Timothy Yates

This is an accessible two-part introduction to Christianity's expansion. The Expansion of Christianity Christianity developed from its beginnings as a persecuted sect in an outpost of the Roman empire to become the largest religion on earth. This narrative focuses on missionary pioneers, and also examines individual continents to assess how Christian mission has moved forward despite many periods of retreat. Timothy Yates's account provides a rich and enlightening introduction to the development of this major worldwide faith. Christianity and the Celts In recent years the term 'Celt' has become synonymous with mystery and the 'other-worldly'. Ted Olsen digs beneath the layers of romanticization to introduce readers to the world of the Celts and its key figures. The author focuses on the principal characters from Ireland and beyond, highlighting their missionary fervour and monastic ideals. In bringing a distant period of history vividly to life, this account is an engaging portrait of men and women whose ability to intrigue and fascinate is as strong as it ever was.

The Conversion of the Maori is the latest volume in the Studies in the History of Christian Missions series, which explores the significant, yet often contested, impact of Christian missions around the world. Timothy Yates introduces the history of missions among the Maori people of New Zealand in the mid-1800s. On the basis of painstaking archival research, Yates charts the change in society and religion over the course of nearly thirty years in detail, describing the historical development of the conversion process. The Conversion of the Maori is ecumenical and historically informed to give a balanced presentation of the conversion of a whole people.

'This account of a fascinating and neglected life makes a significant contribution to our knowledge of twentieth century British evangelicalism and overseas missions.' (John Wolffe, Professor of Religious History, Open University)'The family lived through stirring times and Canon Houghton's life was one of some drama, subject like St Paul to shipwreck and some dangers on the mission field, followed by much labour at home for the missionary society and many other Christian bodies and causes.' (Timothy Yates, author)'One of the Lord's great servants on earth. He was not only a dedicated evangelical leader in Britain, but a warm personal friend and supporter of mine for which I am very grateful.' (Billy Graham)'His life and character exemplified the four marks of the Christian Church mentioned by our Lord: a concern for truth, a concern for holiness, a concern for mission, and a concern for unity.'(John Stott)'Canon Houghton, a missionary statesman and a man of great stature. He was invariably supportive and encouraging.' (John B. Taylor, former Bishop of St Albans)

'This account of a fascinating and neglected life makes a significant contribution to our knowledge of twentieth century British evangelicalism and overseas missions.' (John Wolffe, Professor of Religious History, Open University)'The family lived through stirring times and Canon Houghton's life was one of some drama, subject like St Paul to shipwreck and some dangers on the mission field, followed by much labour at home for the missionary society and many other Christian bodies and causes.' (Timothy Yates, author)'One of the Lord's great servants on earth. He was not only a dedicated evangelical leader in Britain, but a warm personal friend and supporter of mine for which I am very grateful.' (Billy Graham)'His life and character exemplified the four marks of the Christian Church mentioned by our Lord: a concern for truth, a concern for holiness, a concern for mission, and a concern for unity.'(John Stott)'Canon Houghton, a missionary statesman and a man of great stature. He was invariably supportive and encouraging.' (John B. Taylor, former Bishop of St Albans)

As writing and specialist studies on Christian mission have proliferated, there has been a growing need for a single-volume overview of developments in this century. This widely-acclaimed book gives historical focus and perspective to mission by concentrating on the leading figures of each decade, beginning with the leading up to the Edinburgh Conference of 1910 and including treatment of the other great missionary conferences. German mission theory between the wars (1918–1939) is addressed, as are the writings of Roland Allen and D. J. Fleming. In Part II (1940–1990) the responses to the religious pluralism of the modern world, Hindu, Buddhist, Jew, and Muslim, which emerged before the conferences of 1939, are pursued through the writings of figures such as Stephen Neill and Kenneth Cragg, the documents of Vatican II, and the Lausanne Conference of 1974, concluding with the varied responses of writers such as John Hick and Leslie Newbigin.