Europe and the Gospel: Past Influences, Current Developments, Mission Challenges

Hardcover, 319 pages, NOT ex-library. Limited signs of gentle wear, book is clean and bright throughout with unmarked text, free of inscriptions and stamps, firmly bound. Boards show small indentations to edges. Issued without a dust jacket. -- Combining human interest stories with thought provoking analyses, Dr Evert Van de Poll paints the socio-cultural and religious picture of this exceptional continent: its population and cultural variety; past and present idea of 'we Europeans'; immigration, multiculturalism and the issue of (Muslim) integration; the construction of the EU and the concerns it raises; and the quest for the 'soul' of Europe. Special attention is paid to Christian and other roots of Europe; the mixed historical record of Christianity; vestiges of its past dominance; its place and influence in today's societies that are rapidly de-Christianising; and secularization as a European phenomenon. The author indicates specific challenges for Church development, mission and social service. In so doing, he outlines the contours of a contextualised communication of the Gospel. -- Contents: Introduction: Ambiguity and Paradox; 1 Look at Europe (What's in a Name?; Population: Ageing and Changing; Global Influence; Implications for European Christians); 2 Cross Over Europe (Diversity; Religious Zones; A Socio-Cultural Cross; Old and New Divides in the East; How Does Evangelicalism Fit Into the Picture?); 3 The Idea of 'Europe' ('Europe' as a Christian Realm; Protestant 'Europe'; 'Europe' as Civilisation); 4 Contemporary Ideas of 'Europe' (Community of Values; Cultural Zone or Family of Cultures; House of Nations; 'Europe' as Part of 'the West'; 'We' Versus the 'others'); 5 The 'Construction of Europe' (Attempts to Unite Europe; The Time Was Ripe; Construction of Europe: First Stage; U-turn in the East; Construction of Europe: Second Phase; Emerging Red Line in the East; Objectives and Motto); 6 A Time to Remember, a Time to Build (Evangelical Views on European Unity; Remember the Moments of Grace; Ora et Labora); 7 National and European Identities (European Identity; National Identity and 'Nationalism'; Case of Europe; Complementary Identities; 'Europe' and 'the Other'; Biblical Perspective); 8 Mobility, Migration and Widening Horizons (Mobility and Migration; Migration; Widened Horizons and Reinforced Diversity; Opportunities for Christians); 9 Multiculturality and the Issue of Integration (External Immigration; Multicultural Society; Political Reactions; Challenges for Churches in Society); 10 Muslims in Europe: Facts and Fears (Facts; Muslim Presence Becomes an Issue; Fear for Violent Anti-Western Radicalism); 11 Concerns and Prospects: A Soul for Europe (Crisis and Setback; Concerns; Eurosceptics; What Next? Options for the Future; Give Europe a Soul); 12 Roots of European Cultures (Which Roots?; Mediating Role of Christianity; Jewish and Muslim Influences; Christian Roots. Presuppositions and Interests; Turn Roots Into Sources); 13 Heritage of European Christianity (Continued Existence of Churches and Communities; The Bible; Global Christianity; Foundational Values in Society; Cultural Heritage; Institutional Heritage; Christian Political Presence; Implications for Christians); 14 The Mixed Balance of History (Setting the Record Straight; Complicity with Injustice, Protests and Alternatives; Theological Interpretations of 'Europe'); 15 In What Ways is Europe Post-Christian? (Post-Christianised; Post-Constantinian (Christendom); Post-Religious (Secularised); Post-Modern; Post-Evangelised); 16 Barriers for the Gospel, Confidence in God (A Specific Context for the Communication of the Gospel; Barriers; Confidence); 17 How Christian is Europe Today? (Christians in a Secularized and Multi-religious Society; Marginal Church Membership; Believing and/​or Behaving Without Belonging; Vicarious and Default Religion; Europe Still Considered to be Christian; Post-secular?); Index of names and subjects; Bibliography.…