John Philip Jenkins si è affermato come un commentatore di spicco in materia religiosa, passando dal suo focus iniziale sulla storia britannica moderna per esplorare una vasta gamma di questioni contemporanee. Il suo lavoro è caratterizzato da un'acuta intuizione sia nel passato che nel presente della religione, in particolare in un contesto globale. Jenkins è riconosciuto per il suo stile di scrittura incisivo, spesso descritto come chiaro e misurato, che consente ai lettori di confrontarsi profondamente con argomenti complessi. Attraverso una ricerca estensiva e la capacità di presentare informazioni intricate in modo accessibile, è diventato una voce di primo piano nello studio della religione.
This new and substantially expanded edition of Philip Jenkins's influential book The Next Christendom tracks the remarkable expansion of Christianity in the global South, in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and the implications of that shift in numbers and influence away from the traditional Christian heartlands of Europe and North America.
What does the future hold for European Christianity? Many predict its collapse under globalization, Western secularism, and a surge of Muslim immigrants, suggesting Europe may become "Eurabia." Philip Jenkins challenges these claims, offering a more nuanced view of Europe's religious landscape. He acknowledges existing tensions but argues that the narrative of a Muslim-dominated Europe is based on myths, such as the idea that Muslims are the sole new immigrants. In reality, Christians from Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe are also entering Western countries, infusing European Christianity with vibrant faith. Jenkins recognizes that both Christianity and Islam face significant challenges in a secular culture, yet rather than diminishing, both faiths are adapting. While church attendance may be declining, signs of enduring Christian loyalty persist, evidenced by the popularity of pilgrimages that attract millions—more than during past "ages of faith." Jenkins provides a hopeful perspective on the resilience and transformation of European Christianity amidst change.
Philip Jenkins beleuchtet den Wandel des Christentums, das sich von Europa nach Afrika, Asien und Lateinamerika verlagert. Er prognostiziert das Ende des westlich geprägten Christentums und beschreibt, wie neue Zentren der Christenheit in Städten wie Kinshasa und Buenos Aires entstehen. Eine umfassende Analyse der globalen Entwicklungen im Glauben.
Die vergessene Geschichte der größten Weltreligion
In this groundbreaking work, renowned scholar Philip Jenkins reveals a lost history, showing that for centuries, Christianity's center was in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, with communities extending to China. The book uncovers a vast network of influential Christian churches that thrived east of the Roman Empire, where their leaders played key roles in the Middle East and became prominent figures in the emerging Muslim empire. Jenkins recounts the shocking decline of these churches, which had the closest ties to Jesus and the early church. He challenges the prevailing view that alternative Christianities vanished in the fourth and fifth centuries due to a new hierarchy under Constantine that sought to eliminate unorthodox beliefs. Instead, Jenkins argues that the largest churches, often labeled as “heretics,” were the most influential Christian groups in Asia, maintaining their significance for an additional thousand years beyond their supposed extinction. This exploration provides a fresh perspective on contemporary issues in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Understanding this lost history is crucial for grasping our collective religious past and recognizing the surprising revitalizations of Christianity today, reaffirming its status as a true world religion.