Global Gospel: An Introduction to Christianity on Five Continents
Overview
In this groundbreaking book, award-winning author Douglas Jacobsen describes global Christianity and provides a framework for understanding the varied experiences of Christians around the world. Focusing on Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and North America, Jacobsen recounts their differing histories, contemporary experiences, and cultural theologies. In the current era of massive and dynamic global challenges, this accessible volume sets the stage for Christians worldwide to engage the Gospel and each other more deeply.
For more titles on global Christianity, check out the Global Christianity Collection (7 vols.).
Key Features
- Provides perspective on contemporary Christianity across the globe
- Chronicles the history of Christianity in a variety of cultural settings
- Includes maps, charts, and illustrations
Contents
- Global Christianity: A Very Brief History
- Four Christian Traditions
- Africa
- Latin America
- Europe
- Asia
- North America
Top Highlights
“it is Christians who are killing other Christians.20” (Page 60)
“In Africa, Christianity is about the community, not the individual. To be an African Christian is to be enveloped in relations with others, and spirituality happens in the midst of that communal experience of life. What happens to one person happens to all. Joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, are experienced by everyone together. Worship is the joyful, exuberant, full-bodied celebration of God and God’s presence within the community of believers on Earth.” (Page 62)
“What does grab their attention is the nitty-gritty concerns of life: caring for children and parents, making sure everyone is fed, tending the sick, and calming community disputes.” (Page 66)
“Missionaries started schools as a way to win converts for Christ, and European governments benefitted from an educated native workforce that could help them run their colonies.” (Page 49)
“In 1302, for example, Pope Boniface VIII declared in Unam sanctam that ‘it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.’” (Page 29)
Praise for the Print Edition
Douglas Jacobsen has provided a succinct, well-organized, and clearly written historical account of contemporary Christianity as a truly global religion. Broad coverage of geographical regions and theological traditions—including very helpful graphs, charts, and bibliography—underscores the book’s emphasis on diversity. For a Christian world that is continuing to change with unprecedented speed, Global Gospel offers unusually perceptive guidance.
—Mark A. Noll, professor of history, University of Notre Dame
What sets Global Gospel apart from other world Christianity textbooks is its masterful interweaving of historical narrative and theological analysis; helpful inclusion of figures, sidebars, and demographic data and trends; and expert deployment of primary sources and the best scholarship in the field. It provides teachers an invaluable resource to frame their lectures and spur discussion. Students will be informed, initiated, and inspired. We are all indebted to Douglas Jacobsen.
—Amos Yong, professor of theology and mission, Fuller Theological Seminary
Douglas Jacobsen has accomplished a rare—and much-welcomed—feat. His Global Gospel is uncomplicated and accessible in style yet encyclopedic in content. Writing with equal parts clarity and comprehensiveness, Jacobsen has created a text that introduces the histories of the Christian churches around the world. With its helpful graphics and lucid writing, this book is sure to become a standard textbook and reference work for years to come.
—Todd E. Johnson, associate professor of worship, theology, and the arts, Fuller Theological Seminary
- Title: Global Gospel: An Introduction to Christianity on Five Continents
- Author: Douglas Jacobsen
- Publisher: Baker Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2015
- Logos Release Date: 2018
- Pages: 272
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Christianity
- ISBNs: 9781441248770, 9780801049934, 1441248773, 0801049938
- Resource ID: LLS:GLBLGSPLCNTNNTS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:15:32Z
Sample Pages from the Print Edition
Reviews
2 ratings
TImothy P Locklear II
5/20/2022
Nicolas Wong
5/15/2018
Felmar Roel Rap. Singco
2/16/2018
Christianity has four distinguishing marks: One, Holy, Catholic (or Global or Universal), and Apostolic. The Divine Commission is out wardly, and points to all the four corners of the Planet and even be yond, and is meant to cover and include all peoples, races, tongues, families, religions, groups, and nations. The Church Militant's out look was, is, and will all ways be, missionary: it is out wardly, embracing in to her self and her the proclamation of the message of the Holy Gospel, virtually all, all creatures, all creation, including this Earth and all that in it are, and even be yond.
