How should Christianity relate to Chinese culture? That question has engaged the minds of both Chinese and Western Christians for several centuries . Lit-sen Chang (1904-1996) was brought up as a Buddhist and educated in the Confucian classics as well as in modern political philosophy. He later delved deeply into Daoism as well. After World War II, he founded Jiangnan University in order to "exterminate" Christianity and revive Eastern religion.
Conversion to Christianity in 1950 radically altered the course of his life. He studied at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and then joined the faculty, teaching missions and writing prolifically on theology and apologetics, especially on the relationship of Christianity to Chinese culture. His Critique of Indigenous Theology and Critique of Humanism are published here in English for the first time, and provide excellent examples of his wide learning, insightful analysis, powerful writing, and firm commitment to historic Christianity.
“Indigenous theology is something most non-Western theologians strive for, and one of the most difficult challenges along the way is humanism. A wise man from the East, Zhang Lisheng has substantially explored the most relevant topics, which are important for all scholars universally. Thanks to the great translations by two scholars from the United States and China, the work is now accessible for English speakers as well.”
“Wise Man from the East effectively blends several components: a brief and lucid biography that orients the reader to the life and times of Lit-sen Chang, an authoritative and appealing English translation of two key texts authored by Chang, and critical editorial notes to help modern readers navigate the still relevant contributions of this remarkable Chinese Christian intellectual.”
