On the Continuity of the Western Christian Tradition in Asia

A Metatheological Concern

Authors

  • J. H. W. CHAN St. Paul's Theological College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54424/ajt.v38i2.125

Keywords:

Asian theology, Western tradition, Asian contextual theology, analytic theology, Hwa Yung

Abstract

In this essay I address whether the Western Christian heritage is suitable for theologizing in Asian contexts or whether it is insufficient and ought to be discarded by the Asian church, as suggested by various Asian theologians. I respond primarily to the arguments put forward by Hwa Yung in his seminal book Mangoes or Bananas. Hwa’s critiques of the Western tradition have been influential in shaping the Malaysian and Southeast Asian theological context. I hope to show that his view is untenable and ultimately mistaken. The solution I advance takes seriously the concerns raised by Hwa but suggests that the goal should not be to part with the Western theological tradition, which is indispensable in maintaining orthodoxy. Rather, the answer lies in distinguishing between orthodoxy and orthopraxis in such a way that allows the Asian theologian to address context-specific needs without the danger of being lost in a sea of cultural relativism.

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Published

2024-10-16

How to Cite

CHAN, J. H. W. (2024). On the Continuity of the Western Christian Tradition in Asia: A Metatheological Concern. Asia Journal Theology, 38(2), 125–145. https://doi.org/10.54424/ajt.v38i2.125

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Section

Articles