Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World Christianity

by Lamin Sanneh

Long the dominant religion of the West, Christianity is now rapidly becoming the principal faith in much of the postcolonial world--a development that marks a momentous shift in the religion's very center of gravity. In this eye-opening book, Lamin Sanneh examines the roots of this "post-Western awakening" and the unparalleled richness and diversity, as well as the tension and conflict, it has brought to World Christianity.

Tracing Christianity's rise from its birth on the edge of the Roman empire--when it proclaimed itself to be a religion for the entire world, not just for one people, one time, and one place--to its key role in Europe's maritime and colonial expansion, Sanneh sheds new light on the ways in which post-Western societies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America were drawn into the Christian orbit. Ultimately, he shows, these societies outgrew Christianity's colonial forms and restructured it through their own languages and idioms--a process that often occurred outside, and sometimes against, the lines of denominational control. The effect of such changes, Sanneh contends, has been profound, transforming not only worship, prayer, and the interpretation of Scripture, but also art, aesthetics, and music associated with the church. In exploring this story of Christianity's global expansion and its current resurgence in the non-Western world, Sanneh pays close attention to such issues as the faith's
encounters with Islam and indigenous religions, as well as with secular ideologies such as Marxism and nationalism. He also considers the challenges that conservative, non-Western forms of Christianity pose to Western liberal values and Enlightenment ideas.

Here then is a groundbreaking study of Christianity's role in cultural innovation and historical change--and must reading for all who are concerned with the present and future of the faith.

Genres: Theology, History, Church History, Africa, Nonfiction, College, Christian

384 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2007

Reviews

[Zack Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a look at the history of Christian expansion that doesn't breeze over colonialism. It's a bit harsh and biased at times, but oh so true and well written. It's amazing how well Christianity flourishes once it is stopped being forced at gunpoint.

[Wes F · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the progression of Christianity (of various stripes) in the past few 100 years, as it moved from being primarily a western (N. Hemisphere) religion to a more eastern (S. Hemisphere) religion. Good insights about indigeneity and the issues/problems with the past's overbearing mixture of colonialism & Christianity. Mostly focused on developments in Africa, but a good bit also on the recent growth of Christianity in China.

[Matthew Bartlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oddly organised dynamite, e.g.

'Well over 3000 of the world's languages are embraced by Christianity through Bible translation, prayer liturgy, hymns and literature. More than 90 per cent of these languages have a grammar and a dictionary at all only because the Western missionary movement provided them, thus pioneering arguably the largest, most diverse and most vigorous movement of cultural renewal in history.'

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for a course. Sanneh argues that European missions and a colonial mentality shaped churches on other continents, but hasn't defined them--their national, ethnic, and indigenous communities have shaped Christianity on the other continents and will lead them into the future.

I'm curious if Sanneh ever updated this book to reflect the world since he first wrote it.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lamin Sanneh tells the story of the growth of Christianity, focusing on the reception of the gospel by Africa. He makes many salient points: that Christianity is not beholden to any one culture, that Christianity is distinctive in translating its scriptures to each people's language, these scriptures then cause those new Christians to shape the faith in ways at home in their culture; that each time Christianity enters a new culture it changes by picking up some existing things in the culture and confronting others. Sanneh attacks the idea that all European missionaries were evil, but he also spends a lot of time on the evils that colonialism brought upon Africa. The final chapter on China's Christian growth is excellent.

I found this book to be a difficult read, it is clear that Sanneh is brilliant. Philip Jenkins has recently written three books on world Christianity; while Jenkins books are on the popular level this book is a step up the academic chain. So I would say to start with Jenkins and after that, move on to Sanneh.

[Matthew Blanton]

This is an amazing book. An heir apparent to Philip Jenkin's "The Next Christendom," Sanneh focuses mainly on Africa, migration, and how independent, indigenous communities of faith in the majority world are adapting the faith and making it the normative expression of Christianity. Sanneh uses the Jewish-Gentile conflict from Acts 15 to serve as a template with which to discuss the growth of Christianity around the world and its accompanying conflicts over cultural expressions and contextualization. Great place to start to learn about World Christianity and the West's ever shrinking dominance.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, the author explores Christianity in different parts of the world, concentrating on emerging trends in the developing world. The book is full of information that in many cases is not readily available elsewhere. However, the author uses a lot of academic theological terminology that might be difficult to understand at an introductory level.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read. Particularly the early chapters that describe the early conversion of Europe and then the final chapters describing the growth of the indigenous churches in Africa and China. The middle chapters were more of a struggle to wade through

[Matt Friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good overview