The Impact Of Christianity During The European Colonial Era

During the European colonial era, Christians operated from a position of privilege as compared with other religions because Christianity was regarded as a state religion. At the end of the first half of the twentieth century the Christian power position started to fade away. This had to be that way as the European colonial era was also coming to an end in most parts of the world. The non-Christian religions which seemed to have been suppressed by Christianity’s supremacy resurged yet they were thought to have declined or vanished. The resurged religions included Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Shintoism and Shamanism. The resurged religions now compete with Christianity for converts worldwide especially in the areas where they are concentrated. Over and above the resurged religions other new religions were formed which also challenge the witnessing of Christianity to the unreached people. Most of the unevangelised people in the world originate from the continent of Asia. Asia therefore remains by far the most significant challenge for world evangelism.

Buddhism is the fourth largest world religion. Its resurgence in a number of countries has caused challenges to the witnessing
However, one thing for certain is that Jesus Christ commanded that the Great Commission call must be accomplished. Despite so many challenges for the Great Commission, Christian organisations have to come up with strategies to accomplish the call. The strategies should enable Christian missions to make a permanent breakthrough to strongholds of the Muslims, Hinduism, Buddhism and Judaism which are the largest world religions besides Christianity. The writer suggests that Christians continue to be committed to God and pray for the power and wisdom from God to come up with strategies to make breakthrough to the strongholds of the four mentioned above large world religions to witness the gospel in those areas