<i>Modern Chinese Theologies, Volume 1: Heritage and Prospect</i>, edited by Chloë Starr

Chloë Starr, a distinguished professor at Yale Divinity School, is a leading scholar in Asian Christianity and Chinese theology. Her academic contributions, including Chinese Theology: Text and Context (2016) and A Reader in Chinese Theology (2022, as editor), have significantly shaped the discourse on modern Chinese theological thought. In her work, Modern Chinese Theologies, Volume 1: Heritage and Prospect, she curates a collection of essays tracing the evolution of Chinese theologies, particularly focusing on the trajectories of “Mainland and Mainstream” theologians (ix)—individuals primarily associated with mainline or missionary-founded denominations in China from the twentieth to early twenty-first centuries. As the first volume of a three-part series, further volumes will address independent theologians, indigenous movements, and diasporic perspectives. Structured chronologically, it presents cohesive thematic sections reflecting key theological and historical developments.Part I, “Republican-Era Indigenizing,” examines early twentieth-century attempts to contextualize Christianity within Chinese cultural and philosophical traditions. Zhao Zichen’s (>趙紫宸, 1888–1979) writings anchor this section, exploring his redefinition of Christian theology through a Confucian lens and addressing issues such as national self-determination and ecclesiastical independence. Other essays detail figures like Jia Yuming (賈玉銘, 1880–1964), who blended fundamentalist theology with Quaker influences to forge cross-denominational partnerships during political upheaval. This part also highlights how translation and adaptation of Western hymns contributed to the indigenization of theology, reflecting the social gospel vision embraced by many theologians during this era.Part II, “Wartime Theologizing,” focuses on the theological responses to the crises of war and occupation during the 1930s and 1940s. Contributions include an analysis of Bishop Yu Bin’s (于斌, 1901–78) theology of resistance and Vincent Lebbe’s (Lei Mingyuan 雷鳴遠, 1887–1940) controversial engagement with Vatican doctrines. The ethical dilemmas faced by theologians like Wu Yaozhong (吳耀宗; 1893–1979), who transitioned from pacifism to revolutionary ideology, illustrate the shifting interplay between Christian and Communist thought. The part captures the wartime theological diversity that emerged amidst national turmoil, as exemplified by debates on the ethics of violence and collaboration.Part III, “Protestant Denominationalizing,” traces the denominational and institutional developments of Chinese Protestantism throughout the twentieth century. The essays in this part examine theological adaptations in response to the missionary legacy, including reinterpretations of Wesleyan and Reformed theology in localized contexts. Case studies, such as the theological continuities and discontinuities of Seventh-day Adventists, highlight how denominational practices were reshaped under state-sanctioned frameworks. The essays also underscore the global interconnectedness of Chinese Protestant thought, as demonstrated by Chinese theologians’ reinterpretation of foundational missionary texts to suit indigenous theological aspirations.Part IV, “Reform Era Thinking,” addresses the dynamic theological landscape of post-Mao China, focusing on the intersections of Christianity and Communist ideology. Essays analyze TSPM leaders like Ding Guangxun (丁光訓, 1915–2012) and Wu Yaozhong, whose writings sought to reconcile Marxist materialism with Christian theology. The part also examines the contributions of Catholic nuns to ecclesiastical life and the role of contemporary Catholic journals like Divine Love (Sheng’ai 聖愛) in fostering theological dialogue. This part captures the broader tensions between official church positions and grassroots theological developments.The book’s strength lies in its interdisciplinary and thematically diverse approach, presenting Chinese theology as an evolving discourse rather than a fixed tradition. Starr skillfully curates contributions illustrating how theologians balance indigenous Chinese elements—such as cultural-religious aspects and sociopolitical contexts—with inherited Western frameworks. Notable examples include Zhao Zichen and Wu Yaozhong, whose theological adaptations engage local realities while retaining ties to broader Christian traditions. The volume also highlights methodological innovation, particularly in exploring how historical Christian texts, liturgical practices, and political changes have shaped Chinese theology.However, the anthology’s selectivity inevitably prioritizes certain narratives over others. Greater attention to interconnections and networks of influence among theologians, including those omitted from the text, would have been valuable—particularly given the fluid boundaries between denominational and independent traditions. Additionally, Starr’s methodological reflections seem rather sparse on the term “Chinese theologies,” which invites competing interpretations. A more explicit discussion in the introduction or a dedicated section would have strengthened the framework. While categorizing contributions into “Mainland and Mainline,” “Independent and Indigenous,” and “Academic and Diasporic” provides structure, further justification for this division in relation to the broader discourse on Chinese theology would have enhanced the volume’s analytical depth.Nonetheless, Modern Chinese Theologies: Volume 1 makes a vital contribution to the study of Chinese Christianity, offering historical and theological insights while raising key epistemological questions about the study of theology in a non-Western context. It challenges assumptions about Chinese theologians’ contributions and underscores their global relevance. This volume is essential for scholars, students, and church leaders seeking to understand how Christianity has been negotiated and redefined in China. Combining academic rigor with thematic depth, it serves as both a foundational text for newcomers and a valuable resource for specialists exploring modern Chinese theological developments.