Josh Crain CH 748 Dr.

Cook January 22, 2007 The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity In his book, The Coming of Global Christianity, Philip Jenkins begins by asserting that religious trends are more important to human history and to predicting where human history is headed than most Westerners give it credit for. Jenkins states right from the start that the world as a whole is and will become increasingly more religious, with Christianity and Islam dominating the prevailing faiths. His thesis is that this religious fervor has already and will continue to see a shift to the southern hemisphere of the globe. The Christianity that takes root here will be more conservative, vibrant, and culturally transforming that the Christianity that has come to be commonplace in the United States. Jenkins begins tracing his argument out by giving a history of Christianity up until today. In the second chapter of his book he shows us the misconception and myth of Western Christianity. He shows the struggle that Eastern Christianity faced in the face of overpowering Islamic forces and governments. Despite impossible odds, Christianity managed to survive. Indeed, Jenkins argues that Christianity is not best understood as a Western religion at all, but should be viewed in light of the fact that it had African, Asian, and Middle Eastern success long before it was popularized and taken up in the Western hemisphere. Because of this, Jenkins refutes the notion that Western missionaries are forcing their Western religion on other parts of the world when they evangelize. Though the missionary must be careful not to bring his culture with him, his faith is not Western

by any stretch of the imagination. In the fifth chapter of Jenkins work, he produces some staggering speculations based on his extrapolation of demographic evidence that is available today. Europe and the United States are not reproducing at the high rate that many countries in the Southern Hemisphere are. Jenkins believes that with the high reproduction rate in African and South American countries (among others), we will see an enormous boom in the Christian population as Christians increasingly populate the planet with more Christians. The United States and Europe may even see a revitalization of Christianity due to the immigration of Southern Hemisphere Christians. In the chapter Coming to Terms, Jenkins explains that the Christianity of tomorrow will look different from the Christianity of today. As the Christian faith becomes mixed with the cultures of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, mysticism will play a larger role than it does today. Prophecy, healings, and visions will be centralized. Even the language (metaphors, etc.) that is currently used in African Bible translation and African prayers is quite different. This biblical language has purely African associations. Jenkins also warns that it is possible that the cultures from which some of this will spring may corrupt Christianity, making for a thinly disguised paganism. Jenkins further warns us of the effect this religious fervor could have on the world with regard to war. He fears that in regions where Christianity and Islam are both experiencing resurgence there may once again be physical battle. In a perfect world, Jenkins asserts, Muslims and Christians would fight over which faith could help the most people. In reality, the desire to win the conversion war has historically brought both sides to blows. Imagine the crusades and holy wars of the middle ages, but with nuclear

weapons and anthrax, Jenkins tells us. Though he admits this view may be overly pessimistic, Jenkins paints an eerie picture. In Jenkins final chapter he removes the guise of indifferent historical commentator and predictor, and shows us that he is a Christian who believes that much is at stake in what happens over the coming years. He continues to drive home the point that Christians in the Northern Hemisphere and in the Western tradition are incredibly myopic in their outlook and desperately need to realize that God is working diligently all over the world. In places that resemble the first century poverty and social conditions into which Christianity was born, the faith is seeing revitalization. Though many challenges lie ahead, Jenkins book is ultimately hopeful if not completely optimistic. I personally feel that Jenkins has done an incredible and thorough job of researching his subject and projecting his conclusions based upon all of that work. He takes the reader along and helps us to put global Christianity in perspective, despite the fact that I am a Western Christian who is guilty of the myopic vision that Jenkins is so critical of. His thesis was proven through statistics, projected historical analysis, and persuasive argumentation that was both logical and passionate in the end. Ultimately I am concerned by the many challenges that Jenkins spoke of that will be coming our way. Religious war is frightening, and certainly detrimental to the cause of Christ. Culture in places of the Southern Hemisphere runs the risk of merging pagan ideas with the Christian faith. And yet God is so clearly working in many places in the world, and my concerns are overcome by my faith in God to prevail over all the obstacles that I see as possible roadblocks.