The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity [Paperback]

 

 

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"The Next Christendom" explores how the spread of Christianity finds new forms of expression around the globe. Jenkins' book provides an overview of the development of Christianity and the ways in which it has been adapted throughout the years, with a primary emphasis on current growth and interpretation of the faith in the Southern Hemisphere. Since predictions are made that one in five beleivers will be non-Latino and white by the year 2050, it behooves any person interested in Christianity and Religion to study the growing population of Southern Christians, and the impact their beliefs and praxis will have on the future shape Christianity may take as a result. Jenkins book provides a wealth of information and ideas towards this aim.

In "The Next Christendom" Jenkins examines previously held definitions of Christianity, most influenced by European and American perspectives, as assertions that will be challanged by the up and coming dominant cultures of the South and what has formerly been called the "Third World Churhes." After a methodical study of statistics, Jenkins reports the fastest population growth occuring in areas that are traditionally Islamic, Muslim, Indian, Asian and Latin American. Invariably the realities and ideology of these Southern cultures will have their impact on the world's religious strutures. Jenkins conclusion is that a Rise of A New Christianity is about to be birthed. This makes sense when American and European statistics reveal a decline in Christianity and population (although this may be a superficial way to measure actual dynamics of faith in these particular cultures.) In addition, the forces of immigration and the rising levels of poverty will usher in a very different message of Christian theology, shaped by the spirituality of suffering current in the consciousness of these People of God. Just how this difference in consciousness will assert itself is not clear, but specualtion is Jenkins' task -- a mission he defintely takes the leading edge in today.

Jenkins provides a speculative, but realistic glimpse into the flavor that will characterize the faith by the mid-twenty first century. Specifically,in his view, Christianity will be dominated by a concern with the immediate workings of the "supernatural," through such beliefs and practice as prophecy, vision, ecstatic utterances, and healing, since these are the practices of the indigenous culture that prevail in the areas of population and religious growth related to the Christian Movement. Christianity in the North will undergo "sweeping changes" that could make the faith alien to many with traditional Northern views. The controversial question raised is whether there exists a dangerous compromising of older religion through contextualization by the South, or if this is part of a broader divine plan to expand and deepen Christian tradition through the incorporation of ideas and praxis from various cultures? This leads to another question, that is, if Christianity is infinitely translatable and adaptable? In this sense Jenkins' seems to be asking if this new Christianity will remain Christian, or lose it's charachter if it takes on a "Southern cast." Jenkins appears to want to educate the modern West that Evangelical and Fundamentalist trends are on the rise, with Pentecostalism and independent churches of South America and Africa taking the lead. I do not think the questions and conerns Jenkins raises are to be taken as bigotry, but as a reflection of possible tension he considers having potential to develop into political and civil violence as certain nations and groups could resist efforts at harmonization. Jenkins devotes a significant portion of the book to theoretical predictions of where and why probable "battle fronts" may occur.

This book certainly has potential to elicit thoughtful dialog, but also ability to ignite reactionary feelings, especially as it may appear blatantly racist against Notherners and against those who proclaim a more third world kind of faith. Yet such a broad view of Christianity also plants hope that Christianity can survive such complexities. In the end the reader is raised to have more understanding for the spirituality that comes up from the South in attempts towards liberation from oppression and suffering. Perhaps, however, the real healing will come when efforts are stopped to sterotype and accuse any one group for the responsiblity of the perpetuation of this suffering, which sadly to say Jenkins' book seems to cast onto the shoulders of Western mind sets. Mission today and tomorrow certainly must be aimed at overcoming discrimination, but not by targeting only the naive and/or the successful, as so many who demonize the Northern mentality want to do. Jenkins book can be a useful tool if the world takes the right next step towards peace and reconciliation. Most of all Jenkins, intentionally or not, creates an awarenss of the deep need for compassion, education, reflection, tolerance and prayer: the essential ingredients of genuine faith and conversion. In this sense the book deserves to be considered authentic evangelism.

Review by Dr.Denise Durak

The main thesis that Philip Jenkins ably attempts to prove in his book, The Next Christendom, is that Christianity is shifting from a northern hemisphere-dominated religion to a southern-centered world religion. At the same time that the numerical force of Christianity has been essentially dying in Europe (and to a lesser extent the United States), "over the past century... the center of gravity in the Christian world has shifted inexorably southward, to Africa, Asia, and Latin America" (2). Also, while the church has become largely secularized in the north, the southern church is mainly conservative and traditional in its beliefs. Unfortunately, Jenkins takes a while to define his terms. He spends several pages explaining his understanding of the idea of Christendom very nearly like the medieval idea of "a true overarching unity and a focus of loyalty transcending mere kingdoms or empires" (10). But it is not until page 88 that he formulates a definition of a Christian as "someone who describes himself or herself as Christian, who believes that Jesus is not merely a prophet or an exalted moral teacher, but in some unique sense the Son of God, and the messiah" (88).

The early chapters are spent establishing his thesis through several lines of evidence. In chapter 2, Jenkins makes a broad historical survey of Christianity in order to demonstrate that it is not inherently Western. He shows that Christianity has been from the earliest of times a very strong force in both Africa and Asia. In addition, chapter 3 questions much of the missionary enterprise in its spreading of Christianity. Despite its faults, Jenkins concedes that the reason that cultures accepted the new faith was that they "found this the best means of explaining the world around them" (44). Finally, in chapter 4, in order to bolster his thesis Jenkins surveys the demographics of much of the world. He describes the dynamics of the interaction between the Pentecostal and Roman Catholic churches in Latin America. He also depicts the strength of the church in such countries as Mexico, Brazil, the Philippines, South Africa, China, and South Korea. Jenkins finally attempts to explain the cause of Christianity's current success as residing in its meeting social needs (75), its sense of community (76), and even its miracles (77).

In chapter 5, Jenkins shifts his focus from yesterday's and today's situation to the trends that are forming tomorrow's. He concedes the dangers of predicting what the world will look like in 50 years. However, no one can deny such trends as the decline of the populations of Europe and Japan (81-82) and the equally startling boom in the populations of the southern countries of Africa and Latin America (83-85). Population growth is relatively easy to observe, and assuming that the religious distribution remains roughly the same, Christianity will continue to grow in the coming years. "However, recent history suggests that [sub-Saharan] churches will expand by evangelization," making the Christian population grow at even a greater pace (90). The evidence Jenkins uses to support his claims comes not just from Africa but also from the Philippines, Europe and the United States.

Jenkins' most disappointing work is found in chapter 6. He attempts to combat what he calls the assumption "that what is traditionally done in Europe or North America is correct and authentic" (109). While this assumption is false if accepted blindly and wholesale, Jenkins' claim is that the European culture formed Christianity into what it is in the West. He seems to leave no place for Christianity actually forming a culture. Rather, he says, "Presumably if the course of Christian history had run differently, then other societies would have succeeded in spreading their distinctive cultural vision across the world" (110). Supposedly, practice determines beliefs, rather than vice versa (115). Jenkins does not seem to leave open the possibility of an objective, unchanging standard to which all cultures must conform. The shape of Christianity, purportedly, is relative to the culture in which it is found. On the other hand, chapter 7 explores how the beliefs of Christianity are being applied in today's world around the globe. Even here, however, he fails to recognize that the way a people lives or a government governs is an expression of what they believe. He makes no connection between the prosperity of the West with the fundamentally Christian principles upon which that prosperity is based.

Chapter 8 describes the current and coming interaction between Christianity and Islam. His prognosis includes violence between the religions. But "in the world as a whole, there is no question that the threat of intolerance and persecution chiefly comes from the Islamic side of the equation" (170). Battles will be fought in countries like Sudan (171), Egypt (172), Nigeria (173-75), Pakistan (175), and Indonesia (176). He also briefly mentions Christianity's future relations with Hinduism and Buddhism. The remainder of the book (chapters 9-10) is left to shorter statements about the future of Christianity. He discusses the Roman Catholic church and such conservative statements within that body as Dominus Jesus (197). He addresses issues of gender roles, the south's evangelization of the north, the Bible, and poverty. All in all, Jenkins demonstrates a greater ability in observing demographic trends than he does in making general assertions about the dynamics of Christianity. His general thesis is undeniable based on his evidence. However, he lacks an eschatological vision based on the teaching of the Bible to lend any real authority to his claims. Indeed, Christians may assert with confident assurance that Christianity will grow until it covers the earth (Isaiah 11:9), even as Christ now reigns on His throne until He puts all His enemies under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:5).

The following is an analytical book review of Philip Jenkins, The Next Christendom.

Philip Jenkins, the author of 24 books, and 120 book chapters and refereed articles, has been on the faculty of Pennsylvania State University since 1980, and in 2007, he was appointed as the Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of History and Religious Studies. He completed his undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral work all at the University of Cambridge, but it is not his work in global Christianity that got him on the faculty of Penn State. He began as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice in 1980. In fact, his early work consists of history, criminology, and pedophilia. It was not until his publication of The Next Christendom that his reputation as an expert on global Christianity came to the forefront. Since then, he has spoken widely around this topic of global Christianity ([...]).

The thesis of this book is that the center of Christianity has shifted southward to Africa, Asia, and Latin America (Location 36). As a result, in spite of the seeming decline of Christianity in the western world, Christianity is actually growing and flourishing in most areas around the world (Location 992).

The Next Christendom begins with an elaboration of the thesis by challenging the myth that Christianity is actually declining and disappearing in the world. It may seem like that in the western world, but soon enough, the center of Christianity is going to be Africa and Latin America (Location 170). After elaborating on that point, Jenkins begins to paint a picture of the history of Christianity and how it has expanded across the world. He makes a point to paint a picture of how Christianity was closely tied with the western imperial expansion. He then moves to explain how Christianity is flourishing in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, using many illustrations and case studies to prove his point. Throughout the book, Jenkins is subtly asking the reader to consider how this shift of Christianity should affect how one lives out one's faith. Since 'Christianity is flourishing wonderfully among the poor and persecuted, while it [is] atroph[ying] among the rich and secure' (Location 3012), what needs to change in the western world for Christianity to once again flourish here? Will the global north change at all? That is the question that begs to be asked.

Although the center of Christianity is shifting south, the center of Christian thought seems to be staying in the same location - the western world. Perhaps this is because that is where the money and the publishers are. In either case, if Christianity is flourishing and growing abundantly in the south, whereas it is stagnant and declining in the western world, then would it not make sense to learn from the south?

What would happen if the western world began learning from their theologians, pastors, and Christians? Perhaps following the footsteps of southern Christianity with a deeper and more personal faith, more emphasis on 'communal orthodoxy, mysticism, and puritanism, all focused on clear scriptural authority' would cause Christianity to shift and transform in the western world (Location 120)? If, as Philip Yancey states, 'God goes where he's wanted' (Location 215), then should the western world not learn from the contexts that God is clearly blessing and moving in? It is precisely because of this that I love being a part of the M.A. in Global Leadership. I do pray that I would never lose sight of the fact that God is not tied to one land or one people, but that he is a God of all peoples and transcends any location. As a result, I pray that I would never be so prideful to think that I can only learn from the celebrity pastors and theologians of North America, while ignoring the work that anonymous Christians are doing in some place I have never heard of. God, please protect my heart and keep me humble, with my eyes continually focused on you.

In the end, I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Universal Faith in the Global Village
I used this book as one of my primary sources for studying religions in the global village; it was tremendously useful and is a rather fascinating introduction to what is a far... Read more

Published on Feb 26 2004 by benjamin

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic book of extreme importance
Buy it. Read it. Believe it. Otherwise, just go back to sleep.

Published on Feb 17 2004 by John H. Jennings

4.0 out of 5 stars An important statement, though somewhat dry
Jenkins, a professor of history and religious studies at Penn State University, amasses an impressive set of statistics in support of his thesis that Christianity is growing... Read more

Published on Aug 25 2003 by M. A Michaud

5.0 out of 5 stars The Next Crusade
The title of this review comes from a chapter in Jenkins' book that outlines the global conflict between Christianity and Islam that is taking place and emerging in the Third... Read more

Published on May 30 2003 by Oswald Sobrino

5.0 out of 5 stars Prepares you for a new world
In this fascinating book, professor Philip Jenkins proclaims that there is coming, within this 21st century, a new Christendom. Read more

Published on May 29 2003 by Kurt A. Johnson

4.0 out of 5 stars Spengeler was right!
Jenkins' book projects a variant of the "population explosion" argument with a positive twist: Christians are the population that is exploding, all over the Third World. Read more

Published on Dec 18 2002 by Lloyd A. Conway

5.0 out of 5 stars Catholics and Pentecostals
Regarding the reviewer who claims Jenkins' book is about the growth of "primitive Christianity and Pentecostalism," readers should be aware that "The Next... Read more

Published on Dec 14 2002 by Rich Leonardi

2.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyment to horror
I was enjoying Jenkins book up until the part where he described the countries that were experiencing the most rapid growth of Christianity and Islam and I realized that these are... Read more

Published on Nov 13 2002 by Noel Collamer

4.0 out of 5 stars Hope for the Faith
In recent years, many have decried the decline of Christian religion. By this what they most often intended to communicate is that worship attendance and church membership rolls... Read more

Published on Oct 6 2002 by The Rev. Dr. Daniel J. G. G. Block

5.0 out of 5 stars The Threshold of a Global View of Christ
The author argues we stand at the threshold of historical point, one that is as important at the original Reformation. Read more

Published on Sep 5 2002 by Craig L. Howe

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