The massive changes of Christianity during the 20th century raise the perennial question about
its identity in a new radical form. The author addresses the question of identity and asks how
globalisation religious pluralism and the polycentric nature of Christianity affect Christian
self-identification and theological reflection. First religious life and theological
reflection among believers in Jesus from Muslim and Hindu background in South Asia is presented
in two empirical studies. Secondly the findings are analysed and interpreted within a broad
theoretical framework drawing on models for syncretistic processes from history of religions
cultural anthropology and Christian theology. Finally the study concludes with a
systematic-theological perspective on the interreligious hermeneutics underlying the changes of
Christianity and discusses how interreligious hermeneutics might inform missiology as well as
Christian theologies of religions and how this might challenge our understanding of the
church's nature and mission. In conclusion it is argued that a global polycentric
Christianity can be interpreted as fellowship created by the Spirit and centred on Christ.
