Events

In her seminal introduction to The Anthropology of Christianity Fenella Cannell (2006) asks ‘What difference does Christianity make?’ The motif of Christianity as radical disjuncture is prominent in the conversion narratives of certain kinds of Christianity, as well as in the long-standing Christian emphasis on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as decisively transformative. But Cannell warns against assuming that Christianity always necessarily results in radical change. The differences Christianity makes might not always take expected forms or unfold along anticipated routes. The problem of Christian difference is a compelling line of inquiry, and not just in regard to its effects on an imagined ‘religious’ sphere, but right across diverse social institutions and cultural practices.

This symposium interrogates the problem of Christian difference in Asia by reflecting anthropologically on a range of interconnected themes. Attention will be given to the impact of diverse missionary histories, denominational affiliations, and theological schools. Papers will probe into the extent to which particular forms of Christianity matter, for example, for conceptions of gender, authority, ethics, and the state. This broad framing also invites inquiry into questions of what remains more or less immune from Christian influence as well as to the results of processes of negotiation in the midst of mission encounters.

While Christianity clearly spread across Asia along colonial routes, and while this clearly informs the cultural work carried out by Christianity, it is also necessary to pay attention to other Christianities that are awkwardly related to imperial processes. Moreover, recent movements of Christianity are relocating Asian practices in new political and cultural contexts. Contemporary vernacular forms of Christianity have ongoing trajectories that continue to refashion the moment of Christian encounter through migratory movements and inter-Asian missionary initiatives. The symposium therefore also seeks to draw attention to the multidirectional iterations of the process of Christian arrival and encounter.

Shifting the emphasis from Christianity to anthropology, the symposium also asks how the study of Christianity in its local manifestations can provide reflective insights for the discipline of anthropology: What methodological tenets and theoretical approaches are questioned and reformulated? What difference does the study of Christianity make for anthropological research? We thereby examine the ways in which research on Christianity helps anthropologists reexamine their own disciplinary and intellectual histories. Taking Christianity as a generative concept, this symposium explores those instances when Christianity operates as a trigger for the problematization of theoretical and methodological approaches in anthropology.

REGISTRATION

Admission is free, however, registration is required. Kindly register early as seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Please email Minghua at minghua.tay@nus.edu.sg to indicate your interest to attend the talk.

CONTACT DETAILS

Workshop Convenors

Dr Bernardo Enrique BROWN
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
E | aribeb@nus.edu.sg

Dr Philip Michael FOUNTAIN
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
E | aripmf@nus.edu.sg

Secretariat

Ms TAY Minghua
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
E | minghua.tay@nus.edu.sg