This is the first scholarly treatment of nineteenth-century Christianity to discuss the subject in a global context. Part I analyses the responses of Catholic and Protestant Christianity to the intellectual and social challenges presented by European modernity. It gives attention to the explosion of new voluntary forms of Christianity and the expanding role of women in religious life. Part II surveys the diverse and complex relationships between the churches and nationalism, resulting in fundamental changes to the connections between church and state. Part III examines the varied fortunes of Christianity as it expanded its historic bases in Asia and Africa, established itself for the first time in Australasia, and responded to the challenges and opportunities of the European colonial era. Each chapter has a full bibliography providing guidance on further reading.

'This latest volume in this prestigious series looks at what is arguably the most important century in Christian history, whether in Western Europe, Britain, the United States, the British Empire or the Far East … this is an admirable collection that brings readers the latest thinking on a wide variety of fields.'

Source: Contemporary Review

‘… the editors and writers are to be congratulated on bringing order out of a difficult but fascinating period. It is certainly a volume that fulfils one of the functions of history: to help us understand present problems better by looking at the past … it must be said that Cambridge University Press has not departed from its usual standards of production. Footnotes, bibliography and index are impeccable, and this reviewer did not find a single misprint.’

Source: Church Times

'… this is a superb work, an essential work of reference that can be read and enjoyed for the stimulation and information it provides.'

Source: Church of England Newspaper

Review of the set:‘The project is unprecedented and very welcome. Not least among the strengths of these volumes are the large bibliographies, including many works by the essayists involved.’

Source: The Times Literary Supplement

'… the editors have set out through their commissioning of chapters to demonstrate that over the course of the nineteenth century the centre of gravity of Christianity moved decisively beyond the confines of Europe.'

Source: Journal of Ecclesiastical History