In this book Kyama Mugambi and Mark Shaw examine the diverse expressions of Christianity in Metropolitan Nairobi, a city boasting a population of ten million, which is one of the most religiously pluralistic cities in the world. Founded in 1899 as little more than a train depot for the Uganda Railway, Nairobi has come a long way; mosques, megachurches and temples serve as the backdrop for examining Christianity and public life in this vibrant city.This volume covers all the major Christian traditions practiced in the city, including Protestantism, Orthodoxy and Catholicism. The city is a laboratory of a new global pluralism, and avital centre of a new global Christian pluralism specifically. Mugambi and Shaw argue that this kind of pluralism is reshaping religion everywhere in the majority world.Other themes include the role of women in Christianity, Kenyan Independent Churches, and the Christian youth movement. The book illuminates how through Christianity, Africans have begun to come to terms with modern urban realities, including religious pluralism, hypothesising how this process could unfold in other parts of the world.
Kyama Mugambi is Assistant Professor of World Christianity at the Yale Divinity School. Mark Shaw is the director of the Centre for World Christianity and Professor of Historical Studies at Africa International University.
Introduction1. The Cathedral and the Kiosk: Historic Protestant Churches2. The Mass and its Masses: Catholic Presence in Nairobi3. A Place to Feel at Home: Kenyan Independent Churches4. “Fire”: Pentecostalism and Evangelicalism5. Ancient Altars: Orthodoxy6. “Youth Arise”- Nairobi Christianity as a Youth Movement7. “Your Daughters Shall Prophesy”: Women and the Shaping of Christianity in Nairobi8. Rival Cities: Nairobi Christianity and Public Life9. Kiosks, Cathedrals and Mosques: Christian and MuslimsBibliographyIndex
While overall the book is convinced of the value of Christianity to the life of the city, Mugambiand Shaw have covered a vast amount of ground here and for any scholar interested in AfricanChristianity, it is therefore well worth a read.
Kyama Mugambi, Mark Shaw, Kenya) Mugambi, Kyama (Africa International University, Kenya) Shaw, Mark (Africa International University, Dyron B. Daughrity, Dyron B Daughrity