Following the prohibition of missionary activity after 1724, China's Christians were effectively cut off from all foreign theological guidance. The ensuing isolation forced China's Christian communities to become self-reliant in perpetuating the basic principles of their faith. Left to their own devices, the missionary seed developed into a panoply of indigenous traditions, with Christian ancestry as the common denominator. Christianity thus underwent the same process of inculturation as previous religious traditions in China, such as Buddhism and Judaism. As the guardian of orthodox morality, the prosecuting state sought to exercise all-pervading control over popular thoughts and social functions.

Filling the gap within the discourse of Christianity in China and also as part of the wider analysis of religion in late Imperial China, this study presents the campaigns against Christians during this period as part and parcel of the campaign against 'heresy' and 'heretical' movements in general.

Lars Peter Laamann teaches Chinese History at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. His research interests are focused on Christianity in China, as well as on other aspects of early modern Chinese social history.

Part 1: Introduction 1. Defining the Research Parameters 2. 'Inculturation'- Defining a Concept 3. The Evolution of Chinese Christianity Part 2: Late Imperial Christianity: Popular Cult or Alien Creed? 4. Filial Sons and a World of Demons 5. Peasant Millenarianism and Christian Theology Part 3: A ProtectiveFather: Official Perceptions of Christianity and Government Action against Sectarian Movements 6. The Philosophical Basis for Anti-Heresy Campaigns 7. Christianity as the Target: A Chronology of State Action 8. The Perplexed Official: Christianity as Heredox Mystery 9. Christianity as Internal Menace 10. Christianity as Alien Intrusion Part 4: Conclusion: Christianity as Popular Chinese Religion 11. Who is the 'Chinese Christian'? 12. Epilogue: Chinese Christianity into the Third Millenium