Struggle for Localization and Gradual Shift to Activism

Abstract

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan is the Protestant denomination with the longest tradition on the island. There has been a Presbyterian mission in Taiwan for over 150 years, and it supported the initial modernization of Taiwanese society, especially regarding the introduction of modern medicine and the Western education system. Later on, it became politically active, supporting the struggle for human rights, minority rights, democratization, and the creation of Taiwanese national identity. Through its commitment to political and social reform, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan has built an excellent reputation among Taiwanese society and has become well-known outside Christian circles. The chapter shows how Presbyterianism transformed from its early days as a foreign mission spreading the Christian Gospel into being a localized church acting as an agent for political change in Taiwan.