Abstract

On Friday, 26 August 2021, a small group of about seventy people gathered at the Aberdeen Methodist Church to pay their last respects and celebrate the remarkable life of Andrew Walls, known to many as the beloved “Prof.” COVID-19 restrictions made it necessary to limit the number of attendants. If the tributes that poured in online are any reflection of how people valued and loved Andrew Walls, his would have been one of the most attended funerals, bringing together people from all continents as a testament to the many years of his ministry in the academic discipline of World Christianity. It was a surreal moment of utmost humility, deeply characteristic of Prof Walls’ life. One speaker after another told memorable stories of how Andrew Walls had touched their lives in one way or another. Stories from around the world poured forth, appreciating his long life and the many good deeds upon which that life was grounded. Those in attendance who had enjoyed an academic relationship with Andrew Walls spoke of his generously intentional preferential option for marginalized histories of Christianity in the world, and how he worked tirelessly to name and highlight those histories. In doing so, he strived to correct the ways in which the history of Christianity has been distorted so that it appears to be the history of European Christianity.

Key Points

• Andrew Walls significantly impacted the discourse on marginalized histories of Christianity.
• His focus on voicing lesser-known narratives reshaped the understanding of global Christian history.
• The gathering at Aberdeen Methodist Church included tributes highlighting his unyielding dedication to academia.
• His efforts aimed to correct historical distortions regarding Christianity’s origins and development.