Negotiating identity : exploring tensions between being Hakka and being Christian in northwestern Taiwan / Ethan J. Christofferson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Christofferson, Ethan J., author.

Series:

American Society of Missiology monograph series ; Volume 13.

American Society of Missiology monograph series ; Volume 13

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Hakka (Chinese people)--Taiwan--Religion.

Hakka (Chinese people).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xvi, 316 pages) : illustrations.

Place of Publication:

Eugene, Oregon : Pickwick Publications, [2012]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Negotiating Identity addresses the missiological problem of why the Hakka Chinese Christian community in Taiwan is so small despite evangelistic efforts there for more than 140 years. Christofferson explores the tensions between being Hakka and being Christian in northwestern Taiwan and discusses what both Hakka non-Christians and Christians are doing and saying in the context of these tensions. This ethnographic study uses the lens of social constructionism and consequently offers an example of how social science scholarship can help missionaries and other Christian workers to gain significant insights into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of those living in their ministry locations. Of interest is Christofferson's conclusion that the missiological perspective which puts a primary focus on ministering to a people group is inadequate for explaining and engaging the complexities encountered in many ministry settings. He suggests that an awareness of the way people are negotiating their identities can help Christian workers to better understand and strategically engage people in a variety of ministry contexts throughout the world.

Contents:

Research problem

Precedent literature

Research methodology

Being Hakka in northwestern Taiwan

Non-Christian Hakkas in northwestern Taiwan and being Christian

Christian Hakkas in northwestern Taiwan in the context of negative categorizations of being Christian

Summary, implications, and recommendations

Appendix 1. Interview questions

Appendix 2. Three-memorials ceremony (Zhuisisanli).

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781621896265

1621896269