What is a new history of Christianity in China?
A New History of Christianity in China, written by one of the world’s the leading writers on Christianity in China, looks at Christianity’s long history in China, its extraordinarily rapid rise in the last half of the twentieth century, and charts its future direction.
Who is Daniel Bays and what does he do?
Daniel H. Bays is currently Professor of History and Director of the Asian Studies Program at Calvin College in Michigan. Previously he taught at the University of Kansas for 30 years. He is the author of several books on Chinese Christian history.
What is the fastest growing religion in China?
But Charbonnier’s focus is a bit more on Catholic Christianity and, today, the fastest growing religion in China is Protestant Christianity. At last, the authority of Christian history in China has put out his well-anticipated book.
Christianity in Pre-Modern China
Historians traced the emergence of Christianity in the first century AD (Johnson 14). It was founded by Jesus of Nazareth in the city of Jerusalem. It is important to remember this piece of information because, in this same century, the Apostle Thomas traveled to India to evangelize the people in that continent.
Christianity after the Cultural Revolution
From the 16 th century to the modern period, Roman Catholics and Protestants modeled a European version of Christianity to the people of China. European missionaries expected the emergence of a Christian religion that was influenced by Chinese culture. The same phenomenon is evident in other Christianized populations outside Europe.
Conclusion
The Chinese people adopted a form of Christianity from European missionaries. For several centuries, Roman Catholics and Protestants from the Western world modeled a type of Christianity that was practiced in Europe and America.
Works Cited
Bays, Daniel. A New History of Christianity in China, Malden, MA: John Wiley & Sons, 2012. Print.
Product Description
Until comparatively recently, Christianity had made few major inroads into Chinese culture. Bays, one of the world’s foremost authorities, expertly charts the history of outreaches: Nestorian, Jesuit, Protestant, Catholic, Russian Orthodox, and the underground church. Scrutinizes how Christianity survived Mao’s purges and its surprising resurgence.
Publisher’s Description
A New History of Christianity in China, written by one of the world’s the leading writers on Christianity in China, looks at Christianity’s long history in China, its extraordinarily rapid rise in the last half of the twentieth century, and charts its future direction.
Author Bio
Daniel H. Bays is currently Professor of History and Director of the Asian Studies Program at Calvin College in Michigan. Previously he taught at the University of Kansas for 30 years. He is the author of several books on Chinese Christian history.