Clouds of Witnesses: Christian Voices from Africa and Asia

by Mark A. Noll, Carolyn Nystrom

Overview

As Africa and Asia take their place as the new Christian heartlands, a new and robust company of saints is coming into view. In seventeen inspiring narratives Mark Noll and Carolyn Nystrom introduce pivotal Christian leaders in Africa and Asia who had tenacious faith in the midst of deprivation, suffering and conflict. Spanning a century, from the 1880s to the 1980s, their stories demonstrate the vitality of the Christian faith in a diversity of contexts. This kaleidoscopic witness to the power of the gospel will both inspire and educate. Whether for a class in global Christianity or for a personal journey to other times and places of faith, Clouds of Witnesses is a book that tugs at our curiosity and resists being laid down. An engaging traveling companion to Mark Noll's award-winning book The New Shape of World Christianity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830868612
Publisher:	IVP
Publication date:	03/24/2011
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	286
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Carolyn Nystrom (MA, Wheaton College) has written more than eighty books, Bible study guides and children's titles. She served as general editor for the Christian Classics series and she co-authored Guard Us, Guide Us and Praying with theologian J. I. Packer, and Before I Was Born (God's Design for Sex) with Sandra Speidel. In addition to actively serving in her church and community, she has been a foster parent, an elementary schoolteacher and a book editor. Carolyn lives in the Chicago area with her husband and they have four grown children.

Mark A. Noll (Ph.D., Vanderbilt University) is Francis McAnaney Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is advisory editor for Books Culture and subeditor for the new Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart. Noll's main academic interests concern the interaction of Christianity and culture in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Anglo-American societies. He has published articles and reviews on a wide variety of subjects involving Christianity in modern history. Some of his many books include The Civil War as a Theological Crisis, Is the Reformation Over?, The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys and The Old Religion in a New World.

Mark A. Noll is emeritus professor of history at Wheaton College and the University of Notre Dame. He is the author of many books, including America's Book, Jesus Christ and the Life of the Mind, Clouds of Witnesses: Christian Voices from Africa and Asia, The New Shape of World Christianity, The Rise of Evangelicalism: The Age of Edwards, Whitefield and the Wesleys, The Civil War as a Theological Crisis, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity, and The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind.

Carolyn Nystrom, who compiled and edited this devotional, is a freelance writer living in Illinois and has written over seventy books and Bible studies. She is the coauthor (with J. I. Packer) of Praying and Never Beyond Hope.

Table of Contents

List of Maps
Introduction
Southern Africa
1 Bernard Mizeki (c. 1861--1896): The First Anglican African Martyr
2 John Chilembwe (c. 1870--1915): Holistic Christian and Accidental Rebel
3 Albert Luthuli (1898--1967): Gentleman of Justice
West Africa
4 William Wadé Harris (c. 1865 --c. 1929): Passionate Prophet
5 Byang Kato (1936--1975): Theological Visionary
East Africa
6. Simeon Nsibambi (1897--1978): Revival Anchor
7 Janani Luwum (1922--1977): Martyr of "the Second Century"
India
8 Pandita Ramabai (1858--1922): Christian, Hindu, Reformer
9 V. S. Azariah (1874--1945): Bishop, Statesman, Pastor
10 Sundar Singh (1889--1929?): Mysterious Mystic
Korea
11 Sun Chu Kil (1869--1935): Pastor and Founding Father
China
12 Dora Yu (1873--1931): Catalyst for an Enduring Chinese Faith
13 Mary Stone /Shi Meiyu (1873--1954): Agent of Change
14 John Sung /Song Shangjie (1901--1944): Firestorm Evangelist
15 Yao-Tsung Wu /Wu Yaozong (1893--1979): Communist and Christian
16 Wang Mingdao (1900--1991): Imprisoned by Choice
17 Ignatius Cardinal Kung/Kung Pin-Mei (1901--2000): A Catholic Valiant for Truth
Afterword
For Further Reading
Index
Image Credits

What People are Saying About This

Mark Shaw

"Most of us have heard of Christianity's monumental shift from global north to global south. But shifts are impersonal things. They don't breathe, evangelize, repent, worship or die for their faith. Only people do that. These seventeen snapshots of global Christian luminaries put a much-needed face on the rise of world Christianity. Each carefully drawn portrait brims with the insight, eloquence and deep learning which we have come to expect from Mark Noll and Carolyn Nystrom. Highly recommended."
— Mark Shaw, director of the Center for World Christianity, Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology, and author of Global Awakening

Miriam Adeney

"Here are seventeen disciples from Asia and Africa with hearts for their people and heads that grasp the big picture. Hear their voices."
— Miriam Adeney, professor, Seattle Pacific University, and author of Kingdom Without Borders

Brian Stanley

"The book of Revelation reminds us that the company of the saints encompasses those from every nation, tribe, people and tongue, but too many volumes of modern Christian biography appear to restrict the saints to those of European descent. This rich collection of pen portraits corrects the imbalance and reminds us of the wonderful variety of the worldwide people of God--prophets, mystics, evangelists, political agitators, revivalists and martyrs are all here. This book will expand your horizons, instruct your mind and challenge the level of your spiritual commitment."
— Brian Stanley, professor of world Christianity, University of Edinburgh

Gerald J. Pillay

"A remarkable book helping us, through the lives of seventeen Christians from outside Europe and North America, to understand how the "center of gravity" in world Christianity has shifted from North to South; and from West to East. A novel way to help us change perspective."
— Gerald J. Pillay, Vice-Chancellor & Rector, Liverpool Hope University

Simon Chan

"The authors have shown again and again through the stories of these heroes that, with a few exceptions like Y. T. Wu (and they are indeed the exceptions), the old, old Story is still very much alive in ways that have long been forgotten by a beleaguered Christianity in the West. My hope is that their effort will help to rekindle confidence in the gospel as the power of God unto salvation."
— Simon Chan, Trinity Theological College, Singapore

Jehu J. Hanciles

"Clouds of Witnesses powerfully portrays the lives, ministries and contributions of leading non-Western Christians in a diversity of contexts and Christian traditions. This unique collection provides a timely reminder that non-Western Christianities, now the dominant form of the faith, were forged in historical situations that are far removed from the purview of most Western Christians. It is compiled with keen sensitivity to the complex nuances of the historical record. The pivotal role of indigenous agency in the extraordinary expansion of Christianity in the non-Western world is fleshed out, but with ample reminders that the vital spark in many remarkable events was often ignited in the encounter between Western missionary agent and indigenous believer. Thus, the voices that speak in this volume speak to the whole church."

— Jehu J. Hanciles, associate professor, History of Christianity and Globalization, and director, Center for Missiological Research, Fuller Graduate School of Intercultural Studies

Jonathan J. Bonk

"Few are unaware of Christianity's decline across old Christendom, its stasis in neo-Christendom and its astonishing post-colonial growth across much of the non-Western world. Nevertheless, the 'streetlight effect' evident in standard church histories means that we know scarcely anything about those men and women chiefly responsible for the most remarkable demographic surge in the history of the church. As a happy exception to that rule, this book reminds us that Christianity is a world religion, and provides Christians everywhere with cause to celebrate."
— Jonathan J. Bonk, Ph.D., executive director of the Overseas Ministries Study Center and project director of the Dictionary of African Christian Biography

Editorial Reviews

Because Euro-Americans are largely unaware of Christian history in Africa and Asia, the authors set out to tell stories of Christian leaders from Korea, China, Africa, and India. These narratives from the 19th and 20th centuries stand on their own rather than filling the pages with assessment and evaluation, because "it is important first simply to know before trying to judge," the authors write. Profiles of influential Christian voices and activists range from Archbishop Janani Luwum, a martyr in Uganda murdered by Idi Amin's regime in 1977, to Dora Yu, a woman considered the foremost Chinese evangelist during the early 1900s. The otherwise brilliant book suffers from uninspiring front matter, and while one strength is the incredible detail harvested from missionary journals, biographies, and autobiographies, the first chapter immediately bogs down in minutiae of church politics surrounding its subject, Anglican martyr Bernard Mizeki. The value of this book is the window it opens to a diverse world. The authors maintain that these stories show indelibly that the Holy Spirit has been active across the world and across time. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"This book is invaluable for Western Christians to become acquainted with the non-Western church. As the Western church has had its moments of peril and confusion as well as triumph and encouragement, so Clouds of Witnesses presents the non-Western church. When lack of sources has prevented full investigation, Noll and Nystrom adroitly present what can be discerned. Powerful stories of persecution and suffering by men and women of faith encourage readers to persevere in the face of adversity for the sake of the glory of God."

Sean Dougherty with D. Jeffrey Bingham

"This is the sort of book that forces us to rethink how we teach the story of Christianity worldwide."

Christian Century

"Although Clouds of Witnesses represents serious historiography, these essays challenge any reader to faith, self-evaluation, and commitment. This book would be a wonderful study guide for any Bible class that desires to learn more about the shape of faith of those in other parts of the world. . . . A book such as this belongs on every believer's bookshelf. I commend it highly."

Chris Flanders

"Straight-forward brief biographies of remarkable figures of faith in non-Western Christianity, perfect for church groups, parish libraries, and seminary libraries."

Graham Christian

"Clouds of Witnesses is recommended as a rich source of illustrative historical material on a wide variety of current missiological issues and for anyone asking the question, 'What in the world is God doing?'"

David K. Strong

"Few are unaware of Christianity's decline across old Christendom, its stasis in neo-Christendom and its astonishing post-colonial growth across much of the non-Western world. Nevertheless, the 'streetlight effect' evident in standard church histories means that we know scarcely anything about those men and women chiefly responsible for the most remarkable demographic surge in the history of the church. As a happy exception to that rule, this book reminds us that Christianity is a world religion, and provides Christians everywhere with cause to celebrate."

Jonathan J. Bonk

"Here are seventeen disciples from Asia and Africa with hearts for their people and heads that grasp the big picture. Hear their voices."

Miriam Adeney

"The authors have shown again and again through the stories of these heroes that, with a few exceptions like Y. T. Wu (and they are indeed the exceptions), the old, old Story is still very much alive in ways that have long been forgotten by a beleaguered Christianity in the West. My hope is that their effort will help to rekindle confidence in the gospel as the power of God unto salvation."

Simon Chan

"Clouds of Witnesses powerfully portrays the lives, ministries and contributions of leading non-Western Christians in a diversity of contexts and Christian traditions. This unique collection provides a timely reminder that non-Western Christianities, now the dominant form of the faith, were forged in historical situations that are far removed from the purview of most Western Christians. It is compiled with keen sensitivity to the complex nuances of the historical record. The pivotal role of indigenous agency in the extraordinary expansion of Christianity in the non-Western world is fleshed out, but with ample reminders that the vital spark in many remarkable events was often ignited in the encounter between Western missionary agent and indigenous believer. Thus, the voices that speak in this volume speak to the whole church."

Jehu J. Hanciles

"The book of Revelation reminds us that the company of the saints encompasses those from every nation, tribe, people and tongue, but too many volumes of modern Christian biography appear to restrict the saints to those of European descent. This rich collection of pen portraits corrects the imbalance and reminds us of the wonderful variety of the worldwide people of God—prophets, mystics, evangelists, political agitators, revivalists and martyrs are all here. This book will expand your horizons, instruct your mind and challenge the level of your spiritual commitment."

Brian Stanley

"Most of us have heard of Christianity's monumental shift from global north to global south. But shifts are impersonal things. They don't breathe, evangelize, repent, worship or die for their faith. Only people do that. These seventeen snapshots of global Christian luminaries put a much-needed face on the rise of world Christianity. Each carefully drawn portrait brims with the insight, eloquence and deep learning which we have come to expect from Mark Noll and Carolyn Nystrom. Highly recommended."

Mark Shaw

"A remarkable book helping us, through the lives of seventeen Christians from outside Europe and North America, to understand how the "center of gravity" in world Christianity has shifted from North to South; and from West to East. A novel way to help us change perspective."

Gerald J. Pillay

Noll (McManis Professor of Christian Thought, Wheaton Coll.; The New Shape of World Christianity) and Nystrom (Friendship: Growing Side by Side) address one of the open secrets of contemporary Christianity—the remarkable rise of Christian faith outside Europe and North America, across Africa and Asia as well as South America. They tell the life stories of 17 "saints" in Southern Africa, West Africa, East Africa, India, Korea, and China from the 19th and 20th centuries, including William Wade Harris, Pandita Ramabai, and Ignatius Cardinal Kung. While the arrival of Christianity in Africa and Asia has an uneasy relationship with imperialism, the future of Christianity is likely to lie outside the West, and these stories are crucial for the understanding of that change. VERDICT Straightforward brief biographies of remarkable figures of faith in non-Western Christianity, perfect for church groups, parish libraries, and seminary libraries.

Library Journal