“This book is a guide to global Christianity in all its organizational and geographical diversity. It is a friendly encounter with Christians around the world, in Europe and North America and increasingly in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Written in an accessible but authoritative style, it will serve as a reliable sourcebook and a valuable introduction to the living variety of today’s multicultural Christian faith.”
―Mark Juergensmeyer, University of California-Santa Barbara, editor of Global Religions: An Introduction
“I am very impressed with this book. It presents a massive amount of material in an accessible fashion. I know of no other book like it available today.”
―Anne T. Thayer, Professor of Church History, Lancaster Theological Seminary
“An outstanding work of scholarship. This balanced and comprehensive overview of global Christian realities is the single best introduction to world Christianity that I have ever read.”
―Dale T. Irvin, President and Professor of World Christianity, New York Theological Seminary
“At a time when readers are looking for a good basic book on Christianity as a world religion, Douglas Jacobsen offers something even better: a global survey of who and where the Christians are, and a brief history as well. Students and casual readers alike will come away with their questions answered, and those who want to learn more will find many good suggestions about what to read next. This is a valuable book, well worth getting–and keeping.”
―Joel Carpenter, Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity, Calvin College
“Douglas Jacobsen has written a remarkably thoughtful, insightful, lively and near-comprehensive account of the sprawling, vivid, internally plural and wildly complex phenomenon of world Christianity. For students of politics, culture, development and conflict―for anyone interested in the evolution and prospects of the hundreds of Christian – influenced or inflected societies around the world―The World’s Christians is indispensable.”
―R. Scott Appleby, Professor of History, University of Notre Dame
From the Back Cover
“An outstanding work of scholarship. This balanced and comprehensive overview of global Christian realities is the single best introduction to world Christianity that I have ever read.”
Dale T. Irvin, New York Theological Seminary
“I am very impressed with this book. It presents a massive amount of material in an accessible fashion. I know of no other book like it available today.”
Anne T. ayer, Lancaster Theological Seminary
“At a time when readers are looking for a good basic book on Christianity as a world religion, Douglas Jacobsen o ers something even better: a global survey of who and where the Christians are, and a brief history as well. Students and casual readers alike will come away with their questions answered, and those who want to learn more will find many good suggestions about what to read next. This is a valuable book, well worth getting – and keeping.”
Joel Carpenter, Calin College
“Douglas Jacobsen has written a remarkably thoughtful, insightful, lively, and near-comprehensive account of the sprawling, vivid, internally plural, and wildly complex phenomenon of world Christianity. For students of politics, culture, development, and con ict – for anyone interested in the evolution and prospects of the hundreds of Christian-influenced or -inflected societies around the world – The World’s Christians is indispensable.”
R. Scott Appleby, University of Notre Dame
Christianity is the world’s largest religion, with one third of the world’s population defi ning themselves as Christians, and with a truly global presence. In a clear and lively style, Jacobsen describes how Christianity has developed and spread around the world and how Christians in many different cultures live their faith today. The book off ers a balanced and engaging account of global Christianity, past and present, with captivating accounts of the world’s four major Christian traditions: Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Pentecostal. Th e geographical territory covered by the book is uniquely comprehensive, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as Europe, North America, and the Pacifi c. Th e book contains fascinating demographic insights about global Christianity.
About the Author
DOUGLAS JACOBSEN is Distinguished Professor of Church History and Theology at Messiah College. He is author of numerous books, including Thinking in the Spirit: Theologies of the Early Pentecostal Moement (2003), which received the Pneuma Award from the Society for Pentecostal Studies, and The American University in a Postsecular Age (with Rhonda Hustedt Jacobsen, 2008), winner of the 2009 Lilly Fellows Book Award.
