Facing West
American Evangelicals in an Age of World Christianity
David R. Swartz
Reviews and Awards
"Beautifully researched and creatively conceived, Facing West is a remarkable account of American evangelicalism in its transnational context, one that turns our focus toward the contributions of believers in the global South. This expansive history moves from the Cold War to the war against human trafficking, from Korea to Latin America to East Africa, and Swartz is the intelligent, rigorous, and yet generous guide we need to understand the global politics of a border-crossing community. A truly impressive book." -- Melani McAlister, Professor of American Studies & International Affairs, George Washington University
"If U.S. evangelicalism is to have any future beyond its current state of incessant and unproductive navel gazing, it must find rooting in and expression through World Christianity. Swartz offers a necessary and illuminating global lens for the emerging evangelical narrative, one that has moved far beyond its assumed Western moorings. Covering a breadth of important historical narratives, this text offers a scholarly glimpse into the possibilities of world evangelicalism, which could even include U.S. evangelicalism." -- Soong-Chan Rah, author of The Next Evangelicalism
"Facing West is a fascinating and important book that can help reorient perspectives of American evangelicals. Swartz provides a balanced and thoughtful guide to understanding what American evangelicals have learned, and might learn, from the vast majority of world Christians who are not following American scripts." -- George Marsden, co-editor of Evangelicals, Who They Have Been, Are Now, and Could Be