A new study explores the connection between various Christian denominations and persecution, including how prepared certain groups are for it.
According to Christian Today, the report is called In Response to Persecution and is part of the Under Caesar’s Sword project at the University of Notre Dame.
The study found that Evangelicals and Pentecostals tend to experience persecution the most and to be most prepared for it. This is often due to the fact that these denominations focus on evangelism rather than assimilating with antagonistic cultures.
“In response to persecution, evangelical and Pentecostal Christians are more likely to engage in strategies of survival or, on rare occasions, confrontation,” the report says.
“They are less likely, however, to engage in strategies of association. Mainline Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox Christians, on the other hand, are more likely to respond through strategies of association,” it continues.
Such is the case in the country of Nigeria, for example, where the report found that “Although views do not divide perfectly, Catholics and mainline Protestants tend to favor interreligious dialogue and building ties with Muslims, while evangelicals are skeptical of such engagement and more likely to prioritize evangelization.”
The Under Caesar’s Sword project involved 17 scholars from various Christian organizations and schools.
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Publication date: April 25, 2017
