Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry
  • Home
  • Calendar
    • Events
  • Blog
  • About
    • About Wittenberg CoMo
    • Support Us
    • Contact Us
  • Recording Archives
    • Resources >
      • Christianity 101
      • Greek Tutorials
  • Position Papers
  • Sandbox

Where's the Heart of Christianity?

5/1/2017

0 Comments

 
Mondays are for Church History - 5/1/17

For much of the Christian period the heart of Christianity has been in Western Europe. In the last seventy years or so it may well have shifted to other parts of the world. Gonzalez examines the way Christianity is expressed in some of these different regions.

Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: The Reformation to the Present Day. Revised and Updated ed. Vol. 2. New York: HarperCollins, 2010b. Kindle Electronic Edition.
Chapter 37, “Vitality at the Periphery” Loc. 7713-8200.

Gonzalez notes that in the second half of the 20th century Christianity was on the decline in the Western world but was thriving elsewhere (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7726). India saw striking revivals, especially in the charismatic movement (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7748). There were also notable moves to encourage unity among diverse groups of Christians (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7763). In China after World War II missionary activity and much training of leaders stopped (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7778). By the 1960s there was widespread persecution. As the persecution lifted the Church emerged, larger and stronger than before the Cultural Revolution (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7793). The climate in China was difficult to analyze due to a division between governmentally approved and disapproved churches. Japan saw growth, especially among Pentecostal groups, during this time period (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7815). In Korea, both before and after the division into North and South Korea, Christianity grew rapidly, especially in the lower classes (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7830). Korea was also active in sending missionaries overseas in the 20th century (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7837).

In Africa, home of some of the earliest Christians, the 20th century saw direct attacks in both World Wars as well as a strong Islamic influence (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7853). The Ethiopian Church engaged in missionary activity by emigration. Roman Catholicism grew even as colonialism waned and nations affirmed their own sovereignty (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7860). Among Protestants there was “explosive” growth (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7867). In the conflicts against Islam as well as those against a colonial past, Christianity was a source of peace and justice. The Pentecostal movement especially reached out effectively to Africa (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7882). Gonzalez notes that locally developed church bodies have membership of 80-90 million and send missionaries to all parts of the world (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7896).

Latin America continued its trend of broad tolerance but governmental authority over some affairs of the Church (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7911). There were moves on the part of the Church to assert itself as the champion of the poor (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7942). The Pentecostal movement saw the most notable numeric growth, through emotional revivals (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7950). Much of the shift in Latin America seems to be from a form of nominal Catholicism to an enthusiastic Protestantism (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7972). Gonzalez notes that there was not a strong ecumenical movement in Latin America. He suggests that fear of Catholic influence may have discouraged cooperation (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 7995).

Around the world, churches tended to band together in the 20th century. Gonzalez does not see this as a pursuit of unity in doctrine but that “all Christians, whatever their race or nationality, would engage in a common search for the meaning of obedience to Christ in the modern world” (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8011). Organizations tended to gather diverse groups so as to ask questions together. They would share ideas rather than direct policy (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8018). An emphasis on mutual agreement rather than specific doctrinal truth governed many of the ecumenical meetings (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8039). The World Council of Churches, which formed after World War II, was a natural outcome of these movements (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8069). The declarations of the World Council tend to focus on widely held ideas of peace and justice (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8090). Toward the end of the 20th century the Council took a greater interest in matters such as ecology (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8097). Gonzalez observes that regional and national ecumenical organizations also flourished during the 20th century (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8105).

In the world of theology, Gonzalez considers the very important phenomenon of “contextual” theologies (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8127). Most of these consider the gospel as “a message of liberation for those in their own particular context” (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8142). There have been a variety, often called liberation theologies. Gonzalez considers feminist theology to belong to this group as well (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8142). These theologies typically use a Marxist model of revolution. After seeing a problem, the theology judges its nature, then takes action to overcome it (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8158). Gonzalez traces these theologies briefly to many parts of the world (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8166).

Gonzalez concludes this chapter by observing that missions have often had a goal of “three selves: self-government, self-support, and self-propagation” (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8181). In recent years, younger church bodies have raised questions which challenge traditional theology. These questions are often accompanied by missionary activity in which post-Christian regions are influenced (Gonzalez 2010b, Loc. 8188). The work continues as new church bodies are prepared to expand to a variety of regions.

All the work of Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry, including this blog, is supported by the generosity of people like you. Please consider joining our team of prayer and financial supporters. Read more here!

​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    ​Help Fuel This Ministry by Clicking Here!

    All the work of Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry, including this blog, is supported by the generosity of people like you. Please consider joining our team of prayer and financial supporters. Read more here!
    Please Note: The opinions presented in blog posts are not necessarily those of Wittenberg Door Campus Ministry. Frequently we report on contrary views, often without comment. Please chime in on the discussion.

    About Throwing Inkwells

    When Martin Luther was dealing with struggles in his life he once saw what appeared to be an angelic being. Not trusting that he was going to be informed by someone other than the God revealed in Scripture, he took the appearance to be untrustworthy and hurled his inkwell at it. The chipped place in the plaster wall is still visible at the Wartburg Castle, though apparently the ink stain on the wall has been refreshed periodically by the caretaker.

    Blog Feeds

    RSS Feed

    Want to keep up with what's happening at Wittenberg Door? Subscribe to our mailing list!

    Categories

    All
    1 Corinthians
    1 John
    1 Kings
    1 Peter
    1 Samuel
    1 Thessalonians
    1 Timothy
    2019-02-feb
    2 Chronicles
    2 Corinthians
    2-john
    2-kings
    2 Peter
    2 Samuel
    2 Thessalonians
    2 Timothy
    3-john
    Academic-success
    Acts
    Advent 1
    Advent-1-a
    Advent-1b
    Advent-1c
    Advent 2
    Advent-2-a
    Advent-2b
    Advent-2c
    Advent 3
    Advent-3-a
    Advent-3b
    Advent-3c
    Advent 4
    Advent-4-a
    Advent-4b
    Advent-4c
    Alesso-2009
    Alexander 1999
    Allitt-2010
    Alon 1996
    Amos
    Aristotle
    Audet 1996
    Augustine
    Bakker 1993
    Bammel 1996
    Baptism Of Christ
    Baptism-of-the-lord-b
    Bauckham 2006
    Belonging
    Ben-Amos 1999
    Betz 1996
    Biesenthal 1893
    Boehme-2010
    Braaten 2007
    Bruce1988
    Bruce-1988
    Bryennios
    Butler 1960
    Canonicity
    Capon1998
    Capon-1998
    Carson-1991
    Carson-moo-2005
    Catholicism
    Christmas-1b
    Christmas-1c
    Christmas Dawn
    Christmas-day
    Christmas Eve
    Christmas Midnight
    Chronicles
    Circumcision And Naming Of Christ
    Colossians
    Confession Of Peter
    Confessions
    Connolly 1932
    Connolly 1933
    Connolly 1934
    Constanza-2013
    Culley 1986
    Daniel
    DeHalleux 1996
    Deuteronomy
    Didache
    Diversity
    Dix 1933
    Dix2005
    Dix-2005
    Doane 1994
    Draper
    Draper 1989
    Draper 1995
    Draper 1996
    Easter 2
    Easter-2a
    Easter2b
    Easter-2c
    Easter 3
    Easter-3a
    Easter-3b
    Easter-3c
    Easter 4
    Easter-4a
    Easter-4b
    Easter-4c
    Easter 5
    Easter-5a
    Easter-5b
    Easter 6
    Easter-6a
    Easter-6b
    Easter-6c
    Easter 7
    Easter-7a
    Easter-7b
    Easter-7c
    Easter-b
    Easter Day
    Easter-sunday-a
    Easter-sunday-c
    Ecclesiastes
    Eleutheria-2014
    Elman 1999
    Ephesians
    Epiphany
    Epiphany-1c
    Epiphany-2-a
    Epiphany-2c
    Epiphany-3-a
    Epiphany-3b
    Epiphany-3c
    Epiphany-4-a
    Epiphany-4b
    Epiphany-4c
    Epiphany-5-a
    Epiphany-5b
    Epiphany-5c
    Epiphany-6-a
    Epiphany-6c
    Epiphany-7-a
    Epiphany-c
    Epistle Of Barnabas
    Esther
    Eucharist
    Eve Of The Circumcision Of Christ
    Exodus
    Exodus-20
    Ezekiel
    Ezra
    Fagerberg1988
    Fagerberg-1988
    Farrell 1987
    Flew-2007
    Flusser 1996
    Forde-2007
    France-2007
    Galatians
    Genesis
    Gibbs 2006
    Glover 1958
    Gonzalez-2010
    Grosvener & Schaff 1885
    Grosvenor 1884
    Habakkuk
    Haggai
    Harnack 1884
    Hebrews
    Henderson 1992
    Henderson-1992
    History
    Hoffman 1986
    Holy Innocents
    Hosea
    Hutchens-2013
    Hymes 1994
    Infertility
    Isaiah
    James
    Jeffreys 1986
    Jeremiah
    Jerome
    Job
    Joel
    John
    Jonah
    Joshua
    Jude
    Judges
    Jungmann 1959
    Justin-martyr
    Kelber 1987
    Kelber 1995
    Kevil
    Kings
    Kleinig-2013
    Koch-2010
    Kolb2000
    Kolb-2000
    Kolbarand2008
    Kolb-arand-2008
    Kurekchomycz2009
    Lamentations
    Last Sunday Of The Church Year
    Last-sunday-of-the-church-year-a
    Last-sunday-of-the-church-year-b
    Last Sunday Of The Church Year C
    Lectionary
    Lent 1
    Lent-1-a
    Lent-1b
    Lent-1c
    Lent 2
    Lent-2-a
    Lent-2b
    Lent-2c
    Lent 3
    Lent-3-a
    Lent-3b
    Lent-3c
    Lent 4
    Lent-4-a
    Lent-4b
    Lent-4c
    Lent 5
    Lent-5-a
    Lent-5b
    Lent-5c
    Lessing2014
    Lessing-2014
    Leviticus
    Lincoln 1885
    Long-2009
    Lord 1986
    Lord 1987
    Luke
    Luther
    Maas-2014
    Malachi
    Mark
    Marty-2016
    Martyrs
    Mason 1998
    Matthew
    Matthias
    Mazza 1996
    Mcknight-2014
    Micah
    Milavec-2003
    Milavec-2012
    Mitch-2010
    Molina & Evers 1998
    Montenyohl 1993
    Morris-1992
    Motyer-1993
    Mueller 2006
    Music
    Nahum
    Nehemiah
    Newsletter
    Newtestament
    New Testament
    Niditch 1995
    Niederwimmer 1996
    Numbers
    Obadiah
    Oldtestament
    Old Testament
    Olsen 1986
    Ong 1987
    Ong 1988
    Ong 1995
    Orality
    Ordination
    Orphan-hosting
    Osborne-2002
    Osborne-2013
    Ozment1980
    Ozment-1980
    Palm-sunday-a
    Palm-sunday-c
    Parks 1986
    Passionb
    Pearce 1993
    Pentateuch
    Pentecost-10a
    Pentecost-10b
    Pentecost-10c
    Pentecost-11a
    Pentecost-11b
    Pentecost-11c
    Pentecost-12a
    Pentecost-12b
    Pentecost-12c
    Pentecost-13a
    Pentecost-13b
    Pentecost13c
    Pentecost-13c
    Pentecost-14a
    Pentecost-14b
    Pentecost-14c
    Pentecost-15
    Pentecost-15a
    Pentecost-15b
    Pentecost-15c
    Pentecost-16
    Pentecost-16a
    Pentecost-16b
    Pentecost 16C
    Pentecost-17a
    Pentecost-17b
    Pentecost 17C
    Pentecost-18a
    Pentecost-18b
    Pentecost 18 C
    Pentecost-19a
    Pentecost-19b
    Pentecost 19 C
    Pentecost-1a
    Pentecost-20a
    Pentecost-20b
    Pentecost 20 C
    Pentecost-21a
    Pentecost-21b
    Pentecost 21 C
    Pentecost-22a
    Pentecost-22b
    Pentecost 22 C
    Pentecost-23a
    Pentecost-23b
    Pentecost 23 C
    Pentecost-24a
    Pentecost-24b
    Pentecost-24-c
    Pentecost-25b
    Pentecost-25-c
    Pentecost-26b
    Pentecost-26-c
    Pentecost-2a
    Pentecost-2b
    Pentecost-2c
    Pentecost-3a
    Pentecost-3b
    Pentecost-3c
    Pentecost-4a
    Pentecost-4b
    Pentecost-4c
    Pentecost-5a
    Pentecost-5b
    Pentecost-5c
    Pentecost-6a
    Pentecost-6b
    Pentecost-6c
    Pentecost-7a
    Pentecost-7b
    Pentecost-7c
    Pentecost-8a
    Pentecost-8b
    Pentecost-8c
    Pentecost-9a
    Pentecost-9b
    Pentecost-9c
    Pentecost-b
    Pentecost-c
    Pentecost Sunday
    Peterson2010
    Peterson-2010
    Philemon
    Philippians
    Philosophy
    Pieper1924
    Pieper-1924
    Piper 1947
    Preaching
    Proper-19c
    Proper-20c
    Proper 21C
    Proper 22C
    Proper 23C
    Proper 24C
    Proper 25C
    Proper 26C
    Proper 27C
    Proper 28C
    Prophets
    Proverbs
    Psalm
    Quinquagesima
    Quintilian
    Receptivity
    Reformation
    Revelation
    Rhetoric
    Romans
    Rordorf 1996
    Rosenberg 1986
    Rosenberg 1987
    Rosenfeld-levene-2012
    Rueger-2016
    Russo 1994
    Ruth
    Sailhamer1992
    Sailhamer-1992
    Sale 1996
    Samuel
    Scaer2004
    Scaer-2004
    Schaff 1888
    Schaff 2014
    Schaff-2014
    Schollgen
    Seeliger 1996
    Septuagesima
    Sermon
    Sexagesima
    Smith-2009
    Sommerville-2006
    Songofsongs
    St. Andrew
    Stark 1997
    St. John
    St. Stephen
    St. Thomas
    Sunday Of The Passion
    Taylor 1888
    Teaching
    Telfer 1939
    Thielman-2010
    Titus
    Transfiguration
    Transfiguration-a
    Transfigurationb
    Transfiguration-c
    Trinity 1
    Trinity 10
    Trinity 11
    Trinity 12
    Trinity 13
    Trinity 14
    Trinity 15
    Trinity 16
    Trinity 17
    Trinity 18
    Trinity 19
    Trinity 2
    Trinity 20
    Trinity 21
    Trinity 22
    Trinity 23
    Trinity 3
    Trinity 4
    Trinity 5
    Trinity 6
    Trinity 7
    Trinity 8
    Trinity 9
    Trinity-a
    Trinity-b
    Trinity-c
    Trinity Sunday
    Tuckett
    Ty 19
    Van-de-sandt-2010
    Van-de-sandt-2011
    Veith1993
    Veith-1993
    Veith-sutton-2017
    Vikis-Freibergs 1997
    Voobus 1969
    Warfield 1886
    Wasson & Toelken 1998
    Weston-2009
    Wilson2011
    Wilson-2011
    Wilson20113470b5cf10
    Ysebaert-2002
    Zechariah
    Zephaniah

Proudly powered by Weebly