Inexplicable: How Christianity Spread to the Ends of the Earth

by Jerry Pattengale Ph.D.

Overview

The name of Jesus and his teachings captured peoples hearts and minds throughout much of the world long before Christianity was legal. Long before armies and governments protected or supported it, and then long after Emperor Constantines reign as many leaders misused it for their own gains or religious views. Christianity also survived brutal persecutions during many centuries, including the present. Its growth seems inexplicable.
While there are innumerable possible explanations for this, in the final analysis there are relatively few viable answers. One leading contender is that there really is something to the mystical power of the Holy Spirit, and the life-changing message of Jesus recorded in the New Testament. Another is, at the least billions of people have held passionate beliefs in Jesuss miraculous powers over life and death, and his eternal promises. The Pew Research Centers recent work supports the claim that Christianity is the only religion in the world with a major presence on every continent.
Inexplicable traces this remarkable spread of Jesuss followers, including many of the heroic actions from those believing in his deity, and those horrific actions of those misusing his teachings. The Gospels journey is ongoing, and its story remains an engaging one. From Coptic monasteries and the Roman Colosseum to a small church in Franklin, Tennessee or mega churches in Laos or Seoul, its a rich narrative. Whether standing in the Sistine Chapel, looking at a Nestorian stone in China, or a Christian school in Kigali, this narrative continues and here we provide its historic context.
 
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647730277
Publisher:	Trilogy Christian Publishing
Publication date:	01/20/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	282
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Jerry Pattengale, PhD, author or editor of more than thirty books, was one of the two founding scholars of the Museum of the Bible (DC), and resources he developed used and/viewed by millions in various countries. He holds various distinguished and board appointments, various awards, and Indiana Wesleyan University named him its first University Professor. He has contributed to venues like Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, History Channel, Christianity Today, RNS, Chicago Tribune, and InsideHigherEd. His most recent books include The State of the Evangelical Mind (IVP) and Is the Bible at Fault? How the Bible Has Been Misused to Justify Evil, Suffering, and Bizarre Behavior (Hachette). Forthcoming is The New Book of Christian Martyrs (Tyndale House), and Public Intellectuals and the Common Good (IVP). He graduated from high school at 16 and homeless, a story featured in the PBS/WIPB special, Leading the Way out of Poverty. His mantra in his purpose-guided books reflects this journey, “The dream needs to be stronger than the struggle.”

Table of Contents

Introduction 12

Chapter 1 The Beginnings: The Middle East and North Africa 17

Chapter 2 Big Crises and Bigger Changes: Europe 53

Chapter 3 Christian Conquistadores: Latin America 91

Chapter 4 Great Awakenings and New Voices: North America 127

Chapter 5 The Far East and Far Reaches: Asia 165

Chapter 6 Convicts, Converts, and Full Circle: Australia, the Islands, Antarctica, and Sub-Saharan Africa 205

Conclusion 244

Endnotes 246

Attributions 276