CHRISTIANITY IN ASIAN CONTEXTS: HISTORIES, THEOLOGIES, AND CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES

2026-09-02

Christianity in Asia has developed through centuries of encounters with diverse languages, intellectual traditions, religious practices, political systems, and social structures. From the ancient Christian communities of India and the early presence of Syriac Christianity in China to the missionary movements of the early modern and modern periods, Christian teachings and institutions have continually been translated, negotiated, and transformed in Asian contexts. Today, Asian Christian communities are responding to rapid social change, migration, secularisation, religious revival, political regulation, nationalism, digitalisation, and shifting global relations.

This special issue of Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai. Theologia Catholica Latina invites original studies on the history, theology, institutions, practices, and contemporary situation of Christianity in Asia. The principal geographical focus is East Asia, including China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and Mongolia. Contributions dealing with Southeast Asia and India or the wider Indian subcontinent are also welcome, particularly where they illuminate broader regional developments, transnational networks, or comparative questions.

The special issue understands Christianity in its denominational and institutional diversity. Studies may address Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Anglican, Pentecostal and Charismatic, independent, indigenous, and ancient Eastern Christian traditions. Historical, theological, missiological, sociological, anthropological, political, legal, and cultural approaches are welcome, provided that the article makes a clear contribution to theology or religious studies.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

  • the history of Christian missions and the formation of local Christian communities;
  • indigenous and contextual theologies;
  • the translation and interpretation of Christian concepts, scriptures, and liturgical texts;
  • inculturation, accommodation, and the adaptation of Christian practices to local cultures;
  • encounters between Christianity and Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, Shinto, Hinduism, Islam, and local religious traditions;
  • Asian interpretations of the Bible and Christian doctrine;
  • liturgy, ritual, devotional practices, pilgrimage, sacred art, music, and architecture;
  • ecclesiology, church organisation, and religious leadership;
  • relations among Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Pentecostal, and independent Christian communities;
  • ecumenism and interreligious dialogue;
  • Christianity, colonialism, and postcolonial or decolonial perspectives;
  • Christianity, nationalism, ethnicity, and cultural identity;
  • relations between Christian communities and political authorities;
  • the legal status and regulation of Christian churches and organisations;
  • religious freedom, persecution, martyrdom, and the construction of religious memory;
  • Christian responses to war, authoritarianism, social inequality, migration, and environmental challenges;
  • Christian education, healthcare, charitable activity, and social engagement;
  • gender, family, sexuality, and Christian ethics in Asian societies;
  • migration, diaspora communities, and transnational Christian networks;
  • Christianity and modernisation, secularisation, conversion, demographic change, and religious revival;
  • Christian communities and digital media, popular culture, and emerging technologies;
  • the contribution of Asian Christian experiences and theologies to global Christianity.

Comparative and transregional studies are especially encouraged. Contributions may examine connections within Asia as well as relations between Asian churches, the Holy See, European and North American missionary organisations, diaspora communities, and global Christian networks.

Manuscripts must be submitted in English and should not exceed 12,000 words or 60,000 characters, including footnotes. Each submission must include an abstract of no more than 100 words, up to ten keywords, and a bibliography. Authors should use UK English and follow the journal’s Author Guidelines.

Papers should be sent to the guest editor, Gergely Salát (salat.gergely@btk.ppke.hu) by 31 August, 2027. When submitting their manuscript, authors should indicate that it is intended for the special issue Christianity in Asian Contexts: East Asia, Southeast Asia, and India.

All research articles will undergo double-blind peer review. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai. Theologia Catholica Latina is a Diamond Open Access journal and charges no submission or article-processing fees.

Expected publication: 2027/2 (December 2027)

Guest editor: Gergely Salát (salat.gergely@btk.ppke.hu)