The Perception of Christianity as a Rational Religion in Singapore

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.''In this carefully researched study, Dr. Clive Chin challenges some dominant but misleading assumptions about Asian perceptions of Christianity. Drawing upon significant recent work in the sociology of religion in Asia and his own extensive interviews with young Chinese Singaporean converts to Christianity, Dr. Chin has produced a rich and provocative work that clarifies the agenda for contextualization of Christianity in Asia today.''--Harold Netland, Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Intercultural Studies, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School''Dr. Chin takes up in this work one of the most relevant questions that sociology of religion and missiology in Asia are asking: what are the perceptions of Christianity as a rational or Western religion, and how do those perceptions influence Christian conversion? Taking a multidisciplinary approach, Chin’s research makes a significant contribution towards answering these questions. This volume beckons the attention of all who are interested in the growth of Christianity in Singapore and Asia today.''--Craig Ott, Professor of Mission and Intercultural Studies, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School''Born in Hong Kong, raised in the United States, educated in US tertiary and theological institutions, formerly a pastor there and a teacher in South Korea, and presently serving in Singapore, Dr. Clive Chin, a student of systematic theology and intercultural issues, is well positioned to publish his award-winning dissertation. Intriguing, enlightening, and edifying, this work is a substantial apologia for the gospel of Jesus Christ.''--Michael Shen, Principal Emeritus, Singapore Bible CollegeClive 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.