The decline of established Christianity in the western world : interpretations and responses / edited by Paul Silas Peterson.

Format
Book
Language
English
Published/​Created
Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2018.
Description
xvi, 295 pages ; 24 cm.

Availability

Copies in the Library

Location Call Number Status Location Service Notes
Firestone Library - Stacks BR481 .D433 2018 Browse related items Request

    Details

    Subject(s)
    Editor
    Series
    Studies in world Christianity and interreligious relations [More in this series]
    Summary note
    While Church attendance in the West is often cited as being in decline, it is argued that this only applies to the older established forms of the Church. Other expressions of the faith are, in fact, stable or even growing. This volume provides multidisciplinary interpretations of and responses to one of the most complicated and controversial issues regarding the global transformation of Christianity today: the decline of "established Christianity" in the Western world. Drawing upon historical research, sociology, religious studies, philosophy and theology, an international panel of contributors provide new theoretical frameworks for understanding this decline and offer creative suggestions for responding to it. In addition, the place of established Christianity is set out as historically, culturally, socially and politically embedded religion (with or without official established status). This is a dynamic volume that gives fresh perspective on one of the great social changes to take place in the West over the last two centuries. As such, it will be of great interest to scholars of religious sociology, history and anthropology, as well as theologians.
    Bibliographic references
    Includes bibliographical references (pages 283-292) and index.
    Contents
    • Foreword / Robert J. Schreiter
    • Acknowledgements / Paul Silas Peterson
    • An introduction to the essays and to the phenomenon of established Christianity in the Western world / Paul Silas Peterson
    • Causes of the decline : historical, empirical and theoretical perspectives / Paul Silas Peterson
    • Analyzing religious decline : a sociological approach / Eva M. Hamberg
    • Cultural considerations in the decline of Christianity / Neil Ormerod
    • Interpretations of the decline and responses to it / Paul Silas Peterson
    • More than just de-Christianization : Christian mission in face of religious indifference in East Germany / Eberhard Tiefensee
    • Towards a faithful Christian community in Canada : a missiological response to religious change / Charles Fensham
    • American mainline Protestantism : on the history and future of a culture-forming confessional identity / Richard R. Crocker
    • An evangelical response to the decline of Christendom / Timothy Larsen
    • Going big : mega-churches in the midst of declining Christianity in the West / Laceye Warner
    • An opportunity to foster inter-Christian reciprocity : the view from "world Christianity" and "the next Christendom" / Jorge E. Castillo Guerra
    • Reframing our experiences in the light of the cross : how African Christianity sees the decline / Esther E. Acolatse
    • Taking sin seriously again : a perspective from theology and public life / Martyn Percy
    • The religion of decline : a perspective from the philosophy of religion / Olivier Abel
    • Christianity in the Western world after the decline : challenges, opportunities and outlooks / Paul Silas Peterson
    • Exploring the past for a stronger future : a reflection on meaning and hope / Elizabeth Koepping.
    ISBN
    • 9781138308152 (hardcover : alkaline paper)
    • 1138308153 (hardcover : alkaline paper)
    • 9780367891381 (paperback)
    • 0367891387 (paperback)
    LCCN
    2017028706
    OCLC
    992580478
    Statement on language in description
    Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...
    Other views
    Staff view

    Supplementary Information