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Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity
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Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity

A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 16657

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Qinghe Xiao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for the Study of Religion and Chinese Society, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
Interests: history of Christianity in China (especially in Ming and Qing)
Dr. Naomi Thurston

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Divinity School of Chung Chi College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Interests: history of Christianity in Modern China

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

According to Chen Yuan, the history of Chinese Christianity can be divided into four stages, namely, Jingjiao (景教)/the Church of the East in the Tang dynasty, Yeli kewen (the people who believed in Gospels) during the Yuan Dynasty, Catholicism during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and Protestantism in the late Qing dynasty. Different manifestations of Chinese Christianity during these four stages left behind voluminous texts in Chinese and other languages, which became the basis for the study of the history of Chinese Christianity. In this Special Issue of Religions, we aim to revisit the history of Chinese Christianity based on these texts, their interpretations, reception histories, indigenous influence and inter-developments with the historical communities who adopted, composed, adapted, or transmitted them. This includes a focus on indigenous Chinese Christian texts, whether proselytical, liturgical, literary, or doctrinal, etc., as well as Chinese-authored texts on the history of the Chinese Church, theological works and writings dealing with the reception of particular Christian theologies or denominational Christianity. Contributions may also cover reflections on, journeys of, and responses to such texts in Chinese Christian history, particularly from Chinese linguistic and cultural perspectives. In this sense, the proposed issue distinguishes itself from related upcoming Special Issues in Religions, whose focus in on a particular period in Chinese mission and local Christian histories and their historiographies (see here), or theology, interreligious dialogue, and biblical studies in distinct periods of Chinese-Christian encounters from antiquity to May 4th and contemporary China (see here). Our proposed concentration aims to filter out some of the core concepts within textual, reception, and hermeneutical histories of Chinese Christianities by employing methods of historical research, textual analysis, and sociological and anthropological approaches rather than reflecting theological concerns or isolating a certain historical period.

We are pleased to invite you to submit manuscripts to a Special Issue entitled “Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity” to promote the research in this field.

This Special Issue aims to sort out the basic texts of the history of Chinese Christianity and their various interpretations, and to explore significant topics through the lens of cultural exchange and mutual appreciation of civilizations, such as publication, collection and circulation of books and other writings, core texts, terms and different interpretations, key concepts and their receptions and reactions, texts, and communities of Chinese Christians and other related topics are also welcomed. The basic methods of research will include textual analysis, as well as historical, philosophical, sociological, and anthropological approaches.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

  1. The basic texts of the history of Chinese Christianity: composition, publication, collection, (re-)printing, circulation, and influences;
  2. The history of books and other writings of Chinese Christianity in Chinese and other languages;
  3. The core terms, concepts and ideas expressed in Chinese Christian texts and their different understandings, interpretations and responses in Chinese and Western societies;
  4. The relationship between texts and communities and their influences on the development of Chinese Christianity.
  5. The reception, reinvention, and transmission of Christian theology in Chinese Christian communities.
  6. Indigenous Chinese Christian literary works, Chinese Christian liturgy, including hymns and hymnals, doxologies, Christian devotional writings, sermon texts, transcripts of Christian testimonies
  7. Texts relating to Christian institutions and institutionalization

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Qinghe Xiao
Dr. Naomi Thurston
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • texts
  • interpretations
  • Chinese Christianity
  • core terms and concepts
  • theological reception
  • recep-tion history
  • hymns
  • Chinese Christian literature

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 313 KiB  
Article
Overcoming the Patronage System: Propaganda Fide and Its Portuguese Patronage Documents on China in the Early Modern Period
by Rui Zhang
Religions 2024, 15(8), 959; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15080959 - 7 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 936
Abstract
From its foundation in 1622, the Congregation de Propaganda Fide held supreme jurisdiction over all missionary activities of the Catholic Church at the global level, with authority coming directly from the pope. Its main goals were the expansion of the Catholic faith, the [...] Read more.
From its foundation in 1622, the Congregation de Propaganda Fide held supreme jurisdiction over all missionary activities of the Catholic Church at the global level, with authority coming directly from the pope. Its main goals were the expansion of the Catholic faith, the reaffirmation of papal spiritual primacy, and the promotion of Indigenous clergy throughout the world, which put Propaganda Fide in direct competition with secular rulers who also wanted to control missionary activities in their overseas territories. This article will examine one such conflict, namely that regarding Portugal and its royal patronage system in China. The Historical Archive of Propaganda Fide in the Vatican City holds extensive material concerning Portuguese patronage and China, which has remained relatively unknown and understudied. Through an examination of several of the most significant documents, such as the formal terms sent by the Portuguese court to the Holy See, the response of Propaganda Fide, and the final declaration of the Holy See, which would become the cornerstone for all future decisions over the patronage system, it is suggested that these negotiations about China are in fact central to a wider shift in global Catholic policy and politics in the field of missionary activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
13 pages, 365 KiB  
Article
Apostolate through Books: The Translation Practice by Catholicism during Late Ming and Early Qing
by Yafeng Li, Jingmin Fu and Jiyun Huang
Religions 2024, 15(8), 905; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15080905 - 26 Jul 2024
Viewed by 957
Abstract
Catholicism during the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties is the most fascinating chapter in the development history of Christian culture in China. Apostolate through books emerged as a prominent method of Sino-West cultural exchange during that time. Apostolate through books by Catholicism [...] Read more.
Catholicism during the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties is the most fascinating chapter in the development history of Christian culture in China. Apostolate through books emerged as a prominent method of Sino-West cultural exchange during that time. Apostolate through books by Catholicism was realized by means of translation practice, leading to a notable religious influence. Based on this perspective, this paper discusses the history and connotation of apostolate through books, particularly focusing on the characteristics of apostolate through books by Catholicism during the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. In achieving this, this research shows the translation motivation and translation effect of apostolate through books during the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. Furthermore, this paper emphasizes that the translation practice of apostolate through books by Catholicism has laid a good foundation for the sinicization and acceptance of Catholicism in China, highlighting the relationship between apostolate through books by Catholicism and the sinicization of Christian culture, so as to enlighten the internationalization of religious culture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
20 pages, 375 KiB  
Article
Dialogues on the Issues of Theodicy in Late Ming Fujian
by Qinghe Xiao
Religions 2024, 15(7), 851; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15070851 - 15 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 745
Abstract
This paper aims to illustrate the dialogues on the issues of theodicy in late Ming Fujian. The Catholicism that entered China in the late Ming dynasty had a competitive relationship with indigenous religions in terms of their meaning systems. Catholicism emphasized the omniscience, [...] Read more.
This paper aims to illustrate the dialogues on the issues of theodicy in late Ming Fujian. The Catholicism that entered China in the late Ming dynasty had a competitive relationship with indigenous religions in terms of their meaning systems. Catholicism emphasized the omniscience, omnibenevolence, and omnipotence of God, which created tensions and contradictions with the reality of phenomena such as the suffering of good people and the existence of evil. In the late Ming period, scholars, believers, and missionaries in the Fujian region engaged in deep exchanges and dialogues on theodicy, reflecting the significant attention and consideration given to the problem of evil. This paper first analyzes the dialogues on theodicy between the Fujian scholar Ye Xianggao (1559–1627) and the missionary Giulio Aleni (1582–1649). Next, it explores the discussions on the problem of evil between ordinary believers in the Fujian region and Giulio Aleni in their daily lives. Finally, it examines how anti-Catholics used the problem of evil to criticize Catholicism, and it also identifies the characteristics and impacts of Catholic theodicy in the late Ming and early Qing periods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
18 pages, 363 KiB  
Article
An Analysis of Jesuit Missionary Aleni’s Interpretation of Aristotelian Theory of Perception: Based on Xingxue Cushu in Late Ming China
by Qi Zhao
Religions 2024, 15(6), 710; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15060710 - 7 Jun 2024
Viewed by 731
Abstract
In Xingxue cushu, Aleni devotes himself to elucidating Aristotle’s theory of perception as presented in De Anima and Parva Naturalia. The challenge in this endeavor lies in understanding the essence of Aristotle’s perception, with physicalism and spiritualism holding opposite positions. To [...] Read more.
In Xingxue cushu, Aleni devotes himself to elucidating Aristotle’s theory of perception as presented in De Anima and Parva Naturalia. The challenge in this endeavor lies in understanding the essence of Aristotle’s perception, with physicalism and spiritualism holding opposite positions. To reconcile this contradiction, some scholars approach it from the perspective of dualism and the impurity principle. Nevertheless, these interpretations fail to resolve the inherent dilemma of perception. This article employs the pattern of combination and separation to propose that Aleni’s interpretation of this dilemma is effective and clarifies the controversy. Perception encompasses both psychological and physical dimensions, and the two are based on each other in the process of actualization. Nonetheless, psychological and physical activities are separated in the definition. Influenced by Confucianism, Aleni associates human perception with morality, further emphasizing the necessity of definitional separation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
19 pages, 375 KiB  
Article
The Reception History of The Seven Victories and the Localization of The Seven Victories Spiritual Cultivation
by Siyi Han, Chen Liu and Yaping Zhou
Religions 2024, 15(5), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15050575 - 1 May 2024
Viewed by 1188
Abstract
The Seven Victories is one of the most influential works in Catholic literature from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The seven victories spiritual cultivation contained therein is the result of the localization of the practice of the Christian faith in the [...] Read more.
The Seven Victories is one of the most influential works in Catholic literature from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The seven victories spiritual cultivation contained therein is the result of the localization of the practice of the Christian faith in the West. It is still a living tradition in the Christian religion and even in Western culture. Since the end of the Ming Dynasty, The Seven Victories has aroused significant repercussions in the ecclesiastical and academic worlds. Some scholars converted to Catholicism because of The Seven Victories and wrote preambles in response to it; some scholars wrote essays criticizing the ethical ideas of The Seven Victories; and some scholars were inspired by The Seven Victories to write about Confucian ideas of sin, the work of reform, and the liturgy of repentance. Together, these constitute the history of the reception of The Seven Victories in China. Through Confucian culture integration, Chinese Christian scholars have developed a localized interpretation of the seven victories spiritual cultivation, resulting in a localized Chinese spiritual cultivation of sin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
14 pages, 268 KiB  
Article
The Interpretation of Watchman Nee’s Anthropology and Its Corresponding Ecclesiastical Influence in Contemporary Chinese Mainland Churches
by Ruixiang Li and Paulos Huang
Religions 2024, 15(5), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15050570 - 30 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1466
Abstract
Watchman Nee’s anthropology has been widely debated and polarized in academic fields. However, Watchman Nee’s concept of human and the problem of ecclesiastical practices have often been overlooked in contemporary Chinese mainland churches. In the first three sections, this paper will start from [...] Read more.
Watchman Nee’s anthropology has been widely debated and polarized in academic fields. However, Watchman Nee’s concept of human and the problem of ecclesiastical practices have often been overlooked in contemporary Chinese mainland churches. In the first three sections, this paper will start from different Chinese mainland denominations’ interpretation of Nee’s concept of human and their corresponding ecclesiastical practices. On the one hand, through the interpretive attitudes of different denominations toward the “concept of human” and their related ecclesiastical practices, we can see the situation of acceptance of Nee’s anthropology in different contemporary Chinese denominations. On the other hand, we can also provide feedback for the academic research on Nee’s anthropology from the reality of contemporary Chinese mainland churches. Then, this paper will make a comparison of anthropologies between Luther and Watchman Nee, referring to the current study of Martin Luther and the Third Enlightenment in China. The comparative study of these two men will not only open up new avenues for the study of their theologies but will also serve Chinese mainland churches by utilizing the results of the research on Nee’s thoughts and Martin Luther and the Third Enlightenment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
22 pages, 459 KiB  
Article
The Prolonged Path of Indigenization: A Study on German Protestant Missionary Ernst Faber’s Chinese Literary Works
by Ruotong Shi and Hanyi Zhang
Religions 2024, 15(5), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15050563 - 30 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1245
Abstract
Ernst Faber’s 34 years of literary missionary works reveal his commitment to refining his approach to indigenizing Christianity in China. Employing three linguistic and cultural adaptation strategies—translation and commentary of the Bible, examination and analysis of missionary practical outcomes in Western society, and [...] Read more.
Ernst Faber’s 34 years of literary missionary works reveal his commitment to refining his approach to indigenizing Christianity in China. Employing three linguistic and cultural adaptation strategies—translation and commentary of the Bible, examination and analysis of missionary practical outcomes in Western society, and the revision and reinterpretation of Chinese classics incorporating Christian insights—Faber adapted his methods gradually into China’s specific conditions, indicating a prolonged path of indigenization. Despite expressing appreciation for Chinese culture, a critical examination reveals the preservation of his cultural biases and an unwavering commitment to Christianity as a means of purifying and enriching the spirit of the Chinese people. Rooted in the political context of his time and confidence in European historical world missions, Faber’s indigenization strategy in his Chinese literary works represents an interplay of cultural adaptation and resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
16 pages, 393 KiB  
Article
Accommodation Strategies in Education: Exploring Jesuit Textbook Publication in Modern Shanghai
by Wei Mo
Religions 2024, 15(4), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15040385 - 22 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1170
Abstract
This study examines the Jesuits’ significant contributions to China’s modernization through their involvement in textbook publication. It analyzes a recently discovered historical Catalogus of 1934 written in Latin to uncover insights. Specifically, it explores how the Jesuit T`ou-sè-wè Press in Shanghai responded to [...] Read more.
This study examines the Jesuits’ significant contributions to China’s modernization through their involvement in textbook publication. It analyzes a recently discovered historical Catalogus of 1934 written in Latin to uncover insights. Specifically, it explores how the Jesuit T`ou-sè-wè Press in Shanghai responded to changes in education, society, and the interplay of religious and political forces. By investigating the Jesuits’ strategic adaptations in their educational and cultural pursuits, revised compilation and publishing methods, and proactive engagement with the dynamic environment, this study aims to provide a deeper understanding of their approach. Additionally, it investigates the nuanced accommodation strategies employed by the T`ou-sè-wè Press to navigate the complex challenges of the era. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
23 pages, 9767 KiB  
Article
The Images of Jesus and the Virgin Mary in the Early Qing Collection of Taoist Immortal Stories
by Dadui Yao
Religions 2024, 15(3), 370; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15030370 - 20 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1698
Abstract
The book Lidai Shenxian Tongjian (The Comprehensive Mirror of Immortals Throughout the Dynasties), a compilation of Taoist narratives from the early Qing dynasty, contains a dedicated section on “The Life of Jesus,” accompanied by two images portraying Jesus and the Virgin [...] Read more.
The book Lidai Shenxian Tongjian (The Comprehensive Mirror of Immortals Throughout the Dynasties), a compilation of Taoist narratives from the early Qing dynasty, contains a dedicated section on “The Life of Jesus,” accompanied by two images portraying Jesus and the Virgin Mary. “The Life of Jesus” is believed to have originated from Gaspar Ferreira’s Nianzhu Guicheng (Rule for the Recitation of the Rosary) and Diego de Pantoja’s Tianzhu Yesu Shounan Shimo (The Passion of the Lord Jesus). The narratives and images of Christian content within Tongjian showcase the influence of Chinese Ming–Qing Taoist immortal stories and the indigenization of Christianity that resulted in a fusion of Chinese and Western cultural elements. Multiple versions of the accompanying images exist in different editions of Tongjian, indicating an evolution in the depictions of Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Through a comparative analysis of these images and their variations, we can glean valuable insights into the Qing dynasty editors’ reception of Western culture, shedding light on the process of localizing Christianity during the Ming–Qing period and emphasizing the significance of the cultural exchange and mutual understanding between Chinese and Western civilizations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
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15 pages, 824 KiB  
Article
Pedro de la Piñuela’s Bencao Bu and the Cultural Exchanges between China and the West
by Junyang Ye
Religions 2024, 15(3), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15030343 - 12 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1188
Abstract
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Catholic missionaries in China adopted the strategy of cultural accommodation and engaged in extensive interactions with Chinese literati and the general population in order to integrate into Chinese society. They left numerous writings in the Chinese language, [...] Read more.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Catholic missionaries in China adopted the strategy of cultural accommodation and engaged in extensive interactions with Chinese literati and the general population in order to integrate into Chinese society. They left numerous writings in the Chinese language, objectively promoting cultural exchanges between the East and the West. This article focuses on the pharmacological work Bencao Bu (本草補, Supplement to Chinese Materia Medica) by Spanish Franciscan Pedro de la Piñuela (石鐸琭, Shi Duolu, 1650–1704). The article argues that, in addition to questioning whether the works in Chinese left by missionaries have contributed to the progress of Chinese society in science, medicine, humanities and other aspects, we should also explore the process of encounter between two different cultures. Although Bencao Bu did not significantly advance Chinese medicine, la Piñuela incorporated elements of Chinese culture into the book and made an initial attempt to apply Chinese medical concepts in diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the book not only introduced certain Western scientific knowledge and pharmaceutical techniques but also could be considered the epitome of the global exchange of botanical knowledge and medical experiences, promoting mutual understanding between different parts of the world. This underscores the cultural significance beyond religious purposes found in Bencao Bu as well as other scientific and cultural works by missionaries during the Ming and Qing periods in China. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
16 pages, 970 KiB  
Article
The Parable of Wise and Foolish Builders in Yishen Lun and Rabbinic Literature
by David Tam
Religions 2024, 15(1), 107; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15010107 - 15 Jan 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1144
Abstract
The paper undertakes a comparative analysis of the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders as presented in three distinct sources: the seventh-century Dunhuang manuscript Yishen Lun (Discourse on God), the sixth-century rabbinic text Avot D’Rabbi Nathan, and the Gospels (Matthew and [...] Read more.
The paper undertakes a comparative analysis of the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders as presented in three distinct sources: the seventh-century Dunhuang manuscript Yishen Lun (Discourse on God), the sixth-century rabbinic text Avot D’Rabbi Nathan, and the Gospels (Matthew and Luke) of the Christian Bible. It explores the imagery used, piety taught, and worldviews conveyed in these renditions, concluding that the version in Yishen Lun shares a closer resemblance with the one in rabbinic literature than with the Gospels. This discovery, in conjunction with previously published findings by the author, challenges the conventional classification of Yishen Lun as an “Aluoben document” (or a Jingjiao document, for that matter), underscoring the need for further research and inquiry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
23 pages, 991 KiB  
Article
Sessō Sōsai and the Chinese Anti-Christian Discourse
by Qiaoyu Han
Religions 2023, 14(8), 1058; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel14081058 - 18 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1523
Abstract
The early Tokugawa period witnessed the establishment of anti-Christian policy as a significant agenda. In 1647, Sessō Sōsai, a Zen monk, undertook the task of delivering sermons in Nagasaki, aiming to convert the local population to Buddhism. Following his preaching, Sessō authored two [...] Read more.
The early Tokugawa period witnessed the establishment of anti-Christian policy as a significant agenda. In 1647, Sessō Sōsai, a Zen monk, undertook the task of delivering sermons in Nagasaki, aiming to convert the local population to Buddhism. Following his preaching, Sessō authored two anti-Christian texts, with the second text reflecting a pronounced influence from Chinese Buddhist anti-Christian discourse. This article seeks to explore the correlation between Sessō’s anti-Christian writings and his engagement with the Chinese Buddhist community in Nagasaki. By delving into the analysis of personal networks, this study illustrates Sessō’s familiarity with the evolution of Buddhism in China and his incorporation of ideas from the Chinese Buddhist anti-Christian movement during his time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Texts, Interpretations, and Reception Histories in Chinese Christianity)
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