The Future of Christianity in South and Central Asia
The Future of Christianity in South and Central Asia
Christianity in Central Asia has had to negotiate between militant atheism and Islam. The challenge in the region remains the proclamation of the gospel amidst diverse ideologies. However, the witness of the Church is challenged by internal disunity. Communities that have been Islamic for centuries are now going back to their roots. Conversion from Islam is perceived as a matter of being an instrument of social fragmentation. Still, the Chinese ‘One Belt, One Road’ project has spawned the need for skilled workers, providing opportunities for Christians to be present in these countries. An important issue for the future of Christianity in the region will be the need to invest in a contextual theology that is able to evangelise without causing offence to the Islamic community. To live out the Christian faith in a convincing way in such a context will involve Christians drawing from their own Scriptures the rich description of the kingdom of God that can shape the entire life of a community. South Asian countries have all seen an improvement in gender parity over the last decades. As Christians live among social strata, they can show the relevance of their message to the contemporary context.
Keywords: Christianity, Islam, Fragmentation, Religion, Minority, Theology, Evangelisation, Evangelization, Church
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