** I think this is an important analysis of a global trend that will hve implications in every aspect of life in the near future. Phillip Jenkins details a looming clash between "northern" Christianity and the "southern" version which is growing at an incredibly fast pace.
This has implications beyond religion, because it attests to huge blocks of THOUGHT that are headed for conflict. This conflict is already seen in the apocalyptic terrorism of recent years, as characterized by military historian Ralph Peters in Beyond Terror and Paul Berman in Terror and Liberalism.
"Northern" Christianity is tightly associated with "Western" culture - which is in turn associated with modernity, democracy, the primacy of the individual and progress in general. "Southern" Christianity, by contrast, is growing in a reactionary context, with an intense drive to return the world to an earlier, simpler state.
Those in the West are hardly aware of these powerful movements, but Jenkins has laid it all out for peacemakers to see -- and do something about. Attached are my highlights from his book. The next Christendom - excerpts.doc
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