The Encyclopedia of Christianity describes the Christian faith and community as it exists today in its myriad forms and in its relation to the core apostolic tradition throughout the 2000 years of Christian history. Based on the third, revised edition of the critically acclaimed German work Evangelisches Kirchenlexikon, this volume is sure to become a standard reference work for the study of Christianity past and present.
Comprehensive, up-to-date, reflecting the highest standards in scholarship yet intended for a wide range of readers, the Encyclopedia also looks outward beyond Christianity, considering other world religions and philosophies as it paints the overall religious and sociocultural picture in which the church finds itself.
Describing Christianity in its global context, the Encyclopedia is a fully international work, with articles written by scholars from many countries and cultural backgrounds. Separate articles for every continent and for over 170 countries present both the history and the current situation of the Christian faith in all its rich spiritual and theological diversity around the world.
Volume 1 (A-D) contains 465 articles featuring
- articles on all but the smallest countries of the world, including the former communist nations that have gained independence since 1989;
- the latest statistical information from David B. Barrett on the religious affiliation and ecclesiastical breakdown of each country and continent;
- articles on doctrines, denominations, and social and ethical issues in relation to the churches;
- biographical articles on prominent figures through church history.
