaniaTurkeySudan

UgandaGermany

YemenThailand

millions


Ten Largest Christian Ten Largest Christian Communities, 2025 and 2050Communities, 2025 and 2050

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

2000 2025 2050

year

mill

ions

United StatesBrazilMexicoPhilippinesNigeriaZaire/D. R. CongoEthiopiaRussiaChinaGermany


Ten Largest Christian Ten Largest Christian Communities, 2050Communities, 2050

330195

145145

123121

7980

6057

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

United StatesBrazil

MexicoPhilippines

NigeriaZaire/D. R. Congo

EthiopiaRussiaChina

Germany

millions


Largest Urban Populations, 2015Largest Urban Populations, 2015

18.81919.4

20.620.821.2

23.424.4

27.428.7

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Mexico CityDhaka, Bangladesh

Beijing, ChinaKarachi, PakistanSao Paulo, Brazil

Jakarta, IndonesiaShanghai, China

Lagos, NigeriaBombay/Mumbai, India

Tokyo, Japan

millions


#1. Tokyo, Japan, 28.7 million#1. Tokyo, Japan, 28.7 million

#2. Bombay / Mumbai, India, 27.4 million#2. Bombay / Mumbai, India, 27.4 million

#3 Lagos, Nigeria, 24.4 million#3 Lagos, Nigeria, 24.4 million

#4. Shanghai, China, 23.4 million#4. Shanghai, China, 23.4 million

#5. Jakarta, Indonesia, 21.2 million#5. Jakarta, Indonesia, 21.2 million

#6. Sao Paulo, Brazil, 20.8 million#6. Sao Paulo, Brazil, 20.8 million

#7. Karachi, Pakistan, 20.6 million#7. Karachi, Pakistan, 20.6 million

#8.#8. Beijing,Beijing, China, China, 19.419.4 millionmillion

#9. Dhaka, Bangladesh, 19.0 million#9. Dhaka, Bangladesh, 19.0 million

#10. Mexico, Mexico, 18.8 million#10. Mexico, Mexico, 18.8 million

Urban Centers of ChristianityUrban Centers of Christianity

�the centers of the church�s �the centers of the church�s universality [are] no longer in Geneva, universality [are] no longer in Geneva, Rome, Athens, Paris, London, New Rome, Athens, Paris, London, New York, but Kinshasa (Democratic York, but Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Buenos Aires Republic of the Congo), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and (Argentina), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and Manila (Philippines)Manila (Philippines)

-- John John MbitiMbiti, Christianity in Africa, p. 154, Christianity in Africa, p. 154

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the CongoKinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Buenos Aires, ArgentinaBuenos Aires, Argentina

Addis Ababa, EthiopiaAddis Ababa, Ethiopia

Manila, PhilippinesManila, Philippines


!! High general population growth in the Global High general population growth in the Global SouthSouth

!! The continuing high rate of conversions to The continuing high rate of conversions to ChristianityChristianity


!! High general population growth in the Global High general population growth in the Global SouthSouth

!! The continuing high rate of conversions to The continuing high rate of conversions to ChristianityChristianity


!! The success of missionary efforts cannot be explained The success of missionary efforts cannot be explained as mere kowtowing to civil authoritiesas mere kowtowing to civil authorities

!! �from the earliest days of the missionary �from the earliest days of the missionary enterprise, indigenous peoples found enterprise, indigenous peoples found aspects of Christianity exciting, even aspects of Christianity exciting, even intoxicating��intoxicating�� (Jenkins)(Jenkins)

!! �the new convert did not keep the discovery �the new convert did not keep the discovery for individual consumption but took the for individual consumption but took the message to others ��message to others �� ((SundklerSundkler & Steed)& Steed)


�We can suggest all sorts of reasons why �We can suggest all sorts of reasons why Africans and Asians adopted Christianity, Africans and Asians adopted Christianity, whether political, social, or cultural; but one whether political, social, or cultural; but one allall--tootoo--obvious explanation is that obvious explanation is that individuals came to believe the message individuals came to believe the message offered, and found this the best means of offered, and found this the best means of explaining the world around them.�explaining the world around them.�

-- Jenkins, p. 44Jenkins, p. 44


�Africans embraced Christianity because it �Africans embraced Christianity because it resonated so well with the values of the old resonated so well with the values of the old religions. . . People sensed in their hearts religions. . . People sensed in their hearts that Jesus did not mock their respect for the that Jesus did not mock their respect for the sacred or their clamor for an invincible sacred or their clamor for an invincible Savior, so they beat their sacred drums for Savior, so they beat their sacred drums for him until the stars skipped and danced in the him until the stars skipped and danced in the skies. After that dance the stars weren�t little skies. After that dance the stars weren�t little anymore. Christianity helped Africans to anymore. Christianity helped Africans to become renewed Africans, not remade become renewed Africans, not remade Europeans.�Europeans.�

-- SannehSanneh, p. 43, p. 43


�It was not the mad logic of the Trinity that �It was not the mad logic of the Trinity that captivated him. He did not understand it. It captivated him. He did not understand it. It was the poetry of the new religion, was the poetry of the new religion, something felt in the marrow� He felt relief something felt in the marrow� He felt relief within as the hymn poured into his parched within as the hymn poured into his parched soul. The words of the hymn were like drops soul. The words of the hymn were like drops of frozen rain melting on the dry palate of the of frozen rain melting on the dry palate of the panting earth.�panting earth.�

-- novelist novelist ChinuaChinua AchebeAchebe (describing the impact of a sermon (describing the impact of a sermon on a young Igbo man)on a young Igbo man)

Significance of World Significance of World Christianity for the Christianity for the

WestWest

Significance of the Growth of Significance of the Growth of World Christianity for the WestWorld Christianity for the West

!! 1. New ways of thinking about God, of 1. New ways of thinking about God, of worshiping Godworshiping God

!! 2. Potential for Renewal of Western 2. Potential for Renewal of Western ChristianityChristianity

!! 3. Conflict with Western Liberal Thought3. Conflict with Western Liberal Thought!! 4. Conflict with Islam4. Conflict with Islam






New Ways of Thinking About GodNew Ways of Thinking About God

!! Taking in of the gospel message by a new Taking in of the gospel message by a new culture may bring new insights, new ways of culture may bring new insights, new ways of thinking about Godthinking about God!! Just as new insights to the gospel grew from the Just as new insights to the gospel grew from the

taking in of the gospel by the Greek and Roman taking in of the gospel by the Greek and Roman culture of New Testament timesculture of New Testament times

!! The West can find a gospel embraced by a society The West can find a gospel embraced by a society not shaped by the Enlightenmentnot shaped by the Enlightenment

��African Creed� of the African Creed� of the MaasaiMaasai

!! Life is a journey of faith in a God who created Life is a journey of faith in a God who created the world and us out of lovethe world and us out of love

!! They once knew this High God in darkness, They once knew this High God in darkness, but now know this God in the lightbut now know this God in the light

!! Jesus was: �a man in the flesh, a Jew by tribe, Jesus was: �a man in the flesh, a Jew by tribe, born poor in a little village, who left his home born poor in a little village, who left his home and was always on safari doing good, curing and was always on safari doing good, curing people by the power of God.� until,people by the power of God.� until,

��African Creed� of the African Creed� of the MaasaiMaasai

!! He was rejected by his people, tortured, and He was rejected by his people, tortured, and nailed, hands and feet, to a cross, and died.nailed, hands and feet, to a cross, and died.

!! �He lay buried in the grave, but the hyenas did �He lay buried in the grave, but the hyenas did not touch him, and on the third day he rose not touch him, and on the third day he rose from the grave.�from the grave.�

!! �We are waiting for Him. He is alive. He lives. �We are waiting for Him. He is alive. He lives. This we believe, Amen.�This we believe, Amen.�

Catholic Eucharistic Prayer Catholic Eucharistic Prayer (Africa Rite)(Africa Rite)

O Father, Great Ancestor, we lack adequate O Father, Great Ancestor, we lack adequate words to thank you�words to thank you�

O Great Ancestor, who lives on the brilliant O Great Ancestor, who lives on the brilliant mountain�mountain�

Our Father, father of our ancestors, we are Our Father, father of our ancestors, we are gathered to praise you and to thank you with gathered to praise you and to thank you with our sacrificeour sacrifice

Confession of Faith of the Confession of Faith of the Pygmies of the CongoPygmies of the Congo

In the beginning was God,In the beginning was God,Today is God,Today is God,Tomorrow will be God.Tomorrow will be God.Who can make an image of God?Who can make an image of God?He has no body.He has no body.He is a word that comes out of your mouth.He is a word that comes out of your mouth.That word! It is no more,That word! It is no more,It is past, and still it lives!It is past, and still it lives!So is God.So is God.






Renewal of Western ChristianityRenewal of Western Christianity

�Be nice to whites, they need you to �Be nice to whites, they need you to rediscover their humanity�rediscover their humanity�

-- Archbishop Desmond TutuArchbishop Desmond Tutu



!! OneOne--sixth of priests in American Catholic sixth of priests in American Catholic Church come from other countries, often from Church come from other countries, often from the Global Souththe Global South

!! There are currently 1500 missionaries in There are currently 1500 missionaries in Britain from fifty nations, many expressing Britain from fifty nations, many expressing �disbelief at the spiritual desert they encounter �disbelief at the spiritual desert they encounter in this �green and pagan land.��in this �green and pagan land.��



�It was so depressing when I first arrived to �It was so depressing when I first arrived to find churches empty, and being sold, when find churches empty, and being sold, when in Uganda there is not enough room in our in Uganda there is not enough room in our churches for the people. There is a great churches for the people. There is a great need for revival in Britain need for revival in Britain �� it has become so it has become so secular and people so inward looking and secular and people so inward looking and individualistic. The country needs individualistic. The country needs reconverting.�reconverting.�

-- Stephen Stephen TirwomweTirwomwe, Ugandan missionary in the , Ugandan missionary in the rustbelt of Northern Englandrustbelt of Northern England





Significance of the Growth of Significance of the Growth of World Christianity for the WestWorld Christianity for the WestConflict with Western Liberal ThoughtConflict with Western Liberal Thought

!! Christianity in the Global South tends to be Christianity in the Global South tends to be very conservative and orthodoxvery conservative and orthodox

Significance of the Growth of Significance of the Growth of World Christianity for the WestWorld Christianity for the WestConflict with Western Liberal ThoughtConflict with Western Liberal Thought�The most successful Southern Churches �The most successful Southern Churches preach a deep personal faith, communal preach a deep personal faith, communal orthodoxy, mysticism, and orthodoxy, mysticism, and puritanismpuritanism, all , all founded on obedience to spiritual authority. . founded on obedience to spiritual authority. . . Whereas Americans imagine a Church freed . Whereas Americans imagine a Church freed from hierarchy, superstition, and dogma, from hierarchy, superstition, and dogma, Southerners look back to one filled with Southerners look back to one filled with spiritual power and able to exorcise the spiritual power and able to exorcise the demonic forces that cause sickness and demonic forces that cause sickness and poverty.�poverty.� (Jenkins)(Jenkins)


!! American Catholics who think the only barrier American Catholics who think the only barrier to a more progressive church (married priests, to a more progressive church (married priests, women priests, acceptance of birth control and women priests, acceptance of birth control and abortion) is an outabortion) is an out--ofof--touch, stodgy, touch, stodgy, conservative pope and Vatican hierarchy, are conservative pope and Vatican hierarchy, are engaging in a typically Western, very engaging in a typically Western, very parochial conceit.parochial conceit.


20002000


11%

44%

10%

7%

27%

1%



2025202517%

44%

12%

6%

20%1%




!! At the 1998 At the 1998 LambethLambeth ConferenceConference, Liberal , Liberal Anglicans from Western Churches found themselves Anglicans from Western Churches found themselves consistently outvoted by Anglicans from the larger, consistently outvoted by Anglicans from the larger, more conservative Churches of Global South.more conservative Churches of Global South.

!! The more liberal Episcopal Church USA was free to The more liberal Episcopal Church USA was free to defy the nonbinding decrees of the defy the nonbinding decrees of the LambethLambethConferenceConference, and consecrated the openly gay Bishop , and consecrated the openly gay Bishop Gene Robinson on Nov. 2, 2003 in New Hampshire.Gene Robinson on Nov. 2, 2003 in New Hampshire.

�We, Primates of the Global South, greet you �We, Primates of the Global South, greet you in the name of our Triune God, Father, Son in the name of our Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The actions of the Episcopal and Holy Spirit. The actions of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America Church of the United States of America (ECUSA) in the election, confirmation, and (ECUSA) in the election, confirmation, and consecration of Canon Gene Robinson have consecration of Canon Gene Robinson have created a situation of grave concern for the created a situation of grave concern for the entire Anglican Communion and beyond. . . entire Anglican Communion and beyond. . . By their actions, ECUSA has separated itself By their actions, ECUSA has separated itself from the remainder of the Anglican from the remainder of the Anglican Communion and the wider Christian family.�Communion and the wider Christian family.�-- Statement of the Anglican Primates of Nigeria, West Indies, SouStatement of the Anglican Primates of Nigeria, West Indies, Southern thern Cone, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, Central Africa, SouCone, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Congo, Tanzania, Central Africa, South th India, Pakistan, South East Asia, Philippines, February 9, 2004India, Pakistan, South East Asia, Philippines, February 9, 2004






Conflict with IslamConflict with Islam!! Both Christianity and Islam are strongly missionary religionsBoth Christianity and Islam are strongly missionary religions!! Both are growing in the Global South where populations are Both are growing in the Global South where populations are

rapidly expandingrapidly expanding!! A resurgent Muslim �fundamentalism� favors establishment of A resurgent Muslim �fundamentalism� favors establishment of

religious states and religious states and shariasharia law in Muslim majority areaslaw in Muslim majority areas!! Christian evangelism prohibitedChristian evangelism prohibited!! Islam a �oneIslam a �one--way� door; apostasy punishable by deathway� door; apostasy punishable by death

!! Some writers have suggested a new age of Christian Some writers have suggested a new age of Christian �crusades� from the Christian Global South may compete with �crusades� from the Christian Global South may compete with Muslim Muslim jihadsjihads and plunge the world into chronic conflictand plunge the world into chronic conflict

Distribution of MuslimsDistribution of Muslims

Source: CIA

Distribution Distribution of Muslimsof Muslims

Most Populous Countries in the World, Most Populous Countries in the World, 20502050

16201471

119101

70268

2059187100

71338

11384

404206

153118

182154

8480

304188

84

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800

IndiaChina

VietnamJapan

ThailandPakistan

BangladeshSaudi Arabia

TurkeyIran

YemenIndonesia

EgyptSudan

United StatesBrazil

MexicoRussia

DR CongoPhilippines

UgandaGermany

NigeriaEthiopia

Tanzania

millions

Overwhelmingly MuslimOverwhelmingly Muslim

Mainly Muslim; Mainly Muslim; signifsignif. Christian Minorities. Christian Minorities

Overwhelmingly ChristianOverwhelmingly Christian

Mainly Christian; Mainly Christian; signifsignif. Muslim Minorities. Muslim Minorities

Christian and Muslim, neither with majorityChristian and Muslim, neither with majority

Source: Jenkins, Table 8.1, p. 167, and Table 5.1, page 84


Conflict with IslamConflict with Islam

!! The concentration of oil wealth in Muslim The concentration of oil wealth in Muslim majority countries may bode ill for Christianity majority countries may bode ill for Christianity in the Global Southin the Global South

!! Western nations will likely deplete their own Western nations will likely deplete their own oil reserves in the next 50 years, and hence oil reserves in the next 50 years, and hence may find it in their economic interests to side may find it in their economic interests to side with Muslim countrieswith Muslim countries

�As the media have striven in recent years to �As the media have striven in recent years to present Islam in a more sympathetic light, present Islam in a more sympathetic light, they have tended to suggest that Islam, not they have tended to suggest that Islam, not Christianity, is the rising faith of Africa and Christianity, is the rising faith of Africa and Asia, the authentic or default religion of the Asia, the authentic or default religion of the world�s huddled masses. But Christianity is world�s huddled masses. But Christianity is not only surviving in the global South, it is not only surviving in the global South, it is enjoying a radical revival, a return to enjoying a radical revival, a return to scriptural roots. We are living in scriptural roots. We are living in revolutionary times.�revolutionary times.�

-- Philip JenkinsPhilip Jenkins

The era of Western Christianity has The era of Western Christianity has passed within our lifetimes, and the day passed within our lifetimes, and the day of Southern Christianity is dawning. of Southern Christianity is dawning. The fact of change itself is undeniable; The fact of change itself is undeniable; it has happened, and will continue to it has happened, and will continue to happen.happen.

-- Philip Jenkins, p. 3.Philip Jenkins, p. 3.

ReferencesReferences

!! The Next Christendom. The Coming of The Next Christendom. The Coming of Global Christianity.Global Christianity. Philip Jenkins. Oxford Philip Jenkins. Oxford University Press, 2002. ISBN 0University Press, 2002. ISBN 0--1919--514616514616--66

!! Whose Religion is Christianity? The Gospel Whose Religion is Christianity? The Gospel Beyond the West.Beyond the West. LaminLamin SannehSanneh. . EerdmansEerdmansPublishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 2003. ISBN 0Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 2003. ISBN 0--80288028--21642164--22

Documents

World Christianity