A new book series by Notre Dame Press in collaboration with the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies will examine several denominations of Christianity in modern China. The Liu Institute Series in Chinese Christianities launches in fall 2021 with Schism: Seventh-day Adventism in Post-Denominational China by Christie Chui-Shan Chow.
It is expected that nine books will follow, released approximately one per year. Alexander Chow, senior lecturer in theology and world Christianity at the University of Edinburgh, serves as the series editor.
“This series fits perfectly into the mission and programming of the Liu Institute, and we are honored to partner with Notre Dame Press for these important examinations of Christianity in China,” said Michel Hockx, director of the Liu Institute. “We understand the crucial importance of religion in Asia and have hosted expert lectures on Catholicism in China in particular. This series will expand our focus to other denominations and their significance in China and its diaspora.”
Christianity is the fastest growing religion in mainland China and a large, linguistically and culturally diverse Chinese diaspora, which encompasses more than a fifth of the world’s population. Still, the academic world has been slow to take into account the role of Chinese Christians and their distinctly Chinese interpretation Christianity in examining world Christianity. This series will feature titles that offer new perspectives on the vast and expanding field of Chinese Christianities in all their diverse forms, providing a forum for cross-disciplinary conversation.
Books are welcome to this open series from a variety of disciplinary approaches, including but not limited to historical, theological, social scientific, and sinological perspectives.
Schism, to be launched on October 15, is the first monograph that documents the life of the Chinese Adventist denomination from the mid-1970s to the 2010s, and explores how Chinese Seventh-day Adventists have used schism as a tool to retain, revive, and recast their unique ecclesial identity in a religious habitat that resists diversity. Preorders are available.
The Liu Institute and Notre Dame Press will launch Schism with an event in the fall. For more information, please check asia.nd.edu in late summer or sign up for the Institute newsletter at https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/1925396/1750897/
Originally published by at asia.nd.edu on April 20, 2021.