During the last twenty years our knowledge of Asian Christian theologies and of their extensive written sources, has greatly increased, as has the number of those studying and teaching such theologies. There has been, however, no attempt as yet to provide an Asia-wide and comprehensive guide to study or research in these theologies. This volume is the first of the three which provides the first ecumenical, and fully representative guide to research in the authors, movements and sources for contextual Asian Christian theologies from the 7th to the 20th centuries. The central focus is therefore upon theological reflection which has arisen from the faith experience of Christians within the particular histories and cultures of the region's peoples and which has been shaped and resourced by such contexts.

Principal concerns of the scores of contributors and six editors have throughout been to introduce as wide a range as possible of such Asian Christian theologies in all their diverse forms, and to provide adequate guidance for their discovery, study and research. Chapters for regional theology and for each country in South and Austral Asia, provide detailed entries for writers and writings since the 7th century, with the largest space being given to the 19th and the 20th centuries. Particular stress is placed upon their historical contexts and theological movements, along with full references for further study. This is the fullest presentation of Asian theologies so far compiled and is a genuinely ground-breaking work.

Commendation

"A volume like this shows that Asian theology has come of age. As happens in other parts of the Third World, than in reaching out horizontally to others in the Third. A volume like this provides us with a tool that not only facilitates a horizontal dialogue, but also indicates the riches that awaits us… and help us to choose among the abundance of the resources available. While the particular contexts of the different countries are highlighted by the presentation, a quick overview also helps us to note the unity of the questions and reflections in the midst of the pluralism of concerns… I congratulate and appreciate the vision and the planning of the Editors and the painstaking work by them and their collaborators which has gone into assembling of the rich resources offered to us." - Michael Amaladoss, S.J.

"It is being more and more recognized that there is an urgent need for Asian women to formulate Asian women's contextual theology, thus claiming and exercising our God-given equality and human worth in church and society, and contributing to the global dialogue on women's theology and spirituality…. It is therefore most opportune that, along with the work of our brother theologians of many countries, the work of their sisters in theology is recognized as fully as possible in these volumes… This series of Research Guides makes accessible large numbers of hitherto inaccessible writings in contextual theology from the region, by women as well as by men. But in addition, a large part of the material here introduced, greatly broadens the scope - as well as sharpening the focus - for theology itself, posing fresh challenges to westernized, and merely academic, professional or systematic conceptualizations of theology." - Yong Ting Jin, AWRCCT

The Contents

The three volumes cover respectively South and Austral Asia, Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia and chapters are included for each country of these sub-regions as follows:

Volume 1:
       1. Asian Christian Theologies 1 (7th - 15th Cents.)
       2. Asian Christian Theologies 2 (16th - 18th Cents.)
       3. Asia-wide and Ecumenical Theologies
       4. Contextual Theology in Bangladesh
       5. Contextual Theology in India
       6. A Note on Nepal
       7. Contextual Theological Reflection in Pakistan
       8. Contextual Theological Reflection in Sri Lanka
       9. Contextual Theology in Aotearoa NZ
       10. Contextual Theology in Australia

Volume 2:
       1. Asia Regional Survey (summary)
       2. Southeast Asia 16th - 18th Cents.
       3. Burma / Myanmar
       4. Cambodia and Laos
       5. Indonesia
       6. Malaysia and Singapore
       7. The Philippines
       8. Thailand
       9. Vietnam

Volume 3:
       1. Asia Regional Survey (summary)
       2. Northeast Asia 16th - 18th Cents.
       3. China
       4. Hong Kong and Macau
       5. Inner Asia - including Tibet and Mongolia
       6. Japan
       7. Korea
       8. Taiwan

The Editors

Janice Wickeri has edited publications for the Chinese University of Hong Kong and has been the Editor of the Chinese Theological Review since 1985.

Dr. David Suh Kwang-sun, is Director of the Asian Christian Higher Education Institute, Hong Kong.

Dr. Lily A. Quintos, RC, is Director, The Cenacle, Quezon City, Philippines

Dr. Jose Kuttianimattathi, SDB, is Rector at Kristu Jyoti College and Seminary, Bangalore.

The Revd John C. England was formerly Associate Dean, Programme for Theology and Cultures in Asia.

Dr John M.Prior svd, is Secretary of Puslit Candraditya, Maumere, Flores, Indonesia and Consultor to FABC Commissions.

Price

Vol. 1 - US $ 19.95; PhP 920.00

Vol. 2 - US $ 19.95; PhP 920.00