Abstract
After the epic world wars of the twentieth century, the seemingly relentless progress of secularisation and modernity in the developed world, the collapse of Communism, and the rise of consumerism, few would have predicted that the early years of the twenty-first century would be dominated by religion. The new millennium has opened with religion not only proving to be resilient, but quite frankly, resurgent. Found in new movements, reactive fundamentalism, creative post-modern shapes (e.g., ‘fresh expressions’ of church, etc.) and politics, faiths – almost of any kind – seem to have found a way to not only survive in the modern world, but actually flourish. The predictable predictions of the proponents of secularisation (e.g., Steve Bruce) and secularism (e.g., Richard Dawkins) stand as spectators on the pitch, watching awe-struck as a team and a game long believed to be defeated, now seems to be mounting one of the most astonishing comebacks. Religion is alive; and sometimes kicking. God is back; and faith, far from being futile, seems to be in rude health - flourishing.
The authors of Christians in the 21st Century have managed, in fewer than five hundred pages, to pull off a rather remarkable feat. Focusing on Christians and Christianity in the twenty-first century, they offer a detailed report and general analysis on the state of play. The span of the work is ambitious, to say the least. But the authors have managed to provide a volume that offers a comprehensive guide to the filed, and with it, a new slant on studying contemporary Christian faith. Rather than focusing on Christianity’s history and theology, the authors focus on the contemporary beliefs and practices of contemporary adherents. The result is a fresh and lively account of a lively and highly diversified faith that has evolved a number of traditions and practices across a range of countries and contexts. From China to Chile, and from Australia to America, there is no place, no movement and no development left untouched by this book. It is a remarkable global survey, and combines insight with an even-handed analytical approach that will promote further discussion and reflection.
The deeper value of the approach taken by Chryssides and Wilkins lies in their attention to the cultural and commercial aspects of contemporary faith. Alongside the necessary and welcome treatment of denominations, the authors also analyse the folk religious aspects of Christianity, and some of its more marginal and tangential developments. Sections also explore the health and prognosis for mainline denominations; examine the growth of fundamentalism, and the ways in which new scholarship is helping to reshape the church and how believers belong.
Christians in the 21st Century is an ambitious, remarkable and lively introduction to contemporary global Christianity. Few publications have come close to achieving the coverage and insight provided by the authors, and this book is sure to become a standard textbook for all who want to study contemporary Christianity. This is a wide-ranging, accessible book that will be welcomed by students and scholars alike, as well as general readers.