Christian faith Quote by Philip Jenkins
““The key difference making for survival is rather how deep a church planted its roots in a particular community, and how far the religion became part of the air that ordinary people breathed. The Egyptian church succeeded wonderfully in this regard, while the Africans failed to make much impact beyond the towns. While the Egyptians put the Christian faith in the language of the ordinary people, from city dwellers through peasants, the Africans concentrated only on certain categories, certain races. Egyptian Christianity became native; its African counterpart was colonial. This difference became crucial when a faith that was formed in one set of social and political arrangements had to adapt to a new world. When society changed, when cities crumbled, when persecution came, the faith would continue in one region but not another.32””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Lost History of Christianity, Philip Jenkins, 2008
Survival of a religion depends on how deeply it integrates into everyday life and language of a community, versus remaining limited to elite groups.
In simple terms: Religion thrives when it becomes part of daily life, not just elite circles.
Key Takeaway
Make faith accessible to all people.
Themes
religion
culture
adaptation
colonialism
indigenization
Mood
reflective
critical
hopeful
Type
historical
analytical
theological
When to use this quote
- missionary work
- urbanization
- political upheaval
- cultural preservation
Key Concepts
inculturation
social integration
identity formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can religious teachings be expressed in local languages?
- What strategies help a faith survive political change?
A Different Perspective
If a faith is too tied to a specific elite, it may collapse when that elite loses power.
