A Dictionary of Asian Christianity

by Scott W. Sunquist (Editor), David Wu Chu Sing (Editor), John Chew Hiang Chea (Editor)

This superb dictionary is the first basic reference work for the study of Asian Christianity in the past and at present. Describing Christianity in the region from Pakistan to Japan and from Mongolia to Indonesia, this volume's 1,260 signed articles include biographies of important Asian church leaders as well as reliable, up-to-date information on the political, cultural, and religious movements that have shaped the Christian faith in this part of the world. Uniquely capturing the 2,000-year history of Christianity in Asia, this work shows how Christianity has impacted Asian cultures as well as how those cultures have in turn shaped Christianity. Written by nearly 500 Asian scholars from 18 Asian countries and by those whose primary work has been in Asia, the articles gathered here directly reflect the perspectives of Asians living in the region — often as part of minority communities. The full sweep of Christianity is explored, including its consequential encounters with Asian political movements, cultural practices, and indigenous religions. Some of the articles identify the important role of particular leaders, both Christian and non-Christian, while other articles examine large-scale developments in Asian Christianity during the past two millennia. Maps, cross-references, and bibliographies enhance the usefulness of the volume. In a time when the Christian faith is being transformed by the vitality of non-Western Christian movements, and as new forms of ecumenical cooperation are emerging, the Dictionary of Asian Christianity provides the single best point of reference for understanding Asia's contribution to global Christianity.

Genres: Reference

989 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

Scott W. Sunquist (PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary) is dean of the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He previously served as professor of world Christianity at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Sunquist is the author of numerous articles and coauthor, with Dale Irvin, of the multivolume History of the World Christian Movement. He is also coeditor of A Dictionary of Asian Christianity.

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful and unusual resource for researchers of the (foreign and national) Christian movement in China.