1. Chinese Christian Sutras

2. Where was Christianity in 600? Europe Europe Arians in north (Germany) and west (Spain) Arians in north (Germany) and west (Spain) Irish Celts have been Christianized Irish Celts have been Christianized Scandinavia not yet Christian Scandinavia not yet Christian Middle East Middle East Mix of Jewish, Christian, other (Zoroastrian) Mix of Jewish, Christian, other (Zoroastrian) Will quickly become Islamic (600s-700s) Will quickly become Islamic (600s-700s) Africa Africa Northern coast (becomes Muslim by 700s) Northern coast (becomes Muslim by 700s) Egypt retains Christian community (Copts) Egypt retains Christian community (Copts) Ethiopia Ethiopia Asia Asia Missionaries from Syria go east into Asia, through Persia Missionaries from Syria go east into Asia, through Persia India had small Syrian Christian communities (not native) India had small Syrian Christian communities (not native) China: monasteries along trade routes China: monasteries along trade routes

4. Inculturation Religion always needs to be translated into local culture and ideas Religion always needs to be translated into local culture and ideas In Roman empire: Greco-Roman philosophy, political structures In Roman empire: Greco-Roman philosophy, political structures In China: Buddhist ideas In China: Buddhist ideas In Christianity, this relies on “incarnational principle” In Christianity, this relies on “incarnational principle” God can be “translated” into human in Christ God can be “translated” into human in Christ So too Christian beliefs can be translated into other cultures So too Christian beliefs can be translated into other cultures

5. Christianity in China Isolated communities by 600s and 700s Isolated communities by 600s and 700s Established by Syrian Christians Established by Syrian Christians Along international trade route, “the Silk Road” Along international trade route, “the Silk Road” Evidence: Christians in China by 635 Evidence: Christians in China by 635 Perhaps 12 monasteries, ca. 3000 Christians Perhaps 12 monasteries, ca. 3000 Christians Did not last Did not last Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim missionaries active along Silk Road Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim missionaries active along Silk Road Chinese gov’t was Confucian Chinese gov’t was Confucian 845: gov’t banned “foreign religions” (Christian, Zoroastrian, Buddhist) 845: gov’t banned “foreign religions” (Christian, Zoroastrian, Buddhist) Monks and nuns had to leave China or be secularize Monks and nuns had to leave China or be secularize

6. Chinese Christian sutras Modeled on Buddhist sutras (scriptures) Modeled on Buddhist sutras (scriptures) Discussion Discussion What elements sound Eastern/Buddhist? What elements sound Eastern/Buddhist? What elements are same as Western Christianity? What elements are same as Western Christianity? Does inculturation enhance the message of Christianity? Change it? Does inculturation enhance the message of Christianity? Change it?

7. For next time Christianization of Russia Christianization of Russia How did a whole region become Christianized? Forcibly? How did a whole region become Christianized? Forcibly? Why did the prince choose Eastern Christianity? Why did the prince choose Eastern Christianity? What roles does politics play in deciding the religion of a country? What roles does politics play in deciding the religion of a country?