Suchergebnisse

This essay examines the development of the Evangelical Movement in Austria from 1945 to the present. The history of the Evangelical Movement can be divided into four phases: The beginnings (1945-1961), which can be characterized above all by missionary work among ethnic German refugees of the World War II, a second phase from 1961-1981, which can be described as an internationalization of the Evangelical Movement especially through the work of North American missionaries. During this time new ways of evangelism were sought and also church planting projects were started. A third phase is characterized by a growing confessionalization and institutionalization of the Evangelical Movement. While free church congregation were increasingly taking on denominational contours, the evangelical movement as a whole began to increasingly establish its own institutions. The last phase since 1998 is characterized by the Evangelical Movement breaking out of isolation towards social and political acceptance.

Combines empirical data and original analysis to offer a uniquely detailed account of Christianity in Western and Northern EuropeDedicates 18 chapters to Christianity in all of the countries of Western and Northern Europe, from the three large countries of Germany, France and the UK to the smaller territories of Liechtenstein, Monaco and the Faroe Islands, with attractive presentations of statistical and demographic informationLooks at each of the major denominations in turn, from Anglicans to Orthodox and from Protestants to Pentecostals Explores key themes as they relate to the region such as faith and culture, secularisation, theology, gender, inter-religious relations, diaspora churches and the European UnionWritten by local scholars with expertise in their fieldAlthough the origins of Christianity lie in the Near East, Europe and Christianity have an exceptional relationship, since most Europeans perceive Christianity as a Western – more precisely, as a European – religion. The region has seen rapid social change in the 21st century, set off by factors including energy crisis and environmental awareness, poverty and exclusion, falling birthrates and increased migration, changing attitudes to sexuality, gender and family life, and challenges to Europe's idea of itself and place in the global order. Amidst all this flux, this volume focuses on one particular issue: the rapidly changing profile of the Christian faith that has shaped the life of the European continent for a millennium and more.At a time when patterns of Christian life and worship appear to be dying out, yet traces of new life are also appearing, this volume maps out the current reality of Christianity in Western and Northern Europe with all its questions and uncertainties