Christianity as a World Religion

(Hardback, 3rd edition)

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Now in its third edition, Christianity as a World Religion locates the Christian faith within its global context. Structured by geographical region, it covers Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania, showing how Christianity is locally rooted in different communities. Within each region, it considers the history of the spread and reception of Christianity there; distinctive forms of church, worship and theology; the interreligious relations of the churches; and Christian interaction with society, politics, and economics.

New to this edition:

- Further coverage of the role of migration and transnational movements
- Additional attention to Orthodox Churches, Pentecostalism
- More explicit coverage of race and race theory, gender and sexuality, theory and method of world Christianity
- Relevant updates throughout, including #blacklivesmatter, climate-change, Hispanic migration to the US, the Covid-19 pandemic, the significance of Ukraine.
- Chapter summaries and updated recommended readings

Also included are study questions, maps, and 40 images. Online resources provide additional case studies for use by instructors. Methodologies covered include religious studies, theology, history, and cultural, social and development studies, so it is ideal for courses on World Christianity, Christianity as a Global Religion, the History of Christianity and contemporary Christian Theology

Reviews

This revised and updated third edition of Christianity as a World Religion, provides in lucid prose a well-documented fascinating account of diverse expressions of Christianity in all the continents from its inception to the present day from a global, ecumenical and post-colonial perspective. The authors attempt to show how Christianity is locally rooted and the same time globally connected through increased immigration and networks, is a unique contribution. * Peter Vethanayagamony, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, USA *
This volume manages to cover an extraordinary amount of subject matter. In doing so, it presents a unique and essential peripheral vision of the global phenomenon that is Christianity. As an introductory text it is much needed. * Jack Cunningham, Bishop Grosseteste University, UK *
Methodologically rich and substantive in its coverage, if you are looking for a comprehensive study of world Christianity, this is the volume. * Lalsangkima Pachuau, Asbury Theological Seminary, USA *

This is the go-to primer on the story of Christianitys expanse and the issues it has faced around the globe. Readers will find this third edition, with deepened discussions and updated topics, a welcome revision to an already excellent book.

* Alexander Chow, University of Edinburgh, UK *
Christianity as a World Religion traverses the rich tapestry of Christian traditions, examining cultural, historical, and social dimensions with precision and nuance. Kim and Kim masterfully balance Christianitys universality and locality, which encompasses a multitude of traditions, interpretations, and practices. This book stands out for its scholarly depth and accessible prose. I have used earlier editions of this book as a main textbook in undergraduate and graduate courses and frequently recommend them to anyone seeking to understand Christianity as a world religion.. * Soojin Chung, Princeton Theological Seminary, USA *
In the midst of a boom in publications on World Christianity, the already classic study by Sebastian and Kirsteen Kim now in a third and revised edition - deserves special attention. It offers innovative approaches to Christianity as a World Religion. Arranged by continents, it describes Christianity as a globally widespread and locally rooted movement, with a special focus on processes of globalization from below. Indispensable for future research. * Klaus Koschorke, University of Munich, Germany *
Christianity as a World Religion has established itself as a key textbook in courses related to world Christianity and mission in several academic institutions in different contexts. In places I am familiar with I have witnessed it in high demand by undergraduates and by postgraduate researchers and scholars. Lucidly written with both the specialist and non-specialist audience in mind the book offers in succinct form a history of worldwide Christianity: how Christianity is a global religion yet is always embedded in local cultural contexts. World Christianity is often taken to mean Christianity in the global south (or non-west), but this book challenges such notions by including European and North American Christianities as equally part of that concept. This third and expanded edition utilises new literature, especially focusing on the interconnected nature of global Christianity as well as bringing in the authors reflections based on their experience of relocating to a new geographical and academic setting since the last edition. No doubt this superb book will continue to be much sought after. * Muthuraj Swamy, Cambridge Centre for Christianity Worldwide, UK *
One sure indication of the success of a book is the number of its editions. Sebastian and Kirsteen Kim's Christianity as a World Religion's third edition is not just a reprint with superficial improvements. New features, including new and updated issues, fresh maps and pictures, reformulated chapter summaries, study questions, and recommended readings, make this new edition all the more helpful and indispensable textbook for a course on contemporary Christianity. Once again, I am proud to recommend it most warmly. * Peter C. Phan, Georgetown University, USA *
Amidst all the complexities and diversity of World Christianity, the need remains for an introductory volume that provides a textured overview of the history and current realities of Christianity as a global religion. This updated edition of Sebastian and Kirsteens fine work does exactly that in a remarkably succinct yet rich way. I recommend it warmly. * Paul Bendor-Samuel, The Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, UK *
A richly detailed portrait of contemporary Christian diversity informed by a masterful synthesis of mission history. Sebastian and Kirsteen Kim's fully updated, panoramic overview of Christianity as a two-thousand-year-old global faith is both an invaluable teaching resource and a notable scholarly achievement! * William P. Gregory, Clarke University, USA *

Author Bio

Sebastian Kim is Robert Wiley Professor of Renewal in Public Life and Academic Dean for the Korean Studies Center, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA

Kirsteen Kim is Paul E. Pierson Professor of World Christianity and Associate Dean for the Center for Missiological Research, Fuller Theological Seminary, USA