Christianities in Asia

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course studies the varieties of Christianity (hence, the plural: Christianities) in Asia. Its two main foci are history and theology. Some basic questions for discussion are: - Which Asia? Which countries make up “Asia”? - Characteristics of Asia: geography, population, economics, politics, migrations, cultures, and religions. - Which Christianity? Orthodox, Catholics, Protestants (mainline denominations), Evangelicals, Pentecostals, Independents (Asian Christianities in their diversities). - When did Christianity first come to the countries of Asia (History of Christian missions)? - What are the major developments of Christianities in Asian countries and what are their main characteristics (Asian local churches)? - Who are the key players, both foreign and native, in each country (expatriate missionaries and indigenous leaders)? - What contributions have Christianity made to the economic, social, and political sectors of these Asian countries (development, liberation, peace-building, reconciliation)? - How is Christianity incarnated in Asian cultures (inculturation)? - How do Asian Christians relate to the believers of other religions, in particular Hinduism, Buddhism, and Chinese religious traditions (interreligious dialogue)? - How do the Asian churches relate to the local governments (church-state relations, colonialism, national independence, democracy, Communism, church-state relations)? - Which are the greatest challenges and opportunities for Christian theology (an Asian theology)?