Abstract

Oral history far from being a poor imitation or inadequate substitute for history is an essential element of what history is all about.  Our own personal stories played an essential role in shaping who we are. The same can be said of groups of people.  All have stories of their own kept alive in the shared memory of the people.  These stories are what sustains a collectivity’s beliefs and mores, fashion its identity, and illustrate its history.   As years go by, new stories are preserved that continue to reflect the ongoing life of the group.

It is in this context that I first discuss oral history and look at its strengths and weaknesses.  I then describe how to make use of it by itself or in combination with another academic discipline for research on Chinese Christianity.  Difficulties, obstacles, and changes within the present national and local political and social contexts are addressed.  Examples, based on my own experience and that of Chinese colleagues, illustrate the presentation.

Because Christianity in China spans over many centuries, many aspects still needs to be further researched.  For obvious reasons, until recently many scholars from the PRC shunned the second half of the twentieth century.  The few Chinese publications that discussed Christianity during that period have been more than often politically motivated rather than objectively conducted. Today academic freedom and research possibilities have greatly improved. Despite the persistence of pitfalls, I believe time has come for PRC scholars to approach the study of Christianity during those fifty years with an open mind and in a professional manner.  Collecting the stories of Christian individuals and communities will be an important step in that direction.