Zhongguo Tian zhu jiao li shi yi wen ji

Discussion questions for Zhongguo Tian zhu jiao li shi yi wen ji

Bring these to your book club — or discuss them with readers on Readfeed.

1. 1

   How did the various essays in this collection illuminate the complex interplay between religious doctrine, political power, and cultural identity in China during the periods discussed?

2. 2

   The "Rites Controversy" is a recurring theme in the collection. What does this protracted debate reveal about the fundamental challenges of cross-cultural religious transmission, both from the perspective of the missionaries and the Chinese state and society?

3. 3

   Considering the periods of proscription mentioned, what strategies did missionaries and Chinese Catholics employ to sustain their faith and community, and what were the long-term consequences of these methods for the development of Catholicism in China?