The Sun Rises in the East
Evangelization in East Asia
The Sun Rises in the East engages students, scholars, missionaries, and clergy with the goal of addressing examine the history of Christian evangelization in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, including the cultural and state tensions that mark different regions. Through seminars and speaker events, the program will create the space necessary for interdisciplinary reflection on the tensions faced in evangelization within our current communities
From Matteo Ricci’s integration of Confucian thought in his translations of Western philosophical texts in China to Korean and Japanese martyrs who stood up against religious persecution instituted by the ruling state, this program seeks to understand the negotiations and tensions between Christian institutions, society, and the state since the advent of Christianity in East Asia.
Current Seminars & Events
New! Fall 2026 & Spring 2027
In this series, we examine the history of Christian evangelization in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. We explore the various understandings of patriotism and religion, and consequences of various approaches towards syncretism and assimilation taken by Catholics and Protestants in sharing the gospel. We will explore the following topics:
Sept. 25: Maria-Kannon: The Problem of Interreligious Encounter in Early Modern Japan and Beyond with PhD Candidate Alaina Keller (Georgetown University)
Oct. 16: Faith Needs a Face: Exploring the Earliest Images of Christianity in China with Fr. Eugene Geinzer (Loyola University Maryland)
Nov. 6: Dao and Logos: Reading Lao Tzu in the Light of John’s Gospel with Prof. Weimao Ke (Drexel University)
Jan. 29: Christianity in Northeast Asia: Convergence of Conflict, Culture, and Commerce with Prof. Balbina Hwang (Georgetown University)
Feb. 26: Resisting Inculturation through the Eyes of Yoshimitsu Yoshihiko with Prof. Kevin Doak (Georgetown University)
March 19: TBD
Previous Seminars & Events
Translating Christianity: Catholicism and Late
Imperial China
Collegium Institute hosted a special event on the role of the Catholic Church in late imperial China by Ronnie Hsia (Penn State). Prof. Hsia's talk, which draws from his current book project titled Catholicism and Late Imperial China, 1580-1800, explored the history of Catholic missions in China between the 16th and 19th centuries, offering insights into the greater social and cultural contexts in which early Christian missionaries found themselves.
Fall 2025 & Spring 2026
In this series, we examined the history of Christian evangelization in China and Japan, from Jesuit missions in the warring states era to the present. We will explore the various understandings of patriotism and religion, questions of law and slavery in the early modern encounter, and the ways Christian belief has been articulated through Chinese categories of God, Dao, and the Cross. Sessions were facilitated by Prof. Stephanie Wong (Villanova), Dr. Rômulo da Silva Ehalt (Max Planck Institute), Prof. Weimao Ke (Drexel), Prof. John Lindblom (Notre Dame), Prof. Easten Law (Princeton), and Prof. Antoni J. Ūcerler (Boston College).
Spring 2025
In this series, we examined the history of Christian evangelization in China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. We explored the various understandings of patriotism and religion, and consequences of various approaches towards syncretism and assimilation taken by Catholics and Protestants in sharing the gospel. Sessions were facilitated by Prof. Stephanie Wong (Villanova), Prof. Weimao Ke (Drexel), Dr. Easten Law (Princeton), and others.
“ . . . beautifully organized and deeply enriching series on Christian evangelization in East Asia. I was honored to lead one discussion session and participate in another, and both experiences left a lasting impression. The series brought together a vibrant, thoughtful community through the Newman and Collegium networks. What stood out was not only the academic depth of the readings but also the spiritual depth of our conversations. It was inspiring to see participants/students from a wide range of backgrounds--many without direct ties to East Asia--engage genuinely with the cultures, histories, and theological challenges presented. The questions raised during our discussions pushed us to reflect more deeply on faith and its expression in different cultural and political contexts. The sense of community was further nourished by shared meals, which were excellent, and heartfelt exchanges, and there was a palpable enthusiasm, a real hunger to learn more and to grow in faith. This wasn't a lecture series; it was a shared journey of discovery.”
- Professor Weimao Ke (Drexel)
“As a Japanese-Chinese American, I found that the program provided a wonderful insight into how I can bridge my parents’ culture and my newfound faith in Catholicism in the U.S., which has deep European roots. As silly as it sounds, I struggled to feel like I fit in when a faith that is based on bread and wine, when much of our daily sustenance in East Asia depended on rice. As someone who has visited temples and shrines in Japan and China, I found it difficult to reconcile my culture, which is heavily influenced by Buddhism and Shintoism, and my new faith in Christ.”
- Mihoko Zhang (Mount Holyoke College ‘23)
” . . . provided invaluable enrichment and prompted me to reflect on matters of belief, society, history, and culture pertinent to both contemporary issues and my personal faith. Working in STEM day to day, I do not often have the opportunity to engage with or critically consider questions in liberal arts, but this seminar revitalized my passion for reading and thinking about the humanities. The scope of the curriculum and selected excerpts consistently piqued my interest with an excellent balance of accessibility and specificity, and I always found the discussion challenging and thought-provoking. I enjoyed learning about Asian Christianity through the various perspectives of the invited experts, and I benefited from the contributions of the speakers, Esther, and fellow attendees alike. I am grateful to have participated in this seminar, and I take away with me new insights on the relationships between culture, politics, and religious practice as well as encouragement and greater thoughtfulness in my own Christian life. The intellectual community formed within this program is a special one, and I look forward to attending future iterations.”
- Carolyn & Andres Fernandez del Castillo (Penn Medicine)
Learn More
If you are interested in learning more, or signing up for announcements about the Sun Rises in the East programming, please contact our program fellow & operations assistant Mary Lee: mlee@collegiuminstitute.org.