The Rise Of Network Christianity

Author : Brad Christerson,Richard W. Flory
Publisher : Oxford University Press
Page : 201 pages
File Size : 46,5 Mb
Release : 2017
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9780190635671

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The Rise of Network Christianity by Brad Christerson,Richard W. Flory Pdf

Why, when traditionally organized religious groups are seeing declining membership and participation, are networks of independent churches growing so explosively? Drawing on in-depth interviews with leaders and participants, The Rise of Network Christianity explains the social forces behind the fastest-growing form of Christianity in the U.S., which Brad Christerson and Richard Flory have labeled "Independent Network Charismatic." This form of Christianity emphasizes aggressive engagement with the supernatural-including healing, direct prophecies from God, engaging in "spiritual warfare" against demonic spirits--and social transformation. Christerson and Flory argue that macro-level social changes since the 1970s, including globalization and the digital revolution, have given competitive advantages to religious groups organized as networks rather than traditionally organized congregations and denominations. Network forms of governance allow for experimentation with controversial supernatural practices, innovative finances and marketing, and a highly participatory, unorthodox, and experiential faith, which is attractive in today's unstable religious marketplace. Christerson and Flory hypothesize that as more religious groups imitate this type of governance, religious belief and practice will become more experimental, more orientated around practice than theology, more shaped by the individual religious "consumer," and authority will become more highly concentrated in the hands of individuals rather than institutions. Network Christianity, they argue, is the future of Christianity in America.

Author : Professor of Sociology Brad Christerson
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 128 pages
File Size : 47,7 Mb
Release : 2017-02-01
Category : Electronic
ISBN : 0190635703

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The Rise of Network Christianity by Professor of Sociology Brad Christerson Pdf

Author : Rodney Stark
Publisher : Princeton University Press
Page : 270 pages
File Size : 54,8 Mb
Release : 1996-06-02
Category : History
ISBN : 0691027498

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The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark Pdf

Rodney Stark, a sociologist by training, has written a book that should end much of the Christian-bashing occuring in academia. Stark demonstrates that Christianity became popular very quickly because it offered its adherents a better faith than competing religions and treated those believers better both physically and spiritually.

Author : Donald M. Lewis
Publisher : InterVarsity Press
Page : 284 pages
File Size : 44,8 Mb
Release : 2021-08-31
Category : History
ISBN : 9780830846986

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A Short History of Christian Zionism by Donald M. Lewis Pdf

Top World Guild Award Winner This book is about an idea—namely, that Scripture mandates a Jewish return to the historical region of Palestine—which in turn morphed into a political movement, rallied around a popular slogan ("A country without a nation for a nation without a country"), and eventually contributed to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. Christian Zionism continues to influence global politics, especially U.S. foreign policy, and has deeply affected Jewish–Christian and Muslim–Christian relations. Donald M. Lewis seeks to provide a fair-minded, longitudinal study of this dynamic yet controversial movement as he traces its lineage from biblical sources through the Reformation to various movements of today. He explores Christian Zionism's interaction with other movements, forces, and discourses, especially in eschatological and political thought, and why it is now flourishing beyond the English-speaking world. Throughout he demonstrates how it has helped British and American Protestants frame and shape their identity. A Short History of Christian Zionism seeks to bring clarity and context to often-heated discussions.

Author : Marius Nel
Publisher : Wipf and Stock Publishers
Page : 283 pages
File Size : 51,5 Mb
Release : 2020-06-15
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781725266643

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The Prosperity Gospel in Africa by Marius Nel Pdf

Africans' prevailing interest in the prosperity gospel is not only connected to the influence of American prosperity teachers reaching a worldwide audience through their imaginative use of the media, but is also related to the African worldview and African traditional religion, and its lasting influence on contemporary Africans and the way they think about prosperity, as well as their interest in prosperity in post-colonial Africa. The research from a classical Pentecostal perspective about the impact of the prosperity message on Africa is necessary, timely, and relevant because of its influence in the African Pentecostal movement and its potential to harm the faith of believers, leading to the potential disillusionment of Christian believers who put their trust (and money) in formulas and recipes that seemingly only work for others, especially the prosperity leaders who lead by example with incredulous riches and wealth.

Author : Terry Shoemaker,Rachel C. Schneider,Xochitl Alvizo
Publisher : Wipf and Stock Publishers
Page : 268 pages
File Size : 53,6 Mb
Release : 2022-03-01
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781725277465

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The Emerging Church, Millennials, and Religion: Volume 2 by Terry Shoemaker,Rachel C. Schneider,Xochitl Alvizo Pdf

Millennials and progressive Christians are continuing their work of creating alternative spaces for spiritual and religious expressions in North America. The practices and beliefs of progressive Christian movements like the emerging church and millennials, who tend toward spirituality over and against religion, have been the targets of much criticism. Yet millennials and progressive Christians continue to both curate spaces for self- and collective expression while also engaging within contexts often critical or hostile. This collection analyzes these movements from theological, religious-studies, and social-scientific perspectives to provide a more holistic view of what is taking shape in religious and spiritual trends, and it ventures to project what may lie ahead for the progressive Christianity that is emerging and enduring.

Author : Andrew Shenton,Joanna Smolko
Publisher : Rowman & Littlefield
Page : 373 pages
File Size : 46,5 Mb
Release : 2021-02-17
Category : Music
ISBN : 9781538148747

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Christian Sacred Music in the Americas by Andrew Shenton,Joanna Smolko Pdf

Christian Sacred Music in the Americas explores the richness of Christian musical traditions and reflects the distinctive critical perspectives of the Society for Christian Scholarship in Music. This volume, edited by Andrew Shenton and Joanna Smolko, is a follow-up to SCSM’s Exploring Christian Song and offers a cross-section of the most current and outstanding scholarship from an international array of writers. The essays survey a broad geographical area and demonstrate the enormous diversity of music-making and scholarship within that area. Contributors utilize interdisciplinary methodologies including media studies, cultural studies, theological studies, and different analytical and ethnographical approaches to music. While there are some studies that focus on a single country, musical figure, or region, this is the first collection to represent the vast range of sacred music in the Americas and the different approaches to studying them in context.

Author : Scott J. Hagley,Karen Rohrer,Michael Gehrling
Publisher : Wipf and Stock Publishers
Page : 154 pages
File Size : 49,6 Mb
Release : 2020-06-30
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781532687594

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Sustaining Grace by Scott J. Hagley,Karen Rohrer,Michael Gehrling Pdf

Sustaining Grace explores the dynamic between new faith communities and denominational systems through the lens of stewardship and sustainability. As a collection, these essays suggest that to facilitate ecologies for innovation in our current era, established congregations and new faith communities must model the sustaining grace of God to one another in creative ways. Thus, problems of sustainability are not for church planters to solve alone, but rather are related to the theologies of stewardship and the ecclesial system to which they belong. Issues of vision are not for denominational systems to theorize alone, but are given shape on their historic foundations in the creative and prophetic structures practiced in new faith communities. This book speaks to a central tension in the growing movement of church planting—the mutual need of and the mutual frustration between establishment leaders and innovators, conservators and risk takers. Standing at the contact point of that tension in one of the wealthiest mainline denominations, 1001 New Worshipping Communities and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary engage the question of faithful stewardship with voices reflecting and strategizing on each side of the tension, broadening the conversation to include those beyond the Presbyterian Church, and bringing both the academy and practitioners from church judicatories, church plants, and traditional church communities to offer a theologically grounded, practical, and generative conversation.

Author : Helen Collins
Publisher : Baker Books
Page : 205 pages
File Size : 48,7 Mb
Release : 2023-09-26
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781493442645

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Charismatic Christianity by Helen Collins Pdf

What is the essence of charismatic Christianity, a renewal movement that stresses the Holy Spirit's work, the church's use of spiritual gifts, and the significance of the supernatural? Helen Collins gives a novel summary explanation drawn from the spiritual gifts. Through Scripture and doctrinal reflection, she shows that charismatic spirituality is a coherent, reasonable, and rich tradition with much to offer. Collins demonstrates how practicing spiritual gifts embodies a distinctive theology, making these practices carriers of doctrine. Using the Acts 2 narrative, she summarizes seven key emphases and associated practices: expectancy (prophecy), enchantment (miracles), encounter (healing), expression (testimony), equality (tongues), empowerment (evangelism), and enjoyment (worship). The result is a fresh introduction that is biblical, theologically robust, and practical, helping charismatic students to learn more about themselves and others to understand the movement and what it has to contribute to global theological discussions.

Author : Dyron B. Daughrity
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Page : 256 pages
File Size : 40,5 Mb
Release : 2019-07-08
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781440863387

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The History of Christianity by Dyron B. Daughrity Pdf

Christianity has been accused of being misogynistic, pro-slavery, and anti-science, and some say it is finally beginning its long decline. This book provides an entirely different side to the stories about this faith. Why did Christianity become the largest religion in the world? Is it because it was misogynistic, pro-slavery, anti-science, and set on condemning those who didn't join it? This book investigates many of the misconceptions about Christianity and argues that there are good reasons this faith has become the world's largest. The book includes chapters on various misconceptions related to the history of Christianity, such as the beliefs that Jesus was a meek and mild carpenter, the Roman emperor Constantine was insincere in his Christian faith, medieval Europe was devoutly Christian, and Christianity was anti-science. Each chapter explores how the historical misconception developed and spread, and offers what we now believe to be the historical truth contradicting the fiction. Excerpts from primary source documents provide evidence for the historical misconceptions and truths and help readers to respond critically to claims about Christian history.

Author : Anonim
Publisher : BRILL
Page : 428 pages
File Size : 51,6 Mb
Release : 2019-02-26
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9789004391741

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The Spirit Is Moving: New Pathways in Pneumatology by Anonim Pdf

How does the Spirit of God relate to the Bible, to the Christ, to the human person, to the church and to the world? This volume probes these questions in light of the recent worldwide revival of pneumatological reflection and debate.

Author : Rodney Stark,Xiuhua Wang
Publisher : Templeton Press
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 42,7 Mb
Release : 2016-10-24
Category : Religion
ISBN : 1599475170

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A Star in the East by Rodney Stark,Xiuhua Wang Pdf

What is the state of Christianity in China? Some scholars say that China is invulnerable to religion. In contrast, others say that past efforts of missionaries have failed, writing off those converted as nothing more than “rice Christians” or cynical souls who had frequented the missions for the benefits they provided. Some wonder if the Cultural Revolution extinguished any chances of Christianity in China. Rodney Stark and Xiuhua Wang offer a different perspective, arguing that Christianity is alive, well, and on the rise. Stark approaches the topic from an extensive research background in Christianity and Chinese history, and Wang provides an inside look at Christianity and its place in her home country of China. Both authors cover the history of religion in China, disproving older theories concerning the number of Christians and the kinds of Christians that have emerged in the past 155 years. Stark and Wang claim that when just considering the visible Christians—those not part of underground churches—thousands of Chinese are still converted to Christianity daily, and forty new churches are opening each week. A Star in the East draws on two major national surveys to sketch a close-up of religion in China. A reliable estimate is that by 2007 there were approximately 60 million Christians in China. If the current growth rate were to hold until 2030, there would be more Christians in China—about 295 million—than in any other nation. This trend has significant implications, not just for China but for the greater world order. It is probable that Chinese Christianity will splinter into denominations, likely leading to the same political, social, and economic ramifications seen in the West today. Whether you’re new to studying Christianity in China or whether this has been your area of interest for years, A Star in the East provides a reliable, thought-provoking, and engaging account of the resilience of the Christian faith in China and the implications it has for the future.

Author : George D. Chryssides,Stephen E. Gregg
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing
Page : 359 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 2019-11-14
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781350043398

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The Bloomsbury Handbook to Studying Christians by George D. Chryssides,Stephen E. Gregg Pdf

Drawing on a range of methodologies, editors George D. Chryssides and Stephen E. Gregg shift attention from normative textual and doctrinal matters to issues of materiality and everyday life in Christianity. This handbook is structured in four parts, which include coverage of the following aspects of Christianity: sacred space and objects, cyber-Christianity, food, prayer, education, family life, fundamentalism and sexuality. In addition, issues of gender, race and ethnicity are treated throughout. The international team of contributors provide in-depth analysis that highlight the current state of academic study in the field and explores areas in which future research might develop. Clearly organised to help users quickly locate key information and analysis, the book includes an A to Z of key terms, extensive guides to further resources, a comprehensive bibliography and a chronology of landmark events, making it a unique resource to upper-level students and researchers.

Author : Heidi A. Campbell,Ruth Tsuria
Publisher : Routledge
Page : 295 pages
File Size : 55,6 Mb
Release : 2021-09-30
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781000435016

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Digital Religion by Heidi A. Campbell,Ruth Tsuria Pdf

This book offers a critical and systematic survey of the study of religion and digital media. It covers religious engagement with a wide range of digital media forms and highlights examples of new media engagement in all five of the major world religions. This unique volume draws together the work of experts from key disciplinary perspectives and is the go-to volume for students and scholars wanting to develop a deeper understanding of the subject area.

Author : Leif E. Vaage
Publisher : Wilfrid Laurier Univ. Press
Page : 344 pages
File Size : 49,8 Mb
Release : 2010-10-30
Category : Religion
ISBN : 9781554588091

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Religious Rivalries in the Early Roman Empire and the Rise of Christianity by Leif E. Vaage Pdf

Religious Rivalries in the Early Roman Empire and the Rise of Christianity discusses the diverse cultural destinies of early Christianity, early Judaism, and other ancient religious groups as a question of social rivalry. The book is divided into three main sections. The first section debates the degree to which the category of rivalry adequately names the issue(s) that must be addressed when comparing and contrasting the social “success” of different religious groups in antiquity. The second is a critical assessment of the common modern category of “mission” to describe the inner dynamic of such a process; it discusses the early Christian apostle Paul, the early Jewish historian Josephus, and ancient Mithraism. The third section of the book is devoted to “the rise of Christianity,” primarily in response to the similarly titled work of the American sociologist of religion Rodney Stark. While it is not clear that any of these groups imagined its own success necessarily entailing the elimination of others, it does seem that early Christianity had certain habits, both of speech and practice, which made it particularly apt to succeed (in) the Roman Empire.