Rowman & Littlefield Handbook of Contemporary Christianity in the United States

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.

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.

• Preface – Mark A. LamportAbout the Editor and Editorial Advisory BoardIntroduction – Emily S. Clark, Gonzaga University)Snapshot: “Four Centuries of Christianity in the United States” -- Jill Gill, Boise State UniversitySection 1: Enduring Legacies In Historical Context1. The Changing Role of Christianity in American Life– Elizabeth Drescher, Santa Clara University2. Christian America, Manifest Destiny, and other Comforting Myths – Sarah Koenig, Ramapo College of New Jersey3. Mainline Protestantism and the Rise and Fall of Denominationalism – Steve Ellingson, Hamilton College4. Christian Nationalism and a Place in the Public Square – Andrew L. Whitehead, Clemson University5. Influence of Religious Unbelief on Contemporary Christianity – Christel J. Manning, Sacred Heart University6. The Sociological Phenomenon of Contemporary Megachurches– James K. Wellman, University of Washington7. Economic Systems, Prosperity, and Contemporary Christianity – Amber Thomas Reynolds, Elmhurst College8. Legal Skirmishes and Religious Freedom in Contemporary Christianity – Brantley Gasaway, Bucknell University 9. The American Presidency and Contemporary Christianity – Jeremy L. Sabella, Dartmouth College10. Divergent Interpretation: The Conflicting Hermeneutics of Contemporary Christianity – Andrew R. Polk, Middle Tennessee State UniversitySection 2: Changing Landscapes in Cultural Context11. Secularizing Culture: The Strange Brew of Contemporary Christianity – James K. Wellman, University of Washington12. Affective Piety: Feeling Faith in Contemporary Christianity – Kate J. Stockly, Boston University and the Center for Mind and Culture13. Social Fragmentation: Alienation and Rejection in Contemporary Christianity -- Sonia E. Waters, Princeton Theological Seminary14. Immigration Influx: The Remaking of Contemporary Christianity – Johanna Richlin, University of Oregon15. Millennial Clout: Generational Stylings of Contemporary Christianity -- Steven Argue, Fuller Theological Seminary16. Digital Church: Virtual Faith of Contemporary Christianity – Candi K. Cann, Baylor University17. Controversial Truth: Exclusive Claims of Christianity Meet the Plurality of Postmodernism – Ronald T. Michener, Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Belgium18. Neo-Anabaptist Counter-Cultural Movements and Contemporary Christianity– Tyler Mowry, Baylor University19. The Future of Christianity in America – E. Brooks Holifield, Candler School of Theology/Emory UniversitySection 3: Modern Expressions in Theological Context20. Postmodern Christianity – Myron B. Penner, The Anglican Parish of St Paul’s, Edmonton, Canada21. African American Christianity – Sandy Dwayne Martin, University of Georgia22. Asian American Christianity -- Ki Joo Choi, Seton Hall University23. Latinx Christianity – Alyssa J. Maldonado-Estrada, Kalamazoo College24. Catholic Christianity –Michael Pasquier, Louisiana State University25. Evangelical Christianity –Todd M. Brenneman, Faulkner University26. Pentecostal Christianity – Joseph Williams, Rutgers University27. Native American Christianity – Tammy Heise, University of Wyoming28. Feminism and Christianity – Elise Edwards, Baylor University29. The Mormon Faith in the American Religious Landscape – Tammy Heise, University of WyomingSection 4: Polarizing Scuffles in Ethical Context30. Origins of Life, Abortion and Contemporary Christianity -- Claire Peterson, Asbury University31. Euthanasia and Contemporary Christianity – Devan Stahl, Baylor University32. Ecotheologyand Contemporary Christianity -- Fred P. Edie, Duke Divinity School/DukeUniversity33. Clergy Abuse and Contemporary Christianity – Byard Bennett, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary34. Human Traffickingand Contemporary Christianity – Christina Busman Jost, Bethel University (Minnesota)35. Violence and Non-violencein Contemporary Christianity – Joshua Brockway36. Racism and Contemporary Christianity – Hak Joon Lee, Fuller Theological Seminary 37. Politics and Contemporary Christianity – Laura Porter, Louisiana State University Civil War book series38. Sexual Identity and Contemporary Christianity -- Stephen M. Merino, Colorado Mesa University39. Superhero Culture and Contemporary Christianity -- Earl Waggoner, Colorado Christian UniversityAfterword – Elesha J. Coffman, Baylor University: “Religious Weirding”About the Contributors