Chinese Christian Witness: Identity, Creativity, Transmission, and Poetics

Congratulations to Reverend Dr Xiaoli Yang from Whitley College, on the forthcoming release of Chinese Christian Witness: Identity, Creativity, Transmission, and Poetics.

Language: English
Series: Theology and Mission in World Christianity, Volume: 38
Publication Date: 27 Nov 2025
Paperback ISBN: 978-90-04-74160-7Price: € 69 / US$ 75
E-Book ISBN: 978-90-04-74161-4

Xiaoli wrote to Vox about her new publication…

Together with my co-editor Daryl Ireland, I have had the privilege of working with a global team of scholars to assemble a book on Chinese Christian Witness: Identity, Creativity, Transmission, and Poetics, which will be released on the 4th Dec 2025.  It is an attempt to foreground how Chinese Christians have thought about and participated in mission over the last several centuries. The book covers multiple traditions: Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, and Chinese-initiated movements. It has a broad geographic span, looking at Chinese Christians in Oceania, Africa, Europe, and Asia. For those in China, it gives space for missiological reflection by people in both registered and unregistered churches. 

One unique feature is that we have also assembled full-colored art works by various Chinese Christian artists, and had them reflect on the missiological significance of their pieces. Aesthetics, or poetics, as we suggest in the subtitle, has something significant to say about Christian witness.

Attached is a document with a more complete abstract, and information on how to get 25% off this new $75 USD book by the end of this year. Also, at least until 11th of December, De Guyter Brill has a 40% holiday discount code. Everyone can use it if you are buying individually and not as an institution.  

Reviewers have been very generous: 

“This valuable volume significantly expands the geographic and thematic scope of our study of the Christian movement in China. It shows that Christianity has infused the Chinese life and cultural expressions to a far greater extent than previously recognized.” – Prof Xi Lian / 連曦, David C. Steinmetz Distinguished Professor of World Christianity, Duke Divinity School

“Chinese Christian Witness breaks away from many stereotypical assumptions. What is “Chinese” is not only the Han ethnic group, but includes citizens from 55 other ethnic minorities in the contemporary PRC and living in multiple countries; what is meant by “Christian” includes Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and a good number of Protestant traditions, sometimes including several in a single chapter; what counts as “Witness” is not only testimonials (though they are included, and are often moving), but also creative expressions including Chinese missionaries to other people-groups, the use of radio, film, television, novels, plays, poems, paintings, hymns and church architecture. Read and learn!” – Prof Lauren F. Pfister / 费乐仁, Rector, Hephzibah Mountain Aster Academy / Professor Emeritus, Hong Kong Baptist University

“In the spirit of David Bosch, Chinese Christian Witness presents a multi-paradigmatic view of Gospel expression and expansion, displayed in the lives of Chinese believers over five centuries. Yang and Ireland cross disciplinary and theological boundaries, offering fresh missiological thinking that counters traditional Enlightenment assumptions about what constitutes mission. Their expansive conception of witness challenges the global Christian imagination to consider the myriad ways in which followers of Christ can give voice to their faith. In an era of renewed missionary activity from within China, the historical examples of how Chinese Christians have conveyed the Gospel message through art, music, film, and literature; how they have negotiated challenging political realities in China and abroad, and how they have lived out their identity through indigenous church structures are timely reminders of the rich missiological heritage of the Chinese church.” – Dr. Brent Fulton / 傅邦宁, Founder/Catalyst, ChinaSource

“This work engages deeply with the interconnected themes of identity, creativity, transmission, and poetics, offering a nuanced exploration of their significance within the broader context of its subject matter. By examining these areas in tandem, the study provides a comprehensive and multidimensional framework that enriches our understanding of the topic. The innovative combination of these analytical perspectives not only enhances the scholarly rigor of the work but also renders it highly engaging and accessible to a wider audience. As a result, it is poised to attract significant attention, both within academic circles and among general readers interested in the subject.” – Prof Cindy Yik-yi Chu / 朱益宜, Professor of History, Hong Kong Baptist University

We are grateful for these affirmations, and hope that academics, students and practitioners who study World Christianity, Chinese Christianity, Christian mission or religious art will find the books useful, too.