Using mainly hitherto unstudied primary materials, this monograph studies a very significant episode in Chinese Christianity. Focusing on the origins and earliest history of Protestantism in South Fujian, this analytical-critical study investigates the evolution of the churches which pioneered in indigenisation and ecclesiastical union in China during the nineteenth century.
Some subjects studied are primitive missionary objectives and methods, the relationship between the âTalmage idealâ and the Three-self concept, and the nature and dynamics of ânativeâ religious work. Extremely useful is the critical assessment of South Fujian in terms of self-propagation, self-government, self-support and organic union. The key areas suggested for future research are also quite thought-provoking. The volume is especially valuable to social and church historians, missiologists and sociologists.
David Cheung, Ph.D. (University of London), teaches at Asian Theological Seminary, Philippines and is a contributor to the Handbook of Christianity in China, Volume 2 (Brill, forthcoming).
Readers interested in Christian missions, Christianity in China, missiological methods, the indigenisation of Christianity in the non-Western world, ecclesiastical devolution by Western Christian missions, the modern ecumenical movement.