God's Global Mosaic: What We Can Learn from Christians Around the World

by Paul-Gordon Chandler, John Stott (Foreword)

God's people around the world form a mosaic. Each piece of the picture is different but contributes to a beautiful portrait of who God is and what he is doing among his creation. As you learn from these many cultural expressions of Christianity, your own faith will be made more complete. Drawing from scriptural illustrations, Paul-Gordon Chandler highlights cultural themes and tells inspirational stories from believers around the world. Ranging from the streets of Hong Kong to the shores of a village in Guatemala, these stories illuminate each region's culture and history. You'll be drawn into the mystery of God with Christians in Eastern Europe. You'll learn perseverance from fellow believers in the Middle East. Latin American churches exuberantly share joy in Christ. And brothers and sisters in Africa, Asia and India also open their hearts to help you understand God from their point of view. As you begin to see God through the eyes of other Christians, new windows of devotion, encouragement and growth open. And you will see God--a God who is as big as the whole world--as you have never seen him before.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian

142 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Dustin Tramel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subtitle alone will challenge your thinking: "What we can learn from Christians around the world." Many of us will not travel beyond our own countries. And sadly, many of us will not experience the different cultural expressions of Christianity that exist in our own cities. Different cultures and expressions of Christianity can challenge us to pay attention to truths we overlook. They can inspire us to new ways of thinking. God is at work in the lives of all His people and so we have much to learn from Christians across the world. I highly recommend this book as an inspiring introduction to God's global story. It will serve as another step deeper into humility - we have much to learn and can learn much from all kinds of people - especially those beyond our borders. "If you want to see God as you have never seen Him before, a God who is as big as the whole world, this book is for you." "Russian Christians delight in the mystery of God, in the thought that we cannot know everything. We in the West, however, are usually quite the opposite: we expect to understand the mysteries and seek to rid Christianity and God of the unknown." p.29 "If Abraham were alive today, he would be considered an Iraqi because he comes from Haran, a place not far from modern-day Basra, near the Iraq-Kuwait border." p.43 "In the West we do not use the words 'perseverance,' 'endurance,' or 'persistence' often in our Christian vocabulary." p.46 "Central to Hispanic Christians' existence is the perspective that life is God's gift and that it is our duty to celebrate it with others." p.69 As Christians: "No matter how well we speak the local language, we will always have an accent that gives away our identity - the fact that we are from another place." p.135

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much when I read it. Reading it also reinforced for me something God taught me while in Malawi, that each person, each culture offers a glimpse of God and we all need each other to get the full picture. I was disappointed though that the author doesn't include any indigenous perspectives, particularly the Native American church.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the global look at Christianity--the wide flavors and styles of those who follow Christ Jesus. It was, in some cases, an eye-opening look at how the faith of others can look very different from my own and yet be genuine. Shows how big and universal our God really is.

[Jennifer LCF · Rating 1 out of 5]

Deeply antisemitic. Dnf after chapter 2.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in a engaging manner, and full of useful information and insights to Christianity in different cultures around the world. Useful and enjoyable.

[Gabriel Jasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good outlook on the global brush strokes of the church. Good insight on what various regions of Christianity experience and how those experiences shape their view of Christ.