Research
The research agenda of the Center for Global Christianity is driven by the interests of the people who are part of its community. Reports about their ongoing work will be posted from time to time.
Legacy of John Sung
In the 1930s, no evangelist traveled further, spoke more often, or led more Chinese people to faith than Song Shangjie (John Sung). In the October 2016 issue of the International Bulletin of Mission Research, Daryl Ireland explores the legacy of one of China's most dynamic and memorable Christians. This is the first scholarly article to make use of Sung's own personal diaries (not those edited and published by his daughter). They reveal new facets of his life and ministry, most memorably regarding his time spent in an insane asylum. Sung famously spoke of his hospitalization in 1927 as a gross misunderstanding of his conversion. His diaries, however, More
Making of Buddhism in the West
Eva Pascal argues that the idea of Buddhism as a common religion across much of Asia, did not emerge in the 19th century as has been widely assumed. Instead, it was Spanish Franciscan Friars in the 16th century who, in their interactions with Buddhist monks in Thailand, China, and Japan recognized a common core. In a lecture delivered at a graduate symposium on October 7, 2016, Pascal explained that the Franciscans not only perceived a single founder behind the various names used for the Buddha in Asia, they also recognized the features of “religion.” In other words, Franciscans concluded that Buddhist monks were... More
Finding Religion
East African Revival
Daewon Moon, PhD candidate and CGCM student affiliate, was recently awarded a research grant from the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church for his dissertation research on the East African Revival in the 1930s and 1940s. Through his project, Daewon seeks to examine how indigenous movements like the Revival in the Anglican Church of Uganda contributed to creating the Anglican Communion as a global community with a common faith. The grant will support his research trip to Uganda in October to consult primary sources at Makerere University in Kampala and Uganda Christian University (formerly Bishop Tucker Theological College) in Mukono.
Dr.Koh Hyeseong recognized as an Outstanding American by Choice
On July 19, 2016, Dr. Koh Hyeseong-Cheon will be recognized as an Outstanding American by Choice by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for her achievements and contributions as a naturalized citizen. Senator Richard Blumenthal and other representatives of the government will speak at this event. She is the first Korean American to receive this recognition. Dr. Koh received a Doctorate degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Boston University in 1959. She is a co-founder of the East Rock Institute in New Haven, Connecticut (1952-) and her leadership was acknowledged through her reception of the Prime Minister’s Award in South... More