Our Global Families: Christians Embracing Common Identity in a Changing World

by Todd M. Johnson, Cindy M. Wu

As Christians, we belong to not only a diverse global Christian family but also a diverse human family. Todd Johnson, a noted expert on global Christianity and world missions trends, and Cindy Wu show how divisions within these families work against our desire to bring about positive change in the world. They provide an overview of global Christian identity, exploring how we can be faithful to our own tradition while engaging Christians across denominations and be better informed as we work with people of other religions. The book utilizes the latest research data on global Christianity and world religions and includes tables, graphs, charts, and end-of-chapter discussion questions.

Genres: Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Todd M. Johnson (PhD, William Carey International University) is director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity and associate professor of global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Claire Wrobel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty educational, but I wasn’t especially moved by it. I liked how the authors used lots of statistics and individual stories, but the message and intent seemed to putter out towards the end. I’m not sure if I “liked” it or not, if I’m glad I read it. I think there are better books to recommend.

[John R DeValve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agreed with a lot of this book. We must be more global minded both as Christians and as world citizens. There were parts that I questioned, but it really made me think.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read on Christians engaging our global families

This book has helped me to understand how to view Christians who are different from me as well as people of other faiths. We have the responsibilty to act as neighbors in every situation, not just the moments we want to be called to. Thank you Todd & Cindy for giving me hope!

[Alistair Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todd Johnson and Cindy Wu have written an engaging and informative account of the current shape of ‘World Christianity’, set in the wider context of all humanity. This book will help readers to understand and engage with Christianity in all its diversity in the 21st century.

[Kathleen Moy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Johnson is a professor of mine so it’s impossible for me to review this book objectively. While cowritten, in many ways this book captures what I understand to be his view of how the Christian world moves forward: accept the global shift in terms of where the faith has spread, seek similarities before differences, and work hard to collaborate together in light of the diversity. The chapter “solidarity with christians” would be a good starting place for anyone who wants to understand his view. I thought the book was effective in terms of an introduction to global Christianity, but more can be done in terms of vision casting for the beauty, implications, biblical basis, and complexity of this global faith.