Publisher Description

This volume explores Chinese Christianity—or Chinese Christianities—in a variety of forms and expressions, including those from outside the geopolitical boundaries of mainland China. Advancing a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Chinese churches, the essays collected here engage many historical, sociological, cultural, and theological contingencies. The collection includes historical discussions of the early-20th-century encounters of Protestant and Catholic missionaries in China and the rise of Christianity among Malaysian Chinese and British Chinese communities. Essays examine the thinking of K. H. Ting (or Ding Guangxun), often remembered for his leadership in the Three-Self Patriotic Movement in the 1980s–90s, by revisiting his earlier theology and approach to the Bible in the 1930s–50s. These retrospectives give way to contemporary explorations into how Chinese churches negotiate their urban identities amidst the complexities of globalization in Chengdu and Shanghai, as well as in Vancouver, Canada. Taken as a whole, this collection offers close examinations into various aspects of Chinese Christianity's complex picture, helping readers to recognize the many shades and colors of the global Chinese Church. 

Back Cover

This volume explores Chinese Christianity--or Chinese Christianit ies --in a variety of forms and expressions, including those from outside mainland China. Advancing a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Chinese churches, the essays collected here engage many historical, sociological, cultural, and theological contingencies. The collection includes historical discussions of the early-20th-century encounters of Protestant and Catholic missionaries in China and the rise of Christianity among Malaysian Chinese and British Chinese communities, and revisiting K. H. Ting (or Ding Guangxun) from his theology and approach to the Bible in the 1930s-50s. These retrospectives give way to contemporary explorations into how Chinese churches in Shanghai and Vancouver negotiate their urban identities amidst the complexities of globalization. As a whole, this anthology interrogates Chinese Christianity's complex picture, helping readers to recognize the many shades and colors of the global Chinese Church. Alexander Chow is Senior Lecturer in Theology and World Christianity in the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, UK, and Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of World Christianity. Easten Law is Assistant Director for Academic Programs at Overseas Ministries Study Center (OMSC) at Princeton Theological Seminary, USA. Alexander Chow is Senior Lecturer in Theology and World Christianity in the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, UK, and Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of World Christianity. Easten Law is Assistant Director for Academic Programs at Overseas Ministries Study Center (OMSC) at Princeton Theological Seminary, USA.

Author Biography

Alexander Chow is Senior Lecturer in Theology and World Christianity in the School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh, UK, and Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of World Christianity. Easten Law is Assistant Director for Academic Programs at Overseas Ministries Study Center (OMSC) at Princeton Theological Seminary, USA.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction: Ecclesial Diversity and Theology in Chinese Christianity.- Chapter 2: Christian Missions' Encounter with High Chinese Culture 1900-1914.- Chapter 3: Catholic Apologetic Mission in Pre-Vatican II China: A Study of Two Chinese Catholic Texts.- Chapter 4: Diasporic Chinese (Huaqiao ') or Multicultural Malaysian? The Challenges of being Chinese and Christian in Malaysia Today.- Chapter 5: British Immigration Policies and British Chinese Christianity.- Chapter 6: The Politics of Jesus' Love: K. H. Ting, Contextual Interpretation of the Gospels and Images of Jesus in Modern China.- Chapter 7: The Politics of Space: Affect, Church Membership, and Ecclesial Identity in Contemporary Chinese Reformed Churches.- Chapter 8: Isolation and Outreach: Christian Churches in Shanghai, and Beyond.- Chapter 9: "Fraught" Chineseness: "Chinese Christians" in The Vancouver Sun.- Chapter 10: Afterword: Christianity inChina: Pathways, Problems and Prospects.

Review

"A major contribution of this book is that three articles in this category have been collected by the editors, who themselves happen to have 'overseas Chinese' backgrounds. … the editors deserve our appreciation for their contributions … . This book illustrates a wider perspective on missionary attitudes toward a changing China … . The book examines various cases through modern, interdisciplinary, and global lenses. … the book opens a fresh and healthy horizon for future studies in this field." (Peter Chen-Main Wang, Ching Feng - A Journal on Christianity and Chinese Religion and Culture, March 12, 2023)

Feature

Advances a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of the Chinese Church Examines Chinese Christianity from historical, sociological, cultural, and theological perspectives Explores how Chinese churches negotiate their urban identities amidst the complexities of globalization

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