"The reception and translation of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity in Tang China" / Xie Dingjian

Published in Modern Theology. 2025

Online Version of Record before inclusion in an issue

Abstract:
Due to historical controversies and entanglements, previous scholarship has primarily focused on the Christology of the Church of the East and its potential reception within Christianity in Tang China (618–907), known as Jingjiao in Chinese. In contrast, this article highlights the Nicene foundation of Tang-era Christianity, as evidenced by the first Chinese translations of Trinitarian terminology in theological and liturgical texts produced by Christians of that era. It argues that Tang Christianity's translation and reception of the doctrine of the Trinity not only aligned with the broader Christian tradition but also engaged with contemporary Mahāyāna Buddhist discourse on “body,” thereby showing interreligious influence within the Tang Chinese context. Moreover, this analysis illustrates how continuities and discontinuities emerged during the process of translating Christian doctrine into a new language, emphasizing the “translatability” of the Christian faith and its significance in the development of Christian theology. Rendering the mystery of the Trinity can also create space for meaningful engagement with other faith traditions