Charles Gützlaff: his secret and sacred services. Issue 1 (2nd January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ih-Ren Mong, Ambrose
• Is Part Of: International journal for the study of the Christian church. Volume 16:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 57
• Publication Date: 2016-01-02
• Subjects: Charles Gützlaff -- Chinese Union -- Christianity in China -- Hugh Gough -- Jardine-Matheson; Church history -- Periodicals; Theology -- Periodicals; 260.9
• DOI: 10.1080/1474225X.2016.1157967
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-225X

Abstract

Abstract: Karl (Charles) Friedrich August Gützlaff (1803–1851) was probably the most controversial and colourful missionary who ever stepped onto the shores of China during the second quarter of the nineteenth century. No one doubted his passion and sincerity in bringing Christianity to China, but many were critical of the way he did it. Thus Gützlaff's life and work have been vilified and maligned by many scholars. Many critics dismissed him as the archetypal skeleton in the missionary cupboard. Gützlaff was described as a cross between parson and pirate. At the same time, others, such as Alfred Broomhall, regarded him as a heroic and innovative missionary. In this article, I shall attempt to portray a more balanced understanding of Gützlaff.