EMQ » October–December 2020 » Volume 56 Issue 4
Edited by Paul H. De Neui
William Carey Publishing, 2020
232 pages
USD $17.99
Reviewed by Birgit Herppich, Affiliate Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies Fuller Theological Seminary, International Membership Department Coordinator WEC International.
The first part focuses on key people in Asian mission history, the second part on regional overviews. Each chapter outlines the events and draws lessons and missiological conclusions. These reflections on missionary thought and methodology in Asian history are highly valuable and applicable for not only those interested in the historical and geographical context covered by each chapter, but also for a broad missionary audience.
A surprising first chapter recounts the history of the exponential spread of Buddhism in the third century BCE that any missionary among Buddhist peoples should be aware of. It shows that we can learn from the missionary efforts of other religious movements – in this case, things like the persuasive power of a drastic conversion, living out attractive ethics, respectful treatment of everyone, and engaging in meaningful dialogue with people of other convictions.
There are excellent chapters on the Jesuits’ daring contextualization in China and Tibet, “karmic monastic communities” in China, and unintended offenses in missionary communication in Thailand. There are also very helpful overviews and analyses of history of missions in Southeast Asia, China, Tibet, and Cambodia, a fascinating chapter on the effects of the Taiping Uprising (1850–64), and an astute analysis of causes behind the severe persecution of “Kirishitans” in Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868). The final chapter contrasts the generally individualistic outlook and dualistic approach in the West with the collective identity and holistic view of reality in Asian Buddhist countries.
Local voices are represented in several chapters directly as most authors are either Asian or have lived and worked in Asia for many years. However, the contributions of indigenous mission agencies would be worthy of greater exploration. One chapter explicitly presents the work of three Thai missionaries, but unfortunately, it does not fully address the issues that indigenous Christian workers may encounter dealing with foreign missions. Many chapters are long on the historical account of events and could have investigated contemporary missiological implications in more depth.
Several common themes surface repeatedly: The complications often brought to Christian missions by geopolitical circumstances, conflicts, and relationships, and the need to understand and study other cultures and religions, their language, writings and thought patterns. Many chapters emphasize the crucial importance of respect towards and an honest, open dialogue with people of other convictions. Finally, especially for Western missionaries in Asia, it is essential to understand the collectivistic culture and identity which is so different from Western individualism and strategic approaches to mission.
Overall, it is greatly encouraging to observe that, despite persecutions, political upheavals, strong competing religious convictions among Christians, and the mistakes and failures of missionaries, God has built his church throughout Asia, a church that is already sending out many missionaries to other parts of the world.
This highly valuable collection gives the readers much food for thought and encourages them to continue exploring lessons from missions in Asia (and elsewhere), in order to more respectfully, insightfully, and sensitively engage with people in Asian Buddhist cultures. By doing this, we will be more successful in introducing people to the wonderful good news of Jesus Christ.
EMQ, Volume 56, Issue 4. Copyright © 2020 by Missio Nexus. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from Missio Nexus. Email: EMQ@MissioNexus.org.
