Encountering China: the evolution of Timothy Richard's missionary thought (1870-1891)

In pursuit of the conversion of others, cross-cultural missionaries often experience their own “conversions.” This thesis explores the ways in which one particular missionary, the Welshman Timothy Richard (1845–1919), was transformed by his encounter with China. Focusing specifically on the evolution of his understanding and practice of Christian mission during the first half of his career with the Baptist Missionary Society, the study is structured chronologically in order to capture the important ways in which Richard’s experiences shaped his adaptations in mission. Each of Richard’s adaptations is examined within its appropriate historical and cultural context through analysis of his published and unpublished writings—all while paying careful attention to Richard’s identity as a Welsh Baptist missionary. This approach reveals that rather than softening his commitment to conversion in response to his encounters with China, Richard was driven by his persistent evangelical convictions to adapt his missionary methods in pursuit of greater results. When his experiences in Shandong and Shanxi provinces convinced him that Christianity fulfilled China’s own religious past and that God’s Kingdom promised blessings for souls in this life as well as in the next, Richard widened his theological horizons to incorporate these ideas without abandoning his essential understanding of the Christian gospel. As Richard adjusted to the realities of mission in the Chinese context, his growing empathy for Chinese people and their culture increasingly shaped his adaptations, ultimately leading him to advocate methods and emphases on the moral evidences for Christianity that were unacceptable to some of his missionary colleagues and to leaders in other missions, notably James Hudson Taylor. As the first critical work of length to focus on the early half of Richard’s missionary career, this thesis fills a gap in current scholarship on Victorian Protestant missions in China, offering a challenge to the simplistic conservative/liberal dichotomies often used to categorize missionaries. The revised picture of Richard that emerges reveals his original understanding of “the worthy” in Matthew 10, his indebtedness to Chinese sectarian religion, his early application of indigenous principles, his integration of evangelism and famine relief work, his relative unimportance in the China Inland Mission “Shanxi spirit” controversies of the 1880s, and—most significantly—his instrumental rather than evangelistic interest in the scholar-officials of China. By highlighting the priority of the Chinese (religious) context for Richard’s transformation, this thesis also contributes to the growing volume of historiography on Christianity in modern China that emphasizes the multidirectional influences present in the encounters between Christianity and Chinese culture and religion. Finally, connections between Richard’s evolution and changes taking place within the larger missionary community are also explored, situating Richard within wider discussions of accommodationism in mission, the rise of social Christianity, and evangelistic precursors to fulfillment theology.Accepted manuscrip

\u27Turning Hearts to Break Off the Yoke of Oppression\u27: The Travels and Sufferings of Christopher Meidel, c. 1659-c. 1715

This study of Christopher Meidel, a Norwegian Quaker writer imprisoned both in England and on the Continent for his beliefs and actions, explores the life of a convert to Quakerism and his missionary zeal in the early eighteenth century. From Meidel\u27s quite tempestuous career we receive insights into the issues Friends faced in Augustan England in adapting to life in a country whose inter-church relations were largely governed by the 1689 Toleration Act, and its insistence that recipients of toleration were to respect the rights of other religionists. In England and Wales, although not censured by Friends, Meidel\u27s activities were nevertheless in contrast to the increasingly respectable nature of the Society. This study questions whether his provocative behaviour was a return to the testimony of the first Friends. On the Continent, Meidel was warmly welcomed in some towns and cities, but also seen in others as a potential troublemaker and consequently imprisoned. Only the intervention ofleading Friends and of Prince George ofDenmark saved him from a lengthy term of incarceration. Undaunted by his trials, Meidel continued his proselytising in the early eighteenth century, and his career offers a fascinating insight into the continuing determination of missionary Quakers and their commitment to their beliefs

Evangelical Friend, April 1974 (Vol. 7, No. 8)

Editorials The theology of advertisements, \u27Buttoned down boredom\u27? Lest we forget. Page 5 Life Crises: Death The first of a series on how a Christian may meet life\u27s crises - written by those experiencing them. Page 6 A plea for balance Are there not inherent dangers in the overemphasis on what might be called speculative prophecy? Page 9 Fifteen myths about education A down-to-earth evaluation of our present educational system that could affect the Christian home and Sunday school. Page 10 Missionary Voice Research results 12Unworthy missionary motives 15Ground breaking for fellowship hall 16Recipe for a successful ladies\u27 missionary retreat 16World evangelism-by whom? 17 What\u27s New! Chapter two of the Vancouver story reveals an attendance average of 125 above a year ago. Page 18 Total commitment to Christ Let us preach and practice truth and honesty if we claim total commitment to Christ, our personal savior. Page 26 Regular Features News of Friends 2Friends Write 2The Face of the World 4The Children\u27s Page 19Friends Concerns 20Friends Gather 23 Friends Record 25 Books 26 Over the Teacup 27https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/nwym_evangelical_friend/1075/thumbnail.jp

Journal of African Christian Biography: v. 2, no. 4

A publication of the Dictionary of African Christian Biography with U.S. offices located at the Center for Global Christianity and Mission at Boston University. This issue focuses on: 1. The Martyrdom of Bernard Mizeki. 2. Bernard Mizeki. 3. Manche Masemola and Albert Luthuli: Iconic Figures of South African Christianity. 4. Manche Masemola. 5. Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli. 6. Multi-Talented Peacebuilder: Ambassador Dr. Bethuel A. Kiplagat. 7. Recent Print and Digital Resources Related to Christianity in Afric

Lessons Learned in Eurasia Ministry: Mostly the Hard Way

The present article is based on a speech delivered at a conference of the United Methodist Church: “Eurasia-Central Asia – In Mission Together,” Fulton, Maryland, May 5, 2017

After All, Africa is Largely a Nonliterate Continent : The Reception of Vatican II in Africa

The article examines critical factors that determined the impact, reception, and implementation of Vatican II in Africa. Drawing on historical accounts, the author identifies and analyzes personalities, contexts, and issues that conditioned and shaped Africa\u27s participation in the council. Looking back 50 years, he argues that while the continent\u27s participation was negligible, shaped by a combination of events and attitudes that either facilitated or hampered reception, concrete examples abound of how the council generated impetus for growth, renewal, and reform in inculturation, interreligious dialogue, theological reflection, and ecclesial collaboration in Africa

Christian Missions and Colonial Empires Reconsidered: A Black Evangelist in West Africa, 1766-1816

The article presents an exploration into the work of the late 18th-century West African Anglican missionary Philip Quaque and the relationship between imperialism and religion during the colonial era. The author points out and criticizes the dominant historiographical trend of over-conflating White imperialism with Christian missions. Quaque\u27s life and writings are examined, highlighting the lack of forced cultural conversion within his missionary activities. Discussion is also given regarding the complex identity dynamics within Quaque as a Christian and as an African

Comeback from Failure

John 21:1-2

Learning First, Technology Second: Enhancing Missionary Training Through Technology

This article describes how the missions agency EFCA ReachGlobal uses the open source online learning platform Moodle to train missionaries and to fulfill its goal to become a learning organization. Moodle is employed in three ways: online facilitated courses, collaboration zones and knowledge banks. Blended learning is also used, notably in ReachGlobal’s pre-field training for missionary candidates