Asian Christianity is separated by four geographic regions in Jacobs writings. These four regions are: Islamic west Asia, Hindu south Asia, Religiously mixed southeast Asia, and Buddhist/secular east Asia. The Christian population in Islamic west Asia is at four percent and is continually getting smaller. Many of the Christians that reside is west Asia today and are in the more populated christian communities are “guest workers” that often come from the Philippines for labor and domestic work. They reside in the gulf nations that produce oil. Life for these Christian workers is that of never ending servitude. Once working in the country they are payed low wages and often have their passports stripped from them, unless there employers grant them travel. Like west Asia Christians in South Hindu Asia only take up four percent of the overall population. However they live a much different lifestyle than those in west Asia, Those in south Asia live in more populated communities of Christians and have a higher social status. Christianity is thriving is southeast Asia. The Philippines itself has 90 million Christians. Christianity is over represented in the minority groups, and thus conversion has become a way of identity for those minorities. Secular east Asia has the fastest growing population of Christians in Asia, with the population growing with a nine percent increase over the last 40 years. The quality of life is quite different in the different states throughout east Asia however. This is show through South and North Korea. In south Korea Christians are highly respect and six of South Koreas past eleven presidents have been Christian. In north Korea however, the state is committed to atheism and Christianity is forbidden. In the other parts of secular east Asia conversion of religions is seen as punishable by death. Jacobson seems hopeful for Christian growth throughout Asia as they contain 400 million Christians, which is 100 million more than North America, yet only ten percent of their population is christian. This allows room for much expansion in the future. Even though there is room for expansion and Christian populations are overall growing in Asia, Jacobson brings attention to the fact that further growth may cause tensions with government.

The triple dialogue Jacobson references in Asian religion is the Christian theology in Asia to do their best to harmonize civic loyalty, retaining respect for those in other religions, and concern for the poor. This creates a unique form of Christianity. Asian Christians hold a strong faith in civic loyalty and constantly are reminding the majorities in Asia of that. They are constantly looking to achieve and remain having loyalty to Christ while continuing to have solidarity with their non-Christian neighbors and governments. Another thing that differentiates Asia from other Christian populations is Unlike North America, and other western countries it is common for Christians to hold conversations with people of different faiths and show them respect. In their dialogue with those of other religions they are casual, informal, and nonreligious all that matters in their dialogues with other religious groups is representing the gospel in action.

I think the west could learn the interfaith etiquette of those in Asia. Like Jacobson said the west still gets uncomfortable when they converse with those of other religions, and because Christianity is so prominent in North America it is not something that we often have to do. It could be beneficial to learn to communicate with all religious groups and not just learn to live side by side with them but create friendships and treat them the same as those who share your religion.