The Perception of Christianity as a Rational Religion in Singapore: A Missiological Analysis of Christian Conversion

by Clive S. Chin

Overview

This book evaluates the common criticism that Christianity in Asia is westernized. Since the 1980s, Asian evangelical theologians and missiologists argue that the intrusion of Western theology is responsible for the Western and, hence, alien expressions of Christianity in Asia. Yet, in Singapore, the number of Christians has increased over the last few decades. Empirical evidence demonstrates that younger Chinese Singaporeans convert from Buddhism or Taoism to Christianity partly because they perceive it as a "rational" religion over Buddhism or Taoism, which are viewed as "irrational" or "superstitious." Not only do many converts favor Christianity as a rational religion, but they do not regard Christianity as a Western religion at the point of their conversion. What accounts for those recent developments?   This study explores the processes of modernization and globalization as important factors, impacting religious change in Singapore. Personal, contextual, and structural elements actually influence one's religion of choice. In facilitating effective mission, one must qualify the use of the categories, "Asian" and "Western," because religious and cultural boundaries overlap. What matters most in missiology is discerning how the gospel of Jesus Christ engages the self-understanding and lived realities of ethnic and religious others in diverse cultural settings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498298094
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	03/23/2017
Series:	American Society of Missiology Monograph Series , #31
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	244
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Clive S. Chin is Academic Dean and Professor of Theological and Intercultural Studies at Singapore Bible College (SOTE). He holds PhDs from Dallas Theological Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Abstract ix

1 Research Problem 1

Missiological Context 1

Research Question 6

Research Methodology 7

Biblical and Theological Assumptions 12

2 Evangelical Contextualization in Asia 17

Review of Literature 20

Doing Theology hi the Era of Globalization 38

Summary 41

3 Modernization, Globalization, and Religious Change 43

Modernizalion Theory 44

The Phenomenon of Globalization 56

Religious Change 68

4 Christian Conversion and Identity in Singapore 81

The Singapore Context 82

Review of Conversion Theories 89

Rationalization of Religion in Singapore 108

5 Research Methodology 125

General Procedure 125

Interview Process and Data Analysis 127

Criteria for the Selection of Informants 130

6 Research Findings 133

Views and Attitudes toward Chinese Religions and Rituals 133

Christian Conversion Experience 145

Christianity as the True Religion 159

Christianity as a Logical or Rational Religion 164

Formation of Christian Identity 174

7 Analysis of Research Findings 183

Summary of Research Findings 184

Christian Conversion in Singapore 186

Active Engagement Over Passive Acceptance of Religion 189

Perception of Christianity as a Rational Religion 194

Perception of Christianity as a Western Religion 198

Christian Identity in Singapore 200

Rationality, Rationalization, and Rationalism 202

Explaining Conflicting Viewpoints 204

8 Conclusions and Missiological Implications 207

Appendices

1 Informant Profiles 215

2 Interview Protocol 217

Bibliography 219