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Abstract

To carry out their mission and evangelization, early Jesuit missionaries used various practices that included making, facilitating, and using Biblical-themed painting, sculpture, and church architecture. The purpose of this study is to highlight and investigate the significant role of art in Jesuit mission efforts in the late Ming and the early Qing Dynasties (1552-1773). The research analyzes the Christian-themed art in the history of the pre-Jesuit contact China and the initial European Jesuit motivation of using art in mission. It also examines how the European Jesuits developed their practice of art and architecture within their historical contexts and how some Han and other ethnic peoples in China responded to the Gospel presented through religious art. New Christians accepted the Christian Gospel, replaced Buddhist or Taoist images and objects with Christian art, and some even became painters of Christian-themed art. Chinese Christian men and women patrons sponsored such art and church architecture as acts of piety. A unique aspect of the Jesuit mission featured some churches exclusively built for women, unseen anywhere else in the same historical period. The focus of this study is primarily the history and theological themes and meanings emerging out of Jesuit art and architecture and how art and architecture played significant roles in local people’s ways of knowing God and living out a Christian life. This research attempts to give a balanced attention to both European and Asian Christians, Christian men and women, Han and ethnic minorities, and the intellectuals and the ordinary Christians in the discussion. Primary sources from archeological materials and written texts suggest that Jesuit mission and evangelization valued Christian-themed art. Art also acted as a way to sustain the Christian faith and devotion in the post-conversion epoch. This research examines art in the global and local contexts of synthesis and cultural change.

Alternate abstract:

为了进行宣教和传福音,早期的耶稣会传教士采用了各种做法,包括制作,协助和使用以圣经为主题的绘画,雕塑和教堂建筑。本研究的目的是强调和研究艺术在明末清初(1552-1773年)的耶稣会宣教活动中的重要作用。该研究分析了耶稣会士与中国接触前的基督教主题的艺术史,以及欧洲耶稣会士使用艺术进行宣教的最初动机。它还考察了欧洲耶稣会士如何在其历史背景下发展其艺术和建筑实践,以及中国的一些汉族和其他民族如何回应宗教艺术所呈现的福音。新基督徒接受了基督教福音,用基督教艺术代替了佛教或道教的图像和物品,甚至有的成为了基督教主题艺术的画家。中国基督教男女信徒虔诚的捐赠和赞助了艺术品和教堂建筑。耶稣会使命的一个独特方面是一些教堂专门为女性建造,在同一历史时期其他任何地方都没有出现。这项研究的重点主要是耶稣会士的艺术和建筑学中出现的历史和神学主题及意义,以及艺术和建筑学如何在当地人认识上帝和过基督徒生活的方式中发挥重要作用。这项研究试图在讨论中均衡地关注欧洲和亚洲的基督徒,男女基督徒,汉族和少数民族以及知识分子和普通基督徒。考古材料和书面文字的主要来源表明,耶稣会的宣教和传福音重视基督教主题的艺术。在信仰转变后,艺术还可以作为维持基督徒信仰和忠心奉献的一种方式。这项研究在综合和文化变革的全球和本地背景下研究艺术。

Details

1010268
Business indexing term
Title
Art as a Pathway to God: A Historical-Theological Study of the Jesuit Mission to China in the Late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties (1552-1773)
Alternate title
艺术作为通往上帝的道路:关于明末清初耶稣会传教士的历史神学研究(1552-1773)
Number of pages
358
Publication year
2019
Degree date
2019
School code
1062
Source
DAI-A 82/2(E), Dissertation Abstracts International
ISBN
9798664726114
Committee member
Rynkiewich, Michael
University/institution
Asbury Theological Seminary
Department
Advanced Research Programs
University location
United States -- Kentucky
Degree
Ph.D.I.S.
Source type
Dissertation or Thesis
Language
English
Document type
Dissertation/Thesis
Dissertation/thesis number
27958121
ProQuest document ID
2442639779
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/art-as-pathway-god-historical-theological-study/docview/2442639779/se-2?accountid=208611
Copyright
Database copyright ProQuest LLC; ProQuest does not claim copyright in the individual underlying works.
Database
2 databases
  • ProQuest One Academic
  • ProQuest One Academic