Yang Huilin's China, Christianity, and the Question of Culture is a complex and important work that sits astride the burgeoning presence of Christianity in China and its relationship to culture, the humanities, biblical studies and literary theory. In terms of culture, Yang skilfully navigates Christianity's complex identity in modern China as it steadily becomes part and parcel of modern Chinese culture. Yang notes the questions Christianity poses to inter-religious conversations in China, its impact upon both traditional and current ethical understanding and what significance these conversations have for China in the current age.
The book represents a complex engagement not only between Christianity and Chinese culture, but how these, in turn, inform Yang's interest in literary theory. What results is an eclectic journey seen through a set of theoretical literary lenses that provide depth and insight into the engagement of Chinese Christianity and academic reflection. These provide the reader with insight as to why Christianity has become a compelling religious, ethical and intellectual force in China today. Yang's portrayal implies that Christianity is no longer simply the province of foreigners, but a serious conversation partner at the highest levels of the Chinese academies. This not only allows the possibility of Christianity's contribution to wider society, it also exposes many of the weaknesses of Christian faith and intellectual endeavour in China today.
Though every chapter makes for informative reading, this reader found Yang's literary theory and scriptural reasoning particularly interesting. In these chapters Yang lays out the possibilities of the development of a ‘Sino-Christian’ theology. Yang's nuanced handling of Chinese and non-Chinese theorists make this volume especially valuable. For those interested in the relationship between Christianity, literary theory and ethics in China, Yang's work provides ample evidence of the growing maturity and gravity of Christian intellectual discourse.
Yang's work offers a refreshing and insightful commentary on Christianity in China, with its changing and growing intellectual engagement. As such, China, Christianity and the Question of Culture is an important work that reflects Christianity coming of age in contemporary China.
