Jingjiao : the earliest Christian church in China / Glen L. Thompson

景教

"A history of Jingjiao, the first Christian church in China, covering its planting, flourishing, and rediscovery"-- Provided by publisher.

"A balanced, accessible, and thorough history of Jingjiao, the first Christian church in China. Many people assume that the first introduction of Christianity to the Chinese was part of nineteenth-century Western imperialism. In fact, Syriac-speaking Christians brought the gospel along the Silk Road into China in the seventh century. Glen L. Thompson introduces readers to the fascinating history of this early Eastern church, referred to as Jingjiao, or the 'Luminous Teaching.' Thompson presents the history of the Persian church's mission to China with rigor and clarity. While Christianity remained a minority and 'foreign' religion in the Middle Kingdom, it nonetheless attracted adherents among indigenous Chinese and received imperial approval during the Tang Dynasty. Though it was later suppressed alongside Buddhism, it resurfaced in China and Mongolia in the twelfth century. Thompson also discusses how the modern unearthing of Chinese Christian texts has stirred controversy over the meaning of Jingjiao to recent missionary efforts in China. In an accessible style, Thompson guides readers through primary sources as well as up-to-date scholarship. As the most recent and balanced survey on the topic available in English, 'Jingjiao' will be an indispensable resource to students of global Christianity and missiology."-- Provided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Foreword / Samuel N.C. Lieu -- Introduction: A story that needs telling--correctly -- The Syriac Church and its eastward mission -- The stele from Chang'an -- The Jingjiao is planted and grows -- New evidence emerges -- The teachings of the Jingjiao -- The Jingjiao under the Tang -- The Yelikewenjiao Revival under the Yuan -- Epilogue: So what? -- Appendix 1: The Chang'an stele -- Appendix 2: Figures and maps.

Mounted rubbing of the Xi'an stele erected in 781. There are three examples of this rubbing in the Ricci Institue collection. One was in the collection of Fr. Edwatd Malatesta, S.J.; the second in the collection of Dr. Jean-Paul Wiest; the third and oldest was in the collection of Fr. Francis Rouleau, S.J., who acquired it in China during his long residence there from 1929-1952. It is the best rendering of the three. Included in the Wiest copy are rubbings made ot the stele's two sides which contain later inscriptions but are often omitted as they are differently sized and drawn. Only the main sheet in mounted and on display.