ePub The New Shape of World Christianity: How American Experience Reflects Global Faith by Mark A. Noll in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. accessible; well written and thought-provokingBy CustomerIn The New Shape of World Christianity; historian of North American Christianity; Mark Noll; writes a book for his "fellow evangelicals;" in which he argues that due to the massive changes in the landscape of Christianity throughout the world during the last century; a new history is required. This is not; Noll insists; to discount previous histories; but to punctuate the importance of re-narrating Christian history in light of the recent movements and developments that have reverberated throughout the world in reshaping Christianity. In this way; Noll's book seeks to mediate between old and new histories of Christianity; while drawing points of connection between the American Christian experience and the recent transformations of world Christianity.In so doing; Noll argues that although American Christianity has been influential upon Christianity throughout the world; American Christianity is important for the world not because of direct influence; but because of "how Americans have come to practice Christian faith." To be clear: Noll is not denying America's influence on the various forms and expressions of Christianity in the world today. In fact; Noll suggests to ignore American Christianity's influence on the rest of the world would be "foolish." Instead; Noll simply believes that America's influence cannot provide the sole explanation for the reality that world Christianity increasingly reflects non-denominational; evangelical; and Pentecostal forms of Christianity. As support for this claim Noll highlights the role of local initiative and the local exercise of power and control in the development of Christianity in specific contexts. In other words; the notion of direct American influence on world Christianity obscures "local appropriation of Christianity by local agents for local reasons and in the context of local cultural realities."As an example; Noll examines the influence and impact of Campus Crusade's Jesus Film; which has been translated into 1;005 different languages as of mid-2007; in addition to being viewed by nearly six billion people in 229 countries; according to Noll's research. Noll describes the Jesus Film as offering an account of Christianity that emphasizes the importance of making "a personal choice for Jesus Christ; followed by a life of dedicated personal service guided by Christian norms and oriented toward Christian goals." So; while notes that the Jesus Film represents the genuine impact of American Christianity; he also suggests that the way in which the film is either accepted or disregarded demands local agency. Moreover; Noll suggests that not only do locals choose to observe the film; but that in several instances locals have also distributed the film of their own volition. In reflecting on this phenomenon; Noll argues that the Jesus Film does not simply highlight American influence or local agency and initiative as mutually exclusive interpretations of the situation. For Noll; the impact and popular reception of film is also illustrative of a particular kind of appeal that connects with the rapidly changing contemporary circumstances. As such; Noll argues that there is a connection between the film's appeal and the current social and cultural circumstances occurring in the non-Western world today.Thus; Noll wants to highlight his observation that the non-Western world is; in many ways; beginning to approximate the social conditions of 19th century America. That is; through "global economic forces;" many regions and locales outside of the West are developing characteristics that in a similar manner parallel the social context in which distinct expressions of American Christianity emerged. More specifically; the non-Western world through global processes is developing into places that are amenable to "social fluidity; personal choice; the need for innovation and a search for anchorage in the face of vanishing traditions;" Noll contends. As such; Noll believes that these non-Western societies are inclined "to be competitive and not deferential; open to Christian witness but not officially Christian; allowing space for entrepreneurial activity while not restricting religious expression too drastically. To the extent that these conditions have developed; it is not surprising that style of Christianity that flourished in North America's competitive; market-oriented; rapidly changing and initiative-rewarding environment would also flourish when other environments begin to look more like nineteenth-century America than fifteenth-century Europe." Thus; for Noll; American Christianity is most important for the world; because it provides the world with a form or template in similar social conditions. Therefore; Noll argues; "the way that Christianity developed in the American environment helps to explain the way Christianity is developing in many parts of the world."However; Noll cautions the reader: "correlation is not causation." Given the broad nature of Noll's argument (i.e.; how the American experience is reflected in Christianity throughout the world); Noll astutely develops a broad thesis and broad conclusions. In other words; Noll recognizes that it is one thing to build a strong case that demonstrates a strong correlation; but it is another thing to establish causation. In this way; Noll's thesis is well supported by the end of his book.Nevertheless; I have a few questions and working critiques of his book. First; much of Noll's thesis hinges on American Christianity being an "influence;" but not a "direct influence" on the rest of the world. Yet; Noll never articulates what he has in mind by "direct" influence as opposed to general influence. That is; what exactly would constitute as "direct influence;" according to Noll? Moreover; I wonder if there are certain regions or locations in which American Christianity appears to have direct influence and others simply indirect. Finally; I wish Noll had mentioned the importance of Rick Warren; who is arguably the most well known American Evangelical in world Christianity during the past few years.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Not what I expected.By heatherlea17I expected this to be a book about how the American experience shaped Christianity as a whole. Instead; it’s about evangelical missionaries. Disappointed.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The State of the FaithBy John KnappMark Noll; the long-engaged scholar/believer; is the single best person to describe the presence; or face; ofChristianity as it is practiced in the 21st century. Where the real action--not just frenzied emotion--of Christian faith actually is; who's doing what where; may come as a surprise to many who identify themselves as Christians. English wasn't around in the 1st century; and it's hardly the first language of active Christians today. A very readable "must read;" with just enough documentation. The centers of real Christian faith and practice have changed dramatically in the past one hundred years. If you've moaned and groaned about the losses of true Christianity outside (as well as inside) the doors of where you live; this book can bring you some refreshing understanding.