A Multitude of All Peoples

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Christianity is not becoming a global religion; it has always been one. The early Christian movement spread from Jerusalem, adopting local cultural expressions throughout the ancient world. Yet, many perceive Christianity as a primarily Western, white religion. In A Multitude of All Peoples, Vince Bantu explores the geographic scope of early church history, offering a more accurate narrative that counters the view of Christianity as a Western product. He examines the historical roots of the church's Western cultural captivity, tracing it from Constantine's conversion to the emergence of European Christian empires. Bantu then highlights the often-overlooked development of diverse Christian expressions across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. This exploration aims to remove barriers to contemporary missiological efforts. Emphasizing the importance of contextualization and indigenous leadership for effective Christian missions, he provides practical lessons for intercultural communication of the gospel. Addressing the wounds of racism, imperialism, and colonialism requires renewed attention to the marginalized voices within the historic global church. The full narrative of early Christianity reinforces the idea that, as the apostle Peter stated, "God does not show favoritism, but accepts those from every people who fear him and do what is right."