The Rise of the Global South: The Decline of Western Christendom and the Rise of Majority World Christianity

by Luis Bush; Elijah Jong Fil Kim

Publisher:

Wipf and Stock

, 2012

Overview

Global Christianity has been experiencing an unprecedented historical transition from the West to the non-Western world. The leadership of global Christianity has taken on a new face since the twentieth century. Christendom in Europe and America has experienced a great decline while there has been a rise in Majority World Christianity. Churches in the Global South have given their voices to global Christianity through their leadership, world mission movements, and theology. The phenomenal church growth has risen from the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement. Pentecostalism has become the dominant force in global Christianity today. The Rise of the Global South examines the significance this shift has had on global Christianity by going through the history of Christianity in the West and the causes of the shift.

Praise for The Rise of the Global South

The uniqueness of the book is four-fold. It is written by a non-Westerner with a global reach not confined to Asian biases. It is written by a practitioner whose own history has marked out effective Christianity en route. It is written by a Pentecostal , and so the report relishes the growth of Pentecostalism worldwide as an important contributor to the emerging Christian brand. And it is written by an evangelist who spares not his own subtle commentaries along the way.

Dr Kim’s book is a megaphone for mission. And for his passion, poignancy and predictions, we ought all to be most grateful. The fun is going to be when the critics and the collegium jockey this book alongside those of mission historian Stephen Neill.
--Fletcher L Tink, Ph.D., Director of Bresee Institute for Metro-Ministries

"Dr. Kim is an Asian scholar who is also a keen observer of the Western church. His prophetic analysis of the decline of Western Christianity may serve to stimulate a new birth of renewal and vitality in the West as the Christian faith is re-discovered as a non-Western faith. Kim’s fresh perspective and historical clarity is like a loving word of admonition from a dear friend."
--Timothy C. Tennent, Ph.D.
President, Asbury Theological Seminary
Professor of World Christianity

"Dr. Kim is an Asian scholar and practitioner who, while witnessing the growth of Christianity in the Global South, is asking questions about its declining strength in Europe and North America. His wide-ranging analysis offers a fresh perspective on trends in global Christianity."
--Todd Johnson
Associate Professor of Global Christianity
Director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

"The Rise of the Global South is a must-read for Christian leaders to understand the time and trends of world Christianity. Dr. Elijah Kim provides penetrating insights, warnings, and aspiration for our times."
--Sang-Bok David Kim
President of Torch Trinity Graduate University (Korea)
Chairman of the World Evangelical Alliance

"While ‘Ichabod’ is the sad epitaph for much of Western Christianity, ‘Emmanuel’ is the palpable and vivid characteristic of the Church in much of Africa and Asia. For an informative and encouraging introduction to what God is doing around the world, I recommend this book. ‘Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land’ (Prov. 25:25 [NIV])."
--Jonathan Bonk
Executive Director, Overseas Ministries Study Center
Regular Visiting Professor, Yale Divinity School

Elijah Kim writes with much urgency and insight in directing serious scholars to the core issues contributing to the seismic shift in present day world Christianity, from its traditional base in the Northern Hemisphere to the Global South and East, Here is a key introduction to a vital subject for all serious students of Christianity in the twenty first century."

J. Steve O’Malley
John T. Seamands Professor of Methodist Holiness History
Director of the Center for the Study of World Christian Revitalization Movements
Asbury Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title : The Rise of the Global South: The Decline of Western Christendom and the Rise of Majority World Christianity
• Authors:
  • Kim, Elijah Jong Fil
  • Bush, Luis
• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Publication Date: 2012
• ISBN: 9781621891932

About the Authors

Elijah Jong Fil Kim (PhD, Birmingham, England) is president of Pathos Foundation in Boston, which he established for the revival and awakening movement in America. He is also president of the Elijah International World Mission Institute in the Philippines. He is an organizer for the Manila International Mission Conference in collaboration with the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches.