The Future of Christianity in Asia

Abstract

This lengthy article begins with an introductory section sketching the immensity and the religious diversity of Asia and then summarizes briefly the long history of Christianity in that continent, a history that has seen both “failure” and “success.” Here, as throughout the essay, attention is paid primarily to those Asian countries that are among the most populous twenty-five nations of the world. The second part of the paper assesses Christianity in Asia at the present, describing the current situation in the western, southern, southeastern, and eastern areas of the world's largest continent. In the third section, the longest and most important part of this essay, the writer first suggests the possible future of Christianity in specific countries, grouping those that are predominantly Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist and then discussing Japan and China separately. Consideration is given next to four focal factors which will greatly affect the future growth of Christianity in Asia: the political situation, secularization, contextualization, and the ecumenical movement. The final subsection discusses issues regarding the quality of Christianity, the Kingdom of God, and the work of the Holy Spirit, three crucial concerns related to the future of Christianity in Asia, as elsewhere. The article ends with an expression of guarded optimism as the writer states his conviction that the Spirit is, indeed, expanding the Gospel of life, love, light, and liberty in Asia, as well as in the rest of the world.