This thorough, lucid, solidly researched book, the first of two volumes, charts the history of global Christianity.

This book is a multi-faceted collection of readings focused on the biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic dimensions of the task of world evangelization. The editors have pooled the contributions of over 70 authors to provide laymen and college students with an introduction to the history and potential of the World Christian Movement, a movement of men and women who have responded with courage and conviction to the challenges of this task. - Back cover.

This companion to "History of the World Christian Movement explores how varied and multi-cultural Christian origins and history really are.

History of the World Christian Movement shows that from the beginning Christianity has been a world religion, informed and shaped through the interplay of gospel and culture church and world.

Beginning with the missionary expansion of the 15th century, this story goes on to trace the fracturing of the Christian movement among Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant versions; the impact of modern colonialism and the emergence of a new global reality; the wars of religion, the impact of the Enlightenment, the rise of Christianity in North America, and the modern missionary movement.