Acknowledgments
This book is a revision of my PhD dissertation that I successfully defended in March 2023 at McMaster Divinity College. I thank God with deepest gratitude for his immeasurable love and grace, who called me and helped me in every aspect during this journey. May this monograph honor his Name and Word. I am wholeheartedly grateful to many people, who support me, pray for me, and encourage me, although I can only mention some of them in this limited space.
It is my privilege to have been able to study at MDC. I especially thank Dr. Stanley E. Porter, my primary supervisor, and Dr. Cynthia L. Westfall, my secondary supervisor, for their expertise, guidance, and mentorship. I would also like to thank other faculty members, Dr. Francis Pang, Dr. Christopher D. Land, Dr. Mark J. Boda, and Dr. Mary L. Conway, for their expertise and encouragement. As for my peers, I have much appreciation for Esther Cen and A. Moises Zumaeta, who fuelled my research with thought-provoking conversations.
I am truly indebted to Dr. Rocky Fong for his investment in me first as his student and then as his co-worker at the Canadian Chinese School of Theology, Tyndale University. Special thanks to Dr. Dennis Ngien for his constant prayers on my behalf. I wish to thank Professor Jonathan Webster, an influential linguist of Systemic Functional Linguistics, who introduced Rhetorical Structure Theory to me. In addition, I thank Dr. Steve Booth, my external examiner, for his insightful critiques and suggestions.
Most importantly, I must thank my husband, Rujun Xu, as well as my two great kids, Max and Maggie Xu, for their love and prayers. Without the tremendous support from my family, this work would not exist. With my love and gratitude, I dedicate this book to my husband and kids.