Gods Continent: Christianity, Islam,
and Europes Religious Crisis (The
Future of Christianity) by Philip
Jenkins
Christianity And Islam In Europe Today
Is the Christian church in Europe doomed to collapse under the weight of
globalization, Western secularism, and a flood of Muslim immigrants? Is
Europe on the brink of becoming Eurabia?
Though many pundits are predicting just such a scenario, Gods Continent
reveals the flaws in these arguments and offers a much more measured
assessment of Europes religious future. While frankly acknowledging
current tensions, Philip Jenkins shows, for instance, that the overheated
rhetoric about a Muslim-dominated Europe is based on politically
convenient myths: that Europe is being imperiled by floods of Muslim
immigrants, exploding Muslim birth-rates, and the demise of European

Christianity. He points out that by no means are Muslims the only new
immigrants in Europe. Christians from Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe
are also pouring into the Western countries, and bringing with them a
vibrant and enthusiastic faith that is helping to transform the face of
European Christianity. Jenkins agrees that both Christianity and Islam face
real difficulties in surviving within Europes secular culture. But instead of
fading away, both have adapted, and are adapting. Yes, the churches are
in decline, but there are also clear indications that Christian loyalty and
devotion survive, even as institutions crumble.
The third book in an acclaimed trilogy that includes The Next
Christendom and The New Faces of Christianity, Gods Continent offers a
realistic and historically grounded appraisal of the future of Christianity in a
rapidly changing Europe.
Personal Review: Gods Continent: Christianity, Islam, and
Europes Religious Crisis (The Future of Christianity) by Philip
Jenkins
This is the third in Jenkins' fascinating series looking at global Christianity
and it follows "The Next Christendom" and "The New Faces Of
Christianity" but this time focusing on Christianity in Europe and the
perceived threat of Islam. Reading this book was an enjoyable experience
and a welcome antidote to the paranoia often seen in the media and in
churches, at least with regard to the future of Christianity. Jenkins shows,
using statistics and with a look through the history of Christianity in Europe,
that despite the increase in secularisation and the reduction in numbers of
believers, Christianity is still overwhelmingly the majority religion in Europe
and likely to stay that way. He wonders whether the Islam of those who
make their homes in Europe might also become more secular and tolerant
and that the Islam that we fear, that of the fundamentalists, might not be as
prevalent as we fear.
The second half of the book looks more closely at Islam, discussing
terrorism and the French riots, showing how some people are radicalised
and giving a history of many of the terrorism events of the last twenty
years. He also describes some of the changes taking place in European
Islam, particularly with regard to women's rights. The assumption that
Islam is a monolithic faith in which there is no variation is patently false and
it was encouraging to read of many of the Muslim men and women who
are working as a force for good, at least as we would see it. However the
overall tone of this part of the book was less positive and left the reader
with the sense that Islam is very different from the liberality of most
Europeans and not that willing to accommodate in most cases.
Jenkins is always a worthwhile writer to read, with an ability to see the big
picture as well as to focus on the details, and he is at home in European
history and culture. His writing style is excellent, always interesting, well-
reasoned and clearly researched, although I was irritated by his insistence
in calling the London Underground the London Subway. This book is an

important study for anyone living in Europe who wonders about the future
of Christianity and how we are to get along with our Muslim neighbours
and who perhaps wants to learn a little more about the Islam that is
becoming established in Europe.
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