Christianity in Western and Northern Europe

by Kenneth R. Ross (Editor), Annemarie C Mayer (Editor), Todd M. Johnson (Editor)

Overview

Although the origins of Christianity lie in the Near East, Europe and Christianity have an exceptional relationship, since most Europeans perceive Christianity as a Western – more precisely, as a European – religion. The region has seen rapid social change in the 21st century, set off by factors including energy crisis and environmental awareness, poverty and exclusion, falling birthrates and increased migration, changing attitudes to sexuality, gender and family life, and challenges to Europe’s idea of itself and place in the global order. Amidst all this flux, this volume focuses on one particular issue: the rapidly changing profile of the Christian faith that has shaped the life of the European continent for a millennium and more.
At a time when patterns of Christian life and worship appear to be dying out, yet traces of new life are also appearing, this volume maps out the current reality of Christianity in Western and Northern Europe with all its questions and uncertainties.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781399528160
Publisher:	Edinburgh University Press
Publication date:	04/30/2024
Series:	Edinburgh Companions to Global Christianity
Pages:	552
Product dimensions:	7.44(w) x 9.69(h) x (d)

About the Author

Kenneth R. Ross is Professor of Theology and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Zomba Theological Universityin Malawi and Extraordinary Professor at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. His most recent monograph is Mission, Race and Colonialism in Malawi: Alexander Hetherwick of Blantyre (Edinburgh UniversityPress, 2023).

Annemarie C. Mayer is Professor of Dogmatic Theology and the History of Dogma at the Theological Faculty of Trier, Germany. From 2013 to 2021 she held the Chair of Theology, Religion and Contemporary Culture at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies of the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. From 2011 to 2013 she was the Catholic consultant to the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland.

Todd M. Johnson is the Eva B. and Paul E. Toms Distinguished Professor of Mission and Global Christianity and Co-Director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA. He is also visiting Research Fellow at Boston University's Institute for Culture, Religion and World Affairs.

Table of Contents

Series PrefaceVolume PrefaceContributors

Introduction

A Demographic Profile of Christianity in Western and Northern EuropeGina A. Zurlo

Christianity in Western and Northern EuropeAnnemarie C. Mayer

Countries

IcelandSólveig Anna Bóasdóttir

IrelandGabriel Flynn

Britain, Channel Islands and Isle of ManAndrew Chandler

Belgium and LuxembourgJan de Volder

NetherlandsKarim Schelkens and Joep van Gennip

France and MonacoCharles Mercier

GermanyFriederike Nüssel

AustriaRegina Polak

Switzerland and LiechtensteinSarah Scholl

NorwayJoar Haga

Denmark and the Faroe IslandsJonas Adelin Jørgensen

SwedenJohannes Habib Zeiler

FinlandMinna Hietamäki and Pekka Metso

EstoniaPriit Rohtmets

LatviaDace Balode

LithuaniaNerijus Pipiras

Major Christian Traditions

AnglicansJeremy Morris

IndependentsIsrael Oluwole Olofinjana

OrthodoxChristine Chaillot

ProtestantsEva Christina Nilsson

CatholicsWolfgang Thönissen

EvangelicalsThomas Schirrmacher and Frank Hinkelmann

Pentecostals/CharismaticsMartina Björkander

Key Themes

Faith and CultureMika Vähäkangas

Worship and SpiritualityHanne Lamparter and Dagmar Heller

TheologyDorothea Sattler

Social and Political ContextKeith W. Clements

Mission and EvangelismStefan Paas

GenderMa. Adeinev Reyes-Espiritu and Annemie Dillen

Religious FreedomDennis Petri

Inter-religious RelationsAnja Middelbeck-Varwick

SecularisationJocelyne Cesari

Diaspora ChurchesMor Polycarpus A. Aydin

The European UnionAikaterini Pekridou

Conclusion

The Future of Christianity in Western and Northern EuropeJayne Svenungsson

Appendices

Christianity by Country

Methodology and Sources of Christian and Religious Affiliation Todd M. Johnson and Gina A. Zurlo

Index

Editorial Reviews

This volume offers an up-to-date and fascinating overview of the changing nature of Christianity, as a lived and institutional community, in contemporary Europe. Written in an accessible style by scholars and policy practitioners based in the countries under consideration, it advances in-depth knowledge and unique insights into the past, present and future of Christianity in Europe.

Lucian N. Leustean

This volume offers comprehensive coverage of home-grown institutions and global movements in Europe. With the series’ hallmark attention to good scholarship from those who have a personal and professional interest in their subjects, this is an invaluable reference book for students of theology, religious studies and sociology.

Emma Wild-Wood