Routledge Christian Heretics in Late Imperial China Book

Explore the complex history of faith and state control in this scholarly work from Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia. Following the 1724 prohibition of missionary activity, Chinese Christian communities faced total isolation from foreign theological guidance. This period of separation forced local believers to become self-reliant in maintaining their core religious principles. This book examines how these isolated communities developed unique, indigenous traditions rooted in their Christian ancestry. By studying this era from 1720 to 1850, readers gain insight into the process of inculturation, comparing the development of Chinese Christianity to previous religious traditions like Buddhism and Judaism. It provides a deep look at how religious identity survives and adapts under strict state control and social pressure.