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Kingdom Without Borders: The Untold Story of Global Christianity
The twenty-first century has opened with a rapidly changing map of Christianity. While its influence is waning in some of its traditional Western strongholds, it is growing at a phenomenal pace in the global South. And yet this story has largely eluded the corporate news brokers of the West. Layered as it is with countless personal and corporate stories of remarkable faith and witness, it nevertheless lies ghostlike behind the newsprint and webpages of our print media, outside the camera's vision on the network evening news. Miriam Adeney has lived, traveled and ministered widely. She has walked with Christians in and from the far reaches of the globe. As she pulls back the veil on real Christians--their faith, their hardships, their triumphs and, yes, their failures--an inspiring and challenging story of a kingdom that knows no borders takes shape. This is a book that coaxes us out of our comfortable lives. It beckons us to expand our vision and experience of the possibilities and promise of a faith that continues to shape lives, communities and nations.
295 pages, Paperback
First published November 18, 2009
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August 4, 2015
Summary: Adeney, a professor of global and urban ministries, chronicles the global spread of Christianity through stories of sacrificial and courageous Christians in the Majority World.
Philip Jenkins has studied the spread of Christianity in the southern hemisphere and majority world. For many this is a study of statistics and demographics. Miriam Adeney tells a similar story, not so much through demographics as through people, some deeply spiritual, some taking great risks, and some suffering great loss, and achieving great glory and the spread of the gospel.
In her first chapter, on the spread of global Christianity, she observes:
"...the future global church may not be Western-led, and that's OK. Let the mantle pass. We in the West can learn to follow, can't we?" (p. 40).
The remainder of the book is the story of some of those who we may follow, or at least learn to work with in humble partnership.
She begins with the rapidly growing church in China, and the persecution that has and still occurs and the courageous witness of house church leaders and rural pastors. She then alternates chapters on peoples or even continents with themes like "Word" focusing on Ann Judson's pioneering Bible translation efforts and the continuing importance of this work. She turns to pentecostal Latin America, and then the spirituality of Sadhu Sundar Singh. She turns to the Muslim world, and particularly Iran where there may be as many as 800,000 Christians facing everything from losing their jobs to losing their lives.
She explores the catastrophe of global poverty, the mistakes often made in development efforts and the creative programs that are fostering sustainable development in various parts of the world, particularly uplifting women. Then she tells the stories of Christian mission in the Hindu world and the challenge of contextualizing the gospel without compromising it in this context. She considers "song" and the necessity of music in the heart languages and musical idioms of majority cultures.
She explores African Christians who "go through fire", facing the challenge of Islam in some countries, the challenge of prosperity gospels in others. Her concluding two chapters center around the death and resurrection life of Jesus--the real thread of persecution and suffering and death that runs through many of these narratives, and the vision toward which the church lives of the new heaven and new earth where the nations are gathering into "the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ."
This book is less a tight intellectual argument and more an exuberant travelogue around the theme of the growth of global Christianity. It is not a book of strategy but of stories that challenge, inspire, and exemplify vibrant Christian faith. In particular, it can serve to lift the eyes of westerners caught up in our intramural controversies and cultural captivities to see the moving of the Spirit of God and the faithfulness of Christians. Hopefully this book might awaken us to what God is doing beyond our own borders (and how silly we must look to some of our brothers and sisters). And that would be a good thing.
Philip Jenkins has studied the spread of Christianity in the southern hemisphere and majority world. For many this is a study of statistics and demographics. Miriam Adeney tells a similar story, not so much through demographics as through people, some deeply spiritual, some taking great risks, and some suffering great loss, and achieving great glory and the spread of the gospel.
In her first chapter, on the spread of global Christianity, she observes:
"...the future global church may not be Western-led, and that's OK. Let the mantle pass. We in the West can learn to follow, can't we?" (p. 40).
The remainder of the book is the story of some of those who we may follow, or at least learn to work with in humble partnership.
She begins with the rapidly growing church in China, and the persecution that has and still occurs and the courageous witness of house church leaders and rural pastors. She then alternates chapters on peoples or even continents with themes like "Word" focusing on Ann Judson's pioneering Bible translation efforts and the continuing importance of this work. She turns to pentecostal Latin America, and then the spirituality of Sadhu Sundar Singh. She turns to the Muslim world, and particularly Iran where there may be as many as 800,000 Christians facing everything from losing their jobs to losing their lives.
She explores the catastrophe of global poverty, the mistakes often made in development efforts and the creative programs that are fostering sustainable development in various parts of the world, particularly uplifting women. Then she tells the stories of Christian mission in the Hindu world and the challenge of contextualizing the gospel without compromising it in this context. She considers "song" and the necessity of music in the heart languages and musical idioms of majority cultures.
She explores African Christians who "go through fire", facing the challenge of Islam in some countries, the challenge of prosperity gospels in others. Her concluding two chapters center around the death and resurrection life of Jesus--the real thread of persecution and suffering and death that runs through many of these narratives, and the vision toward which the church lives of the new heaven and new earth where the nations are gathering into "the kingdom of the Lord and of his Christ."
This book is less a tight intellectual argument and more an exuberant travelogue around the theme of the growth of global Christianity. It is not a book of strategy but of stories that challenge, inspire, and exemplify vibrant Christian faith. In particular, it can serve to lift the eyes of westerners caught up in our intramural controversies and cultural captivities to see the moving of the Spirit of God and the faithfulness of Christians. Hopefully this book might awaken us to what God is doing beyond our own borders (and how silly we must look to some of our brothers and sisters). And that would be a good thing.
March 5, 2017
Dr. Miriam Adeney is a Professor of Global and Urban Ministries at my alma mater, Seattle Pacific University. She also teaches at Regent College in Canada. I've never taken a class from her or even heard her speak, but when a free copy of one of her books landed in my hands, I thought I would give it a try.
In Kingdom Without Borders, Adeney attempts to give us a snapshot of global Christianity. As has been well documented elsewhere, the balance in the Christian church has shifted. There are now more Christians in the global South than there are in the global North. Adeney does not want to give us facts and figures, or even discuss what this shift means for the theology or polity of the church. Rather, she hopes to give her (mostly Western) readers a sense of what global Christianity actually looks like. How do believers in Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East actually worship? What do they believe? What challenges do they face? What differs between them and US or European Christians?
Adeney accomplishes this task primarily by telling stories. As an anthropologist and theologian, she has traveled extensively, interviewing people and collecting oral histories of the Christian church in many corners of the world, from the Philippines to Iran. She divides her book into sections on specific regions of the world (e.g. China, Latin America), interspersed with sections on particular themes (e.g. the use of language or song, theologies of suffering and persecution, attitudes toward the Holy Spirit, etc.) It's a bit of an odd structure in that she bounces back and forth between these two types of chapters, yet somehow it winds up working all right.
Much of what Adeney describes here was not entirely unknown to me. As someone who grew up listening to missionaries, has met Christians from around the world and speaks to international students on a weekly basis myself, I have a broad understanding of some of the macro-level cultural differences that occur. Nonetheless, Adeney's stories personalize things. One cannot help feeling more connected to the international body of Christ after reading these tales.
Some of the stories are uplifting, others horrifying and some encompass a wide range of emotions. If you're a Christian in the US and have given little thought to the millions of Christians elsewhere in the world, this book is a good starting place for looking at a broader portrait of the faith and its adherents.
In Kingdom Without Borders, Adeney attempts to give us a snapshot of global Christianity. As has been well documented elsewhere, the balance in the Christian church has shifted. There are now more Christians in the global South than there are in the global North. Adeney does not want to give us facts and figures, or even discuss what this shift means for the theology or polity of the church. Rather, she hopes to give her (mostly Western) readers a sense of what global Christianity actually looks like. How do believers in Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East actually worship? What do they believe? What challenges do they face? What differs between them and US or European Christians?
Adeney accomplishes this task primarily by telling stories. As an anthropologist and theologian, she has traveled extensively, interviewing people and collecting oral histories of the Christian church in many corners of the world, from the Philippines to Iran. She divides her book into sections on specific regions of the world (e.g. China, Latin America), interspersed with sections on particular themes (e.g. the use of language or song, theologies of suffering and persecution, attitudes toward the Holy Spirit, etc.) It's a bit of an odd structure in that she bounces back and forth between these two types of chapters, yet somehow it winds up working all right.
Much of what Adeney describes here was not entirely unknown to me. As someone who grew up listening to missionaries, has met Christians from around the world and speaks to international students on a weekly basis myself, I have a broad understanding of some of the macro-level cultural differences that occur. Nonetheless, Adeney's stories personalize things. One cannot help feeling more connected to the international body of Christ after reading these tales.
Some of the stories are uplifting, others horrifying and some encompass a wide range of emotions. If you're a Christian in the US and have given little thought to the millions of Christians elsewhere in the world, this book is a good starting place for looking at a broader portrait of the faith and its adherents.
April 7, 2014
Through her plentiful travel, Adeney has collected a dazzling wealth of stories on how God's Kingdom is moving forward globally. These stories brought me to tears. Some made me angry. Others were deeply encouraging and inspired worship.
Of course, this work is more than anecdotes. The author demonstrates a high level of understanding of global economics and complex factors that contribute to systemic injustices (not that I'm really qualified to lay my stamp of approval . She also communicates how national and global political, sociological, and religious trends are impacting the church in different parts of the world.
This book is really a beautiful marriage of story and "stats" which contribute to a richer sort of learning about God's borderless kingdom.
Of course, this work is more than anecdotes. The author demonstrates a high level of understanding of global economics and complex factors that contribute to systemic injustices (not that I'm really qualified to lay my stamp of approval . She also communicates how national and global political, sociological, and religious trends are impacting the church in different parts of the world.
This book is really a beautiful marriage of story and "stats" which contribute to a richer sort of learning about God's borderless kingdom.
August 22, 2012
This is an absolute cracking book and one that everyone interested in the development of the Church around the world must read. It isn’t a book about statistics, graphs and projections; it is simply a book of stories. Sometimes books of this sort can be a little disjointed with little to link the different narratives that go to make up the book. In this case, the author has done a great job of making the stories flow into chapters each of which revolves around a single theme. Sometimes the themes are geographical, sometimes the are more abstract, but it seems to work well.
http://www.kouya.net/?p=2961
http://www.kouya.net/?p=2961
April 12, 2021
This is a boundary-crossing book that is meant to show Americans what Christians around the world are doing. Since Americans tend to live in a bubble of relative comfort, we often miss what is going on in other countries, even within Christianity, and assume our own experience is universal. In this book, Adeney interweaves personal stories with discussion of larger trends and theological issues to tell a more complete, zoomed-in story of the global church. She covers stories of Chinese, Latin American, Buddhist, Muslim, Indian, and other indigenous Christians while also discussing the theological implications and impacts of the Word, the Holy Spirit, and the gospel message across the world.
August 5, 2011
Much better book than I anticipated. The author doesn't just list facts but tells the story of Global Christianity through...well...stories. Each chapter is dedicated to a different region of the world. She goes into what the church is doing and how it is spreading and the obstacles it is facing...both external obstacles and just as important internal ones.
July 5, 2017
I enjoyed this book. It felt a little long towards this end, and parts felt a little disjointed, but all in all Adeney painted a rich and beautiful picture of God's work in the world. It was both informative and inspiring, helping me to connect with the ways God is moving that I do not get to see or hear about. Very well done.
October 26, 2014
a revealing overview of many Christian communities throughout the globe, including persecution, Scripture translation, innovative outreaches, and new people movements. informed my prayer life and worldview.
July 17, 2014
Inspiring stories from people in corners of the world often neglected by American Christians. A tribute to the work of the Spirit.
January 24, 2014
Love broadening your worldview? This book will do it! Loved it!
May 24, 2018
This book had some powerful stories about the global church. Not super cohesive in flow, but powerful stories.
Read
September 16, 2019feels a little scattered but o such stories!! expect to tear unless u have a heart of stone
March 31, 2010
I was given this book to review for the church librarian newsletter. She is a professor of global & urban ministries at Seattle Pacific. The witness of Christians around the world in very tough, unfriendly countries and how much they have to endure for their faith was amazing.
There didn't seem to be anything to distinguish one chapter from the other, other then location. She could have made it stronger I felt. Total review with be on Amazon.
There didn't seem to be anything to distinguish one chapter from the other, other then location. She could have made it stronger I felt. Total review with be on Amazon.
November 10, 2011
The only chapter I really cared for was chapter two on the persecution going on with Christian's in China . It's not that it was poorly written but I am very picky when it comes to collective writings . Besides , I prefer more details when it comes to humans and their situations . But I'd recommend it for people who want to know whats going on with their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ . It can be eye opening if you know nothing of the persecution going on .
March 31, 2012
This well-intentioned book seeks to tell the story of Christians living around the world. The author has some good stories, but her style isn't that great. She keeps jumping from one topic to another with no good transition. It is good as a series of vignettes, but not so much as a coherent story.
August 7, 2013
Part travelogue, part missionary handbook of best practices, part person experience of Adeney’s travel and teaching in primarily Hindu and Muslim countries. With the insight of an anthropologist and the faith of a global Christian, Adeney's Kingdom Without Borders is a must read for anyone traveling (or thinks they shouldn't travel) and trying to be a global Christian.
February 12, 2017
Beautiful! It was fun to read about how God is at work around the world.
I also really enjoyed reading about all the many different ways one can be a missionary. It is not just going to the village and planting churches. There is so many options if one wants to be a missionary. Very encouraging!
I also really enjoyed reading about all the many different ways one can be a missionary. It is not just going to the village and planting churches. There is so many options if one wants to be a missionary. Very encouraging!
June 1, 2012
There are some beautiful stories of martyrs as well as different ways to offer the Christian faith so that it blends into a local culture. I didn't get the flow of the book - not her chronological experiences; not really thematic, so to me it was choppy.
February 25, 2016
This survey of Christianity beyond the West serves to expand the reader’s view and expectation of God.
Read the rest of my review here!
Read the rest of my review here!
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March 23, 2010my world is a lot bigger than what i thought big was...
July 19, 2010
Amazing, inspirational stories but not terribly fond of the writing style.
December 28, 2012
A study and info guide on short and long term missions.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews