The twentieth century saw changes as dramatic as any in Christian history. The Churches suffered serious losses, both through persecution and through secularization, in what had been for several centuries their European heartlands, but grew fast in Africa and parts of Asia. This volume provides a comprehensive history of Catholicism, Protestantism and the Independent Churches in all parts of the world in the century when Christianity truly became a global religion. Written by a powerful team of specialists from many different countries, the volume is broad in scope.

Review

"These are the final two volumes in a groundbreaking Cambridge series that presents Christianity not simply as a Middle Eastern/Western religion but as a worldwide phenomenon extending to India, East Asia, the Pacific Islands, and sub-Saharan Africa. [...] Both volumes, much like the series as a whole, are essential acquisitions not only for academic and seminary libraries but for large public libraries as well."
-Library Journal

"This book really is indispensable reading."
-Church Times (UK)

"The editors have recruited squadrons of experts, pulled their chapters into well integrated order, and themselves offered unusually useful summaries and conclusions. The treatment of traditional themes and historical Christian regions is superb, but even better is the innovative work on fresh subjects and new Christian areas of the globe."
-Mark A. Noll, The Christian Century

"While many books treat church history, even twentieth century church history. it is unlikely that any treat the subject with equal scope, depth and authority. Chapters are scholarly, yet eminently readable and accessible to general readers...analysis is consistently fair and unflinchingly honest. This excellent title belongs in academic and larger public libraries."
-American Reference Books Annual

"This volume in The Cambridge History of Christianity series offers a superb overview of major movements, events, and challenges that impacted Christian churches in the twentieth century...[Hugh McLeod] has assembled an outstanding group of scholars who address specific eras, denominations, or ecclesiastical issues in creative and insightful ways."
Bill J. Leonard, The Catholic Historical Review

"This volume offers a comprehensive history of Catholicism, Protestantism and Independent Christian Churches in the twentieth century...a valuable contribution to the faith-life of any Christian...Written by specialists from different cultural backgrounds, the scope of perspectives is broad and ecumenical. It offers a panoramic view of the growth of Christianity and the dynamics inherent in its development. This volume provides what has long been needed: a history of Christianity and the dynamics inherent in its development. This volume provides what has long been needed: a history of Christianity in the twentieth century that embraces all the strands of the Christian tradition...I highly recommend it."
Lucien J. Richard, Catholic Library World

"...inspires awe....enormous diversity of of excellent scholars....stands out from rivals by its sheer scale....provide an effective structure....identification and development of themes is thoroughly successful....deeply impressive..."
--Philip Jenkins

"This volume is an invaluable asset and is an obligatory purchase by all university libraries as well as individual scholars of modern Christianity, in spite of its substantial cost. Although it possesses the meticulous scholarship and exemplary writing one expects from this specific series and the Cambridge University Press in general, it is also strikingly original in approach and breadth. The footnotes and bibliography are also remarkable; most of the sources are from the last three decades and represent the most up-to-date research." --The Historian

Book Description

This is a comprehensive history of Catholicism, Protestantism and Independent Christian Churches in all parts of the world in the twentieth century. It charts the spectacular growth of Christianity in many parts of Africa and Asia, the transformation of Catholicism and the growth of Protestantism in Latin America, and the crisis of Christianity in the West. The volume covers key institutions and major new movements, describes the impact of war and political crisis and looks very broadly at the social and cultural impact of Christianity.