World Christianity

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in World Christianity studies the faith as a global religion whose centre of gravity has moved. More Christians now live in Africa than on any other continent; the most rapidly growing churches are in the global South and East; and the theological questions that occupy those churches are frequently not the ones Western seminaries are organized to answer. A scholar who knows only the Western tradition knows a minority report. The programme is built on primary engagement rather than survey. Students study the historiography of world Christianity and the debates over how it should be written; the expansion, indigenization, and independence of churches in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Pacific, and the Middle East; the role of translation, vernacular Scripture, and local agency; African Independent and Instituted churches; Latin American Protestant growth and Catholic renewal; Asian Christian minorities and majorities; Middle Eastern churches under pressure; migration and the reverse mission of southern churches into the North; and the theological voices of each region read in their own words. Statistical and demographic sources are used critically, with attention to how church growth figures are produced and misused. The dissertation makes an original contribution on a region, movement, figure, or theme in world Christianity. Graduates teach world Christianity and mission history, advise agencies and denominations, contribute to reference works, and prepare churches in the North to learn from churches elsewhere.

Core Courses

• WCH 801 — Historiography of World Christianity (6 credits)
• WCH 812 — African Christianity (6 credits)
• WCH 824 — Asian and Middle Eastern Christianity (6 credits)
• WCH 836 — Latin American and Pacific Christianity (6 credits)
• WCH 848 — Translation, Migration, and Reverse Mission (5 credits)
• WCH 860 — Research Design in World Christianity (4 credits)
• WCH 899 — Doctoral Dissertation in World Christianity (24 credits)

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree in theology, missiology, world Christianity, worship, or a related field
• Cross-cultural ministry, mission, or ecumenical experience, or equivalent research preparation
• Statement of purpose naming the region, movement, or question your research will address
• Academic writing sample
• Current curriculum vitae or ministry profile
• Official transcripts from prior institutions when available