The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Contemporary Christianity in the United States

by Mark A. Lamport (Editor)

Overview

The Handbook of Contemporary Christianity in the United States is a one-volume examination of Christianity in its role, contributions, and embattled engagements with the contemporary culture of the postmodern United States. While Christianity has been a sustaining force and dominant storyline of the historical foundations of America, obvious social, political, and scientific inroads have lessened its influence and altered the issues considered. The handbook explores the strengths and weaknesses of the Christian faith and traditions in the United States and its rich and textured history with a discernable eye toward how the message, strategies, and initiatives of Christianity has adapted to contemporary American life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538196434
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/01/2024
Series:	The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook Series
Pages:	584
Product dimensions:	6.95(w) x 9.94(h) x 1.15(d)

About the Author

Mark A. Lamport is professor at graduate theological schools in Colorado, Arizona, Virginia, Indiana, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Portugal. He is coeditor with George Thomas Kurian of Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South, Encyclopedia of Christianity in the United States (“Notable Book of 2016” by Christianity Today) and Encyclopedia of Christian Education (winner, Booklist Editors’ Choice: Adult Books); coeditor with Mitri Raheb of The Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Christianity in the Middle East; and editor of Encyclopedia of Martin Luther and the Reformation.

Table of Contents

Preface – Mark A. Lamport

About the Editor and Editorial Advisory Board

Introduction – Emily S. Clark, Gonzaga University)

Snapshot: “Four Centuries of Christianity in the United States” — Jill Gill, Boise State University

Section 1:

Enduring Legacies In Historical Context

1. The Changing Role of Christianity in American Life– Elizabeth Drescher, Santa Clara University

2. Christian America, Manifest Destiny, and other Comforting Myths – Sarah Koenig, Ramapo College of New Jersey

3. Mainline Protestantism and the Rise and Fall of Denominationalism – Steve Ellingson, Hamilton College

4. Christian Nationalism and a Place in the Public Square – Andrew L. Whitehead, Clemson University

5. Influence of Religious Unbelief on Contemporary Christianity – Christel J. Manning, Sacred Heart University

6. The Sociological Phenomenon of Contemporary Megachurches– James K. Wellman, University of Washington

7. Economic Systems, Prosperity, and Contemporary Christianity – Amber Thomas Reynolds, Elmhurst College

8. Legal Skirmishes and Religious Freedom in Contemporary Christianity – Brantley Gasaway, Bucknell University

9. The American Presidency and Contemporary Christianity – Jeremy L. Sabella, Dartmouth College

10. Divergent Interpretation: The Conflicting Hermeneutics of Contemporary Christianity – Andrew R. Polk, Middle Tennessee State University

Section 2:

Changing Landscapes in Cultural Context

11. Secularizing Culture: The Strange Brew of Contemporary Christianity – James K. Wellman, University of Washington

12. Affective Piety: Feeling Faith in Contemporary Christianity – Kate J. Stockly, Boston University and the Center for Mind and Culture

13. Social Fragmentation: Alienation and Rejection in Contemporary Christianity — Sonia E. Waters, Princeton Theological Seminary

14. Immigration Influx: The Remaking of Contemporary Christianity – Johanna Richlin, University of Oregon

15. Millennial Clout: Generational Stylings of Contemporary Christianity — Steven Argue, Fuller Theological Seminary

16. Digital Church: Virtual Faith of Contemporary Christianity – Candi K. Cann, Baylor University

17. Controversial Truth: Exclusive Claims of Christianity Meet the Plurality of Postmodernism – Ronald T. Michener, Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Belgium

18. Neo-Anabaptist Counter-Cultural Movements and Contemporary Christianity– Tyler Mowry, Baylor University

19. The Future of Christianity in America – E. Brooks Holifield, Candler School of Theology/Emory University

Section 3:

Modern Expressions in Theological Context

20. Postmodern Christianity – Myron B. Penner, The Anglican Parish of St Paul’s, Edmonton, Canada

21. African American Christianity – Sandy Dwayne Martin, University of Georgia

22. Asian American Christianity — Ki Joo Choi, Seton Hall University

23. Latinx Christianity – Alyssa J. Maldonado-Estrada, Kalamazoo College

24. Catholic Christianity –Michael Pasquier, Louisiana State University

25. Evangelical Christianity –Todd M. Brenneman, Faulkner University

26. Pentecostal Christianity – Joseph Williams, Rutgers University

27. Native American Christianity – Tammy Heise, University of Wyoming

28. Feminism and Christianity – Elise Edwards, Baylor University

29. The Mormon Faith in the American Religious Landscape – Tammy Heise, University of Wyoming

Section 4:

Polarizing Scuffles in Ethical Context

30. Origins of Life, Abortion and Contemporary Christianity — Claire Peterson, Asbury University

31. Euthanasia and Contemporary Christianity – Devan Stahl, Baylor University

32. Ecotheologyand Contemporary Christianity — Fred P. Edie, Duke Divinity School/DukeUniversity

33. Clergy Abuse and Contemporary Christianity – Byard Bennett, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary

34. Human Traffickingand Contemporary Christianity – Christina Busman Jost, Bethel University (Minnesota)

35. Violence and Non-violencein Contemporary Christianity – Joshua Brockway

36. Racism and Contemporary Christianity – Hak Joon Lee, Fuller Theological Seminary

37. Politics and Contemporary Christianity – Laura Porter, Louisiana State University Civil War book series

38. Sexual Identity and Contemporary Christianity — Stephen M. Merino, Colorado Mesa University

39. Superhero Culture and Contemporary Christianity — Earl Waggoner, Colorado Christian University

Afterword – Elesha J. Coffman, Baylor University: “Religious Weirding”

About the Contributors

Editorial Reviews

This book not only offers a thoughtful critique of the old “Church History” paradigm, but it leads by example in offering a fruitful alternative. Essays bring together the social history of religion in the United States with Christian ethics on contemporary social and political challenges. The result is greater than the sum of its parts, for it offers readers a new set of answers as to why Christianity remains so powerful, and popular, in the contemporary Western world.

Janine Giordano Drake

An indispensable guide for understanding the shifting terrain of Christianity in the United States. With essays written by a range of scholars from multiple disciplines, Mark Lamport has assembled a volume that will prove invaluable to students and specialists alike. Accessible in style and filled with in depth analysis, the handbook's chapters remind us of American Christianity's historical complexities and its adaptability in the past and present.

Christopher Evans

This superb handbook is the one-stop-shop for a comprehensive analysis of the pressing issues of contemporary Christianity in the United States. Its breadth is remarkable as is the list of top-notch scholar-interpreters anchoring each of its four sections – historical, cultural, theological and ethical. You’ll find yourself reaching for this book frequently for reference and orientation, so keep it close at hand. This book is not one that will languish unopened on a top bookshelf!

Priscilla Pope-Levison