Voices of Christianity

A Global Introduction

Voices of Christianity invites readers to explore the key documents that shaped the history of Christianity over the course of 2,000 years. Using liturgy, poetry, sermons, and more, the book introduces readers to key concepts, figures, and developments in this major world religion. The story of Christianity unfolds in analyses and readings that reveal the struggles, events, and achievements that contributed to its beliefs and practices. Reflection questions and genre discussions help readers navigate the thought-worlds of Christians, past and present. Thoughtful explanations provide the historical and theological contexts of the documents and highlight the issues that were at stake in religious debates and conflicts. Voices of Christianity includes chapters that describe the Jewish roots of Jesus and Paul, present the theological decisions made by early Christians, and consider the various ways of being "religious" in the Middle Ages. Later chapters investigate the varieties of responses to the Reformations of the Sixteenth Century and address Christian reactions to the challenges of Enlightenment Rationalism. The last two chapters look closely at world Christianity in its global setting, focusing on missions, inculturation, ecumenism, and pluralism. Close attention is paid to Orthodox Christianity, along with Catholic and Protestant Christianity, while discussions of contemporary issues and movements—from Pentecostalism to the Emerging Church—make this a comprehensive and comprehensible text. More than a textbook and more than an anthology, Voices of Christianity combines the power of both pedagogical approaches to offer a coherent way to understand the vibrant history of the Christian religion.