In Chapter 1: Introduction to Christianity as a world religion: An introduction by Sebastian Kim and Kirsteen Kim, the authors characterize the main aspects of Christianity, including topographical, theological, geographical, sociological, historical, and structural. Taken together, the characteristic features of these aspects, including the missionary nature of this religion, the presence of universal theological truths, prevalence throughout the world and global interconnection, make Christianity a world religion. At the same time, Kim and Kim (2016) note that Christianity is “locally rooted in many different societies and cultures” (p. 3). Then comes the claim that Christianity is polycentric. Indeed, the authors skillfully represent the various Christian movements, taking into account their geographical, ethnic and social differences. However, the conclusion about the polycentricity of Christianity is presented ambiguously since the authors do not specify what meaning they mean by the concept of polycentrism. On the one hand, it can be concluded that Kim and Kim (2016) consider Christianity to be polycentric, as it has diverse local manifestations and specific features in different communities and cultures. On the other hand, perhaps polycentrism is manifested in the essence of Christianity, which in various forms has unique features.
Therefore, the authors should clarify that Christianity can be considered polycentric only because it manifests itself locally within specific Christian traditions and denominations, and this does not apply to its essence. When the authors say that Christianity is polycentric, one might mistakenly think that there are multiple Christianities. In fact, the forms of Christianity, despite the difference in traditions, have a single basis, which consists of the person of Jesus Christ. Thus, Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox, despite the different sources of faith, attitudes towards the Holy Spirit, the heads of the church, and the features of worship and holidays, share the fundamental principles of Christianity.
Reference
Kim, S. C. H. & Kim, K. (2016). Christianity as a world religion: An introduction (2nd ed.). Bloomsbury.