EMQ » April–June 2021 » Volume 57 Issue 2
By David W. Kling
Oxford University Press, 2020
836 pages
US$150.00
Reviewed by Perlita Tan, former missionary among Muslims and missions mobilizer, and currently the Paul E. Pierson scholar at Fuller Theological Seminary.
The word history in the title, the number of pages, and the listed price might appear intimidating, but this is a well-researched and well-written book that stimulates the mind, arouses emotions, and challenges the will. This is the fruit of fifteen years of research done by historian David Kling.
The book is divided into seven parts, based on geography and time periods. The seven sections cover the Roman World, Medieval Europe, Early Modern Europe, The Americas, China, India, and Africa. Each part contains several chapters which focus on specific years, as well as themes like conversion in the Bible, coercion, monasticism, reformation, evangelicalism, social classes, and revival movements. Throughout the book are accounts of individual and group conversions, including those of women converts and more recent personalities. The conversion stories are followed by the author’s analyses of their historical contexts, often using Lewis Rambo’s seven-stage theory of conversion. Kling also discusses gender issues and controversial events in such a way that readers do not lose faith in people nor in missions.
Although Kling occasionally uses big words like “obduracy” and “intransigence,” his conversational narration makes the book easy to read. Reading about the zeal of Christians in spreading their faith, their morality, and willingness to die for their faith, and the various fruits of conversion in individuals, families, and societies can inspire any Christian. One thing that could have made the book even richer in content is if Kling added more regions in Asia, even if he would have had to allot fewer chapters to Europe and America. Although he explains in the preface that he chose depth rather than breadth, in view of global Christianity and the global South becoming the center of Christianity, he could have made some adjustments.
History students are in for a treat as they are introduced to many primary sources (autobiographies and writings) and are supplied with in-text summary lists and maps, comprehensive endnotes, and exhaustive indices for subjects, authors, and Scripture cited. But a few more organizational features could have increased the book’s usefulness. Because the chapters have overlapping time frames, a detailed table of contents (with subheadings) would be helpful in finding the right chapter. Also, due to the amount of information covered, the inclusion of summary visual aids like timeline of key conversions, and flowchart of how Christian movements are interconnected would help readers see the big picture. A separate index listing the conversion biographies would also be a useful resource.
This book would be useful in a variety of settings – schools, churches, mission fields, and Christian homes. It can even be used as a devotional book. By reading one portion each day, the reader can reflect and learn from history and the many life stories.
For Further Reading
Farhadian, Charles E. and Lewis Ray Rambo, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Religious Conversion. Oxford University Press, 2014.
Bantu, Vince L. A Multitude of All Peoples: Engaging Ancient Christianity’s Global Identity. IVP Academic, 2020.
