Notes on Contributors Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations IntroductionPart One: Research Methods and Problems1. Vernacular Christianity, George D. Chryssides (York St John University and the University of Birmingham, UK) and Stephen E. Gregg (University of Wolverhampton, UK)2. Who Owns Christianity? Changes in Demographical Trends, Dyron Daughrity (Pepperdine University in Malibu, USA)3. Denominations, George D. Chryssides (York St John University and the University of Birmingham, UK)4. The Role of the Bible, Andrew Village (York St John University, UK)5. Jesus, Stephen E. Gregg (University of Wolverhampton, UK)6. Fieldwork in Studying Christians, Simon Coleman (University of Toronto, Canada)7. Christians and the Visual Arts, Sue Yore (York St John University, UK)8. Interreligious Encounter, Elizabeth J Harris (University of Birmingham, UK) Part Two: Current Research and Issues9. Calendar, Margaret Z. Wilkins (Independent Scholar)10. Children – Family – Childlessness, Dawn Llewellyn (University of Chester, UK)11. Education, Tim Jensen (University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; Leibniz University Hannover, Germany; Ural Federal University, Russia) 12. Death, Christina Welch (University of Winchester, UK)13. Spirituality, Stefania Palmisano (University of Turin, Italy)14. Fundamentalism, Camille K. Lewis (Furman University, USA)15. Christians in Africa, Louise Müller (Leiden University, the Netherlands)16. Social Action, Chris Shannahan, (Coventry University, UK) 17. Work, Andrew Hambler (Birmingham City University, UK)18. Politics, Daniel Nilsson DeHanas (King’s College London, UK)19. War – Violence – Peace, Ted Grimsrud (Eastern Mennonite University, USA)20. Ethics, Eleanor Tiplady Higgs (University of Cape Town, South Africa)21. Healing, George D. Chryssides (York St John University and the University of Birmingham, UK)Part Three: New Directions in Studying Christians22. Music, Brian W. Nail (Florida State College, USA)23. Pilgrimage, Stella Rock (Open University, UK)24. Laity, George D. Chryssides (York St John University and the University of Birmingham, UK)25. LGBTQ Christians, Melissa M. Wilcox (University of California, USA)26. Food, Benjamin E. Zeller (Lake Forest College, USA)27. Literature, Crawford Gribben (University Belfast, UK)28. Film and Media, Rhonda Burnette-Bletsch (Eastern University, USA)29. Digital Christianity, Tim Hutchings (University of Nottingham, UK)30. Science and Technology, Lisa H. Sideris (Indiana University, USA)31. Sacred Space and Sacred Objects, Amy Whitehead (Massey University, New Zealand)32. Tourism, Alex Norman (Western Sydney University, Australia)Part Four: ResourcesA-ZNotesChronologyBibliography Index

The editors of this volume have gathered a formidable group of contributors who together describe what it is like to practice the Christian faith utilizing a “living religion” approach. The book is very strong on methodology and definitions, grounded in the field of religious studies. The book is an excellent tool for reflective academics and teachers, with its careful explanations of important and relevant theories related to studying Christians.

Bloomsbury Handbooks is a series of single-volume reference works which map the parameters of a discipline or sub-discipline and present the 'state-of-the-art' in terms of research. Each Handbook offers a systematic and structured range of specially commissioned essays reflecting on the history, methodologies, research methods, current debates and future of a particular field of research. Bloomsbury Handbooks provide researchers and graduate students with both cutting-edge perspectives on perennial questions and authoritative overviews of the history of research.