World Christianity

Christianity is, and has always been, polycentric and multicultural and multiethnic.  But traditional Euro-American scholarship treated studies of Christianity and Christian histories as though Christianity were an ethnic faith belonging only to Euro-American traditions.  The (multidisciplinary) academic discipline of World Christianity aims to restore balance, studying Christianity across cultures, history, and geographies.  Here’s what’s in Joshua’s library.  If interested in learning about World Christianity, 

Read these first:

  1. Burrows, William R., Mark R. Gornik, and Janice A. McLean, eds. Understanding World Christianity: the Vision and Work of Andrew F. Walls.  Orbis Books, 2011.
  2. Walls, Andrew F.  Crossing Cultural Frontiers: Studies in the History of World Christianity. Ed. Mark R. Gornik.  Orbis Books, 2017.
  3. Norris, Frederick W. Christianity: A Short Global History. OneWorld Publications, 2002.
  4. Sanneh, Lamin. Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World Christianity. Oxford University Press, 2008.
  5. Walls, Andrew F.  The Cross-Cultural Process in Christian History: Studies in the Transmission and Appropriation of Faith.  Orbis Books, 2002.
  6. Walls, Andrew F.  The Missionary Movement in Christian History: Studies in the Transmission of Faith.  Orbis Books, 1996.
  7. Sanneh, Lamin and Michael J. McClymond, eds.  The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to World Christianity.  Wiley Blackwell Companions to Religion.  Wiley-Blackwell, 2016.
  8. Irvin, Dale T. and Scott W. Sunquist. History of the World History Movement. Vol. 1: Earliest Christianity to 1453. Orbis Books, 2010.
  9. Irvin, Dale T. and Scott W. Sunquist. History of the World History Movement. Vol. 2: Modern Christianity from 1453-1800. Orbis Books, 2017.


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Adogame, Afe, Janice McClean and Anderson Jeremiah, eds. Engaging the World: Communities in Contemporary Global Societies. Regnum Edinburgh Centenary Series 21. Regnum, 2014.

Akinade, Akintunde E., ed.  A New Day:  Essays on World Christianity in Honor of Lamin Sanneh.  Forward by Andrew F. Walls.  New York:  Peter Lang, 2010.

Alvarez, Miguel, ed. The Reshaping of Mission in Latin America. Regnum Edinburgh Centenary Series 30. Regnum, 2015.

Aritonang, Jan Sihar and Karel Steenbrink, eds. A History of Christianity in Indonesia. Studies in Christian Mission 35. Brill, 2008.

Arrington, Aminta. Songs of the Lisu Hills: Practicing Christianity in Southwest China.  Foreword by Brian Stanley. Penn State University Press, 2020.

Bantu, Vince L. A Multitude of All Peoples: Engaging Ancient Christianity’s Global Identity. Missiological Engagements. IVP Academic, 2020.

Bays, Daniel H., ed. Christianity in China: From the Eighteenth Century to the Present. Stanford University Press, 1996.

Boyd, Robin H. S. India and the Latin Captivity of the Church: The Cultural Context of the Gospel. Monograph Supplements to the Scottish Journal of Theology. Cambridge University Press, 1974.

Burrows, William R., Mark R. Gornik, and Janice A. McLean, eds. Understanding World Christianity: the Vision and Work of Andrew F. Walls. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2011.

Baker, Derek, ed.  Church, Society and Politics Studies in Church History 12.  Oxford:  Blackwell, 1975.

Bediako, Kwame. Christianity in Africa: The Renewal of Non-Western Religion. Studies in World Christianity. Orbis Books, 1995.

Bediako, Kwame. Theology & Identity:The impact of culture upon Christian thought in the second century and modern Africa. Regnum Books, 2002.

Bergmann, Sigurd and Mika Vähäkangas, eds.  Contextual Theology:  Skills and Practices of Living Faith.  Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies.  Routledge, 2020.

Bonk, Jonathan J. Missions and Money: Affluence as a Western Missionary Problem … Revisited. 2nd ed., revised and expanded. American Society of Missiology Series 15. Orbis Books, 2007.

Bosch, David J. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. American Society of Missiology Series 16. Orbis Books, 1991.

Carman, John B. and Chilkuri Vasantha Rao. Christians in South Indian Villages, 1959-2009: decline and revival in Telangana. Studies in the History of Christian Missions. Eerdmans, 2014.

Chow, Alexander and Emma Wild-Wood, eds.  Ecumenism and Independency in World Christianity:  Historical Studies in Honour of Brian Stanley.  Theology and Mission in World Christianity 15.  Leiden: Brill, 2020.

Corrie, John and Cathy Ross, eds. Mission in Context: Explorations Inspired by Andrew J. Kirk. Forward by Christopher J. H. Wright. Ashgate, 2012.

Cumming, G. J., ed.  The Mission of the Church and the Propagation of the Faith: Papers Read at the Seven Summer Meeting ad the Eighth Winter Meeting of the Ecclesiastical History Society.  Studies in Church History 6.  Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1970.

Engelsviken, Tormod, Erling Lundeby and Dagfinn Solheim, eds. The Church Going Glocal: Mission and Globalisation. Proceedings of the Fjellhaug Symposium 2010. Regnum Edinburgh 2010 Series. Regnum Books, 2011.

Essamuah, Casely B. and David K. Ngaruiya, eds.  Communities of Faith in Africa and the African Diaspora: In Honor of Dr. Tite Tiénou with Additional Essays on World Christianity.  Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick Publications, 2013.

Farhadian, Charles E., ed.  Christian Worship Worldwide:  Expanding Horizons, Deepening Practices.  Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Studies Series.  Edited bt John D. Witvliet.  Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 2007.

Frederiks, Martha and Dorottya Nagy, eds. Religion, Migration, and Identity: Methodological and Theological Explorations. Theology and Mission in World Christianity 2. Ed. Kim Kirsteen, Stephen B. Bevans, and Miikka Ruokanen. Brill, 2016.

Gallagher, Robert L. and Paul Hertig, eds.  Landmark Essays in Mission and World Christianity.  American Society of Missiology Series 43.  Maryknoll, New York:  Orbis Books, 2009.

Glasswell, Mark E. and Edward W. Fasholé-Luke, eds.  New Testament Christianity for Africa and the World: Essays in Honor of Harry Sawyerr, 141-146. Ed. . London: SPCK, 1974.

González, Justo L. and Ondina E. González. Christianity in Latin America: A History. Cambridge University Press, 2007.

Hanciles, Jehu J. Beyond Christendom: Globalization, African Migration, and the Transformation of the West. Orbis, 2008.

Hanciles, Jehu J.  Migration and the Making of Global Christianity.  Eerdmans, 2021.

Hastings, Adrian. A World History of Christianity. Eerdmans, 1999.

Hatch, Nathan O. The Democratization of American Christianity. Yale University Press, 1991.

Im, Chandler H. and Amos Yong, eds.  Global Diasporas and Mission.  Regnum Edinburgh Centenary Series 23.  Oxford:  Regnum, 2014.

Irvin, Dale T., ed. The Protestant Reformation and World Christianity: Global Perspectives. Reformation Resources, 1517-2017. Grand Rapids, Michigan:  Eerdmans, 2017.

Irvin, Dale T. and Scott W. Sunquist. History of the World History Movement. Vol. 1: Earliest Christianity to 1453. Maryknoll, New York:  Orbis Books, 2010.

Irvin, Dale T. and Scott W. Sunquist. History of the World History Movement. Vol. 2: Modern Christianity from 1453-1800. Maryknoll, New York:  Orbis Books, 2017.

Kalu, Ogbu U. and Alaine Low, eds. Interpreting Contemporary Christianity: Global Processes and Local Identities. Studies in the History of Christian Missions. Eerdmans, 2008.

Kerr, David and Kenneth Ross, eds.  Mission Then and Now.  Edinburgh Centenary Series 14.  Oxford:  Regnum Books, 2009.

Kling, David W. A History of Christian Conversion. Oxford University Press, 2020.

Koschorke, Klaus, ed.  Transkontinentale Beziehungen in der Geschichte des Aussereuropäischen Christentums / Transcontinental Links in the History of Non-Western Christianity.  Wiesbaden, Germany:  Harrassowitz Verlag, 2002.

Koschorke, Klaus and Adrian Hermann, eds. Polycentric Structures in the History of World Christianity / Polyzentrische Strukturen in der Geschichte des Weltchristentums. Studies in the History of Christianity in the Non-Western World 25. Harrassowitz Verlag, 2014.

Koschorke, Klaus, Frieder Ludwig, and Mariano Delgado, eds. A History of Christianity in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, 1450-1990: A Documentary Sourcebook. Eerdmans, 2007.

Koschorke, Klaus with Jens Holger Schjørring, eds. African Identities and World Christianity in the Twentieth Century: Proceedings of the Third International Munich-Freising Conference on the History of Christianity in the Non-Western World (September 15–17, 2004). Studies in the History of Christianity in the Non-Western World 10. Harrassowitz Verlag, 2005.

Kwiyani, Harvey. Multicultural Kingdom: Ethnic Diversity, Mission and the Church. SCM Press, 2020.

Lewis, Donald M., ed. Christianity Reborn: Evangelicalism’s Global Expansion in the Twentieth Century. Studies in the History of Christian Missions. Eerdmans, 2004.

Lindenfeld, David.  World Christianity and Indigenous Experience:  A Global History, 1500–2000.  Cambridge University Press, 2021.

Ludwig, Freider and Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, eds.  The African Christian Presence in the West:  New Immigrant Congregations and Transnational Networks in North America and Europe.  Trenton, New Jersey:  Africa Word Press, 2010.

Ma, Li and Jin Li.  Surviving the State, Remaking the Church:  A Sociological Portrait of Christians in Mainland China.  Studies in Chinese Christianity.  Pickwick Publications, 2017.

Ma, Wonsuk and Kyo Seong Ahn, eds. Korean Church, God’s Mission, Global Christianity. Regnum Edinburgh Centenary Series 26. Regnum, 2015.

Ma, Wonsuk, Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen and J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, eds. Pentecostal Mission and Global Christianity. Regnum Edinburgh Centenary Series 20. Regnum, 2014.

Maxwell, David with Ingrid Lawrie, eds.  Christianity and the African Imagination:  Essays in Honour of Adrian Hastings.  Leiden:  Brill, 2002.

Middleton, Darren J. N., ed. Mother Tongue Theologies: Poets, Novelists, Non-Western Christianity. Pickwick Publications, 2015.

Norris, Frederick W. Christianity: A Short Global History. London: OneWorld Publications, 2002.

Ott, Craig and Harold A. Netland, eds.  Globalizing Theology:  Belief and Practice in an Era of World Christianity.  Grand Rapids, Michigan:  Baker Academic, 2006.

Pachuau, Lalsangkima.  World Christianity:  A Historical and Theological Introduction.  Abingdon Press, 2018.

Pobee, J. [John] S. [Samuel].  Religion in a Pluralistic Society:  Essays Presented to C. G. Baeta.  Leiden:  Brill, 1975.

Poon, Michael Nai-Chiu, ed.  Christian Movements in Southeast Asia:  A Theological Exploration.  CSCA Christianity in Southeast Asia Series.  Singapore: Trinity Theological College / Genesis Books, 2010.

Robert, Dana L. Christian Mission: How Christianity Became a World Religion. Wiley-Blackwell, 2009.

Roof, Wade Clark, ed.  World Order and Religion.  Albany, New York:  SUNY Press, 1991.

Ross, Kenneth R., eds. Atlas of Global Christianity. Edinburgh University Press, 2009.

Ross, Kenneth R., J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu, and Todd M. Johnson. Christianity in Sub-Saharan Africa. Edinburgh Companions to Global Christianity. Edinburgh University Press, 2017.

Ross, Kenneth R. and Daniel Jeyaraj, eds.  Christianity in South and Central Asia.  Edinburgh Companions to Global Christianity.  Edited by Todd M. Johnson.  Edinburgh University Press, 2019.

Ross, Kenneth R., Mariz Tadros, and Todd M. Johnson, eds. Christianity in North Africa and West Asia. Edinburgh Companions to Global Christianity. Edinburgh University Press, 2018.

Sanneh, Lamin. Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World Christianity. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Sanneh, Lamin. Translating the Message: The Missionary Impact on Culture. 2nd ed., revised and expanded. American Missiology Society 13. Orbis Books, 2009.

Sanneh, Lamin and Michael J. McClymond, eds.  The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to World Christianity.  Wiley Blackwell Companions to Religion.  Oxford:  Wiley-Blackwell, 2016.

Shaw, Ian J. Christianity: the Biography: 2000 Years of Global History. Zondervan, 2016.

Shaw, Mark R. The Kingdom of God in Africa: A Short History of African Christianity. Baker, 1996.

Shiels, W. J., ed.  The Church and Healing.  Studies in Church History 19.  Oxford:  Blackwell, 1982.

Stanley, Brian, ed.  Christian Missions and the Enlightenment.  Studies in the History of Christian Mission.  Grand Rapids, Michigan:  Eerdmans, 2001.

Stanley, Brian. Christianity in the Twentieth Century: A World History. Princeton University Press, 2018.

Stanley, Brian, ed. Missions, Nationalism, and the End of Empire. Studies in the History of Christian Missions. Eerdmans, 2004.

Stine, Philip C., ed.  Bible Translation and the Spread of the Church.  Leiden:  E. J. Brill, 1990.

Sunquist, Scott W.  Explorations in Asian Christianity:  History, Theology, and Mission. Missiological Engagements. IVP Academic, 2017.

Swartz, David R.  Facing West:  American Evangelicals in an Age of World Christianity. Oxford University Press, 2020.

Vähäkangas, Mika.  Between Ghambageu and Jesus:  The Encounter between the Sonjo Traditional Leaders and Missionary Christianity.  Studia Missiologica et Oecumenica Fennica 61.  Helsinki, Finland:  Luther-Agricola-Society, 2008.

Walls, Andrew F.  The Cross-Cultural Process in Christian History: Studies in the Transmission and Appropriation of Faith. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2002.

Walls, Andrew F.  Crossing Cultural Frontiers: Studies in the History of World Christianity. Ed. Mark R. Gornik. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 2017.

Walls, Andrew F.  The Missionary Movement in Christian History: Studies in the Transmission of Faith. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1996.  

Walls, Andrew F. and Cathy Ross, eds.  Mission in the 21st Century: Exploring the Five Marks of Global Mission.  Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2008.

Ward, Kevin and Brian Stanley, eds. The Church Mission Society and World Christianity, 1799-1999. Studies in the History of Christian Missions. Eerdmans, 2000.

Whaling, Frank, ed.  Religion in Today’s World:  The Religious Situation of the World from 1945 to the Present Day.  Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1987.

Wilken, Robert Louis. The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity. Yale University Press, 2012.

Woodberry, J. Dudley  Charles Van Engen, and Edgar J. Elliston, eds.  Missiological Education for the Twenty-First Century:  The Book, the Circle, and the Sandals:  Essays in Honor of Paul E. Pierson.  Maryknoll, New York:  Orbis Books, 1996.
(NB: There is also a reprint edition — Wipf & Stock, 2005)