The Journal for Post-Christendom Studies (JPS) seeks to publish research on the nature of Christian identity and mission in the contexts of post-Christendom. Post-Christendom refers to places, both now and in the past, where Christianity was once a significant cultural presence, though not necessarily the dominant religion. Sometimes “Christendom” refers to the official link between church and state. The term “post-Christendom” is often associated with the rise of secularization, religious pluralism, and multiculturalism in western countries over the past sixty years. Our use of the term is broader than that. For example, Egypt can be considered a post-Christendom context. It was once a leading center of Christianity. “Christendom” does not necessarily mean that it is the official public and dominant religion. For example, under Saddam Hussein, Christianity was probably a minority religion, but, for the most part, Christians were left alone. After America deposed Saddam Hussein, Christians began to flee because they became a persecuted minority. In that sense, post-Saddam Iraq is an experience of post-Christendom — it is a shift from a cultural context in which Christians have more or less freedom to exercise their faith to one where they are persecuted and/or marginalized for doing so.
Our first issues will have articles written by
David Bebbington
Reginald Bibby
Kenzo Mabiala
Najeeb Awad
David Fitch
Michael Wilkinson and Sam Reimer
Michael Clawson
A.J. Swoboda
We invite submissions under the areas of theology, history, culture, and practice. The journal encourages interdisciplinary approaches from a variety of fields of study —e.g., sociology, philosophy, and political science. These approaches may be prescriptive —e.g., an Anabaptist view on post-Christendom — or descriptive — e.g., changing voting patterns among Christians. The following serve as examples of relevant topics within each of these areas. They are intended only as guides.
Theology
The role of theology in relation to other disciplines in the contexts of post-Christendom
The way post-Christendom affects and changes theological discourse.
History
The reasons behind, responses to, the disappearance, and decline of Christian communities around the world
What can contemporary Christian communities learn from historical experiences of post-Christendom and de-Christianization?
Culture
The effects of post-Christendom on culture and the Church — e.g., philosophical, sociological, and political dimensions
Changing attitudes towards the Christian faith and its adherents as they are portrayed in arts and media
Practice
Emerging forms of doing Church that attempt to address these challenges
Post-Christendom and the proclamation of the Gospel
