World Christianities: Transcontinental Connections

Abstract

ABSTRACT Reflecting on this special issue, this article relates the work of the Munich School to current scholarship in the study of world Christianity. Its approach reminds us to not only focus on recent developments and transformations such as the rise of Pentecostalism but also include the history of world Christianity from its early beginnings. Calling us to equally take into account the history of Christianity’s polycentricity, this approach encourages us to look for multidirectional transcontinental interactions and early instances of South–South links. Thus, following the Munich School we should not examine the history of world Christianity in separate geographic entities in isolation but continuously look for transregional and transcontinental interactions and forms of exchange. Taking this into account will contribute profoundly to the much-needed new maps of a future history of world Christianity.