Teaching Confucianism in Christian Contexts

Abstract

Abstract This chapter frames the pedagogical issues surrounding teaching Confucianism in Christian contexts through the thematic lens of the “challenge of otherness.” Including Confucianism in the enterprise of Christian theological education helps identify numerous points of resonance between Confucian and Christian cultures. Interactions between Christian students from East Asian backgrounds and non‐Asian backgrounds can be enhanced by a shared curricular focus on Confucianism, especially through a collective consideration of whether and how Confucianism is a “religion.” Such “interreligious learning” has two distinct goals: understanding the “other” religion well and accurately and engaging in critical theological reflection on one's own spiritual location.