Studies in World Christianity and Interreligious Relations: Confucianism and Christianity

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This book explores three broad themes of Confucian-Christian relations to enhance the understanding of the church's theology of mission. While the themes are theological, the dialogue adopts an interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes listening. Part I provides essential historical context for contemporary Confucian-Christian dialogues, examining the history of their relations, the Chinese Rites Controversy, and the efforts of Sino-Christian theologians to indigenize Christianity. Part II compares key elements from both traditions that represent spiritual development, discussing the Confucian practice of rites (li), the concept of the noble person (junzi), and the understanding of sageliness (shengren). Part III focuses on the church's engagement with the world, advocating for a Confucian-Christian hermeneutic of moral goodness, highlighting the importance of moral self-cultivation in Confucianism, and suggesting that Confucian virtue ethics can illuminate Christian moral living. It also presents a Confucian-Christian perspective on caring for the environment. This work is ideal for lecturers and students in Christian and Confucian studies, as well as those involved in mission and interfaith studies, and serves as a valuable resource for comparative religious and theological exploration of Christianity and Confucianism.