Journey of the Gospel: A study in the emergence of world Christianity and the shift of Christian historiography in the last half of the twentieth century.

摘要

This dissertation asks historiographical questions: What is today's vantage point for historians who write the history of Christianity? What has been changed in the writing of Christian history during the last half century? What has brought such changes about? How do these changes precipitate a new historiography?;In seeking the answers, the landmark phenomena of current worldwide Christianity are surveyed. The end of the two world wars and the decline of Western colonialism mark the milestone events for a shift toward an era of world Christianity. The latter half of the twentieth century constitutes the formative period of shaping world Christianity. The emergence of world Christianity is an important signpost, both historically and historiographically.;This dissertation argues that the historiographical trajectory during the twentieth century clearly reveals the missionary impact on Christian historiography and the two phases of historiographical development—Latourettean and Wallsean. Currents in historiographical trends indicate that Christian historiography enlarges, enriches, and enhances the understanding of the course of Christian history with new perspectives, themes, and sources. The developmental aspect of Christian historiography toward more indigenous engagement shows that the historiographical context becomes widened and deepened and results in a better understanding of the spread and the nature of the Christian Gospel.;In the end, this dissertation attempts a conceptualization of world Christianity and its historiographical implications. The term "world Christianity" is more a corrective notion than indicative. It is a countervailing force against the still-prevalent bias toward a Western framework that has long been dominant. Christian historiography, which commenced as church history and was largely provincial and Eurocentric, has been challenged through mission history and is now being changed, making it more a history of "world Christianity." This new genre of Christian historiography enlarges the story with fuller perspectives, enriches it with new sources and themes, and enhances our understanding of the dynamic nature of the Gospel.