Whose Religion Is Christianity?: The Gospel Beyond the West

Many historians of religion now recognize that Christianity is a global faith whose most vibrant expression and growth are found today in the non-Western world. But no one explores this reality and its implications for modern life with the depth of learning and personal insight of Lamin Sanneh.

This book is unique in the literature of world Christianity, not least for its novel structure. Sanneh's engaging narrative takes the form of a self-interview in which he asks questions about the cross-cultural expansion of Christianity and provides insightful answers and meaningful predictions about the future. This technique also allows Sanneh to track developments in world Christianity even while giving attention to the responses and involvement of indigenous peoples around the world.

Sanneh's own background and lifelong involvement with non-Western cultures bring a richness of perspective not found in any other book on world Christianity. For example, Sanneh highlights what is distinctive about Christianity as a world religion, and he offers a timely comparison of Christianity with Islam's own missionary tradition. The book also gives pride of place to the recipients of the Christian message rather than to the missionaries themselves. Indeed, Sanneh argues here that the gospel is not owned by the West and that the future of the tradition lies in its world character.

Literate, relevant, and highly original, Whose Religion Is Christianity? presents a stimulating new outlook on faith and culture that will interest a wide range of readers.

Author: Lamin Sanneh
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company
Published: 10/09/2003
Pages: 138
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.39lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.28w x 0.41d
ISBN: 9780802821645


Award: Christianity Today Book Award - Award of Merit


Review Citation(s):
Christianity Today 10/01/2003 pg. 111

About the Author
Sanneh, Lamin: - Lamin Sanneh (1942-2019) was D. Willis James Professor of World Christianity at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut. His books include Disciples of All Nations: Pillars of World Christianity, Summoned from the Margin: Homecoming of an African, and Whose Religion Is Christianity?