The World's Christians: Who they are, Where they are, and How they got there

Written by an award-winning author, this well-organized and comprehensive introduction to global Christianity illuminates the many ways the world's Christians live their faith today.

• Covers the entire globe: Africa, Asia, and Latin America as well as Europe, North America, and the Pacific
• Provides impartial, in-depth descriptions of the world's four major Christian traditions: Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Pentecostal/Charismatic
• Utilizes the best available sources to produce an up-to-date profile of demographic trends in the Christian population
• Blends history, sociology, anthropology, and theology to create a rich, multi-layered analysis of the world Christian movement  
• Features clear maps and 4-color illustrations throughout the volume  

"An outstanding work of scholarship. This balanced and comprehensive overview of global Christian realities is the single best introduction to world Christianity that I have ever read."
—Dale T. Irvin, President and Professor of World Christianity, New York Theological Seminary

"At a time when readers are looking for a good basic book on Christianity as a world religion, Douglas Jacobsen offers something even better: a global survey of who and where the Christians are, and a brief history as well. Students and casual readers alike will come away with their questions answered, and those who want to learn more will find many good suggestions about what to read next. This is a valuable book, well worth getting--and keeping."
—Joel Carpenter, Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity, Calvin College

"Douglas Jacobsen has written a remarkably thoughtful, insightful, lively and near-comprehensive account of the sprawling, vivid, internally plural and wildly complex phenomenon of world Christianity. For students of politics, culture, development and conflict—for anyone interested in the evolution and prospects of the hundreds of Christian - influenced or inflected societies around the world—The World's Christians is indispensable."
—R. Scott Appleby, Professor of History, University of Notre Dame