The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity (Future of Christianity Trilogy) 3rd Edition, Kindle Edition

This book advances a fascinating thesis, that even whilst the Western world heads towards post-Christendom, Christianity is actually growing and expanding as a worldwide phenomenon. This next Christendom is moving southwards, flourishing in the non-Western regions of Latin America, Africa and Asia. It is also evolving into a different kind of Christendom, less culturally Eurocentric and more charismatic and evangelical. The book devotes much attention to these new and vibrant expressions of the faith, showing especially the steady process of indigenisation of faith practices once imported from the West. Consequently, Jenkins posits a growing divergence in the brand of Christianity practised in the West vs. the "majority world". Altogether, the book serves as a tremendous eye-opener on the trajectory of Christian growth in the coming decades and raises uncomfortable questions over the future of Western Christianity.

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.

This book describes well the phenomenon of RAPID CHURCH GROWTH I observed during 15 years as a Lutheran missionary in Liberia, 10 years as a missionary in Peru and visits and stays in: Nigeria, Kenya, Hong Kong, Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, and Japan. Dr. Jenkins has documented important trends for Christendom all over the world. We pray that Christians everywhere will learn to love each other, and allow people in every situation to grow into the fullness of Christ at their own pace by the leading of the Holy Spirit. J. Wold

Having read a very interesting book by the author on the power and decline of Middle Eastern/Asian Christianity in the Middle Ages, I looked forward to this older work concerning the growth of global Christianity in the 21st century. I must give Dr. Jenkins credit for a particularlly well researched and generally very readable work. The author put effort into overviewing potential growth trends. However, some of the most interesting parts of the book dealt with the character of Christianity in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Needless to say it can very different from the Northern "mainline" scene and also shares some differences from more theologically conservative North American denominations. The possibilities of future theological shifts and rifts made for very interesting reading. The work's most disturbing chapter dealt with geopolitics and the potential for future religious conflict as Christian and Muslim nations (or regions within nations) in Africa or Asia experience dramatic population expansion. Jenkins provides readers with current examples of persecution and religious conflict. Even more chilling though is the thought that resources and ethnic situations could cause chain reaction conflicts (e.g. entangled alliances of WWI) drawing in major powers. Overall a fascinating book that is well worth a read.

A MUST READ for every evangelical Christian, especially Americans. American Christians really need to see and open minds to see what's going on in the Christian world outside of this country and culture.

Words cannot describe how much I appreciate Philip Jenkins for writing this book. He nailed the issue. I bought this book firstly in this English version, then later bought its Chinese version.