Editorial

The establishment of the Old Protestant Cemetery in Macao in 1821 marked a turning point in the history of religious coexistence in this former Portuguese colony. Before its creation, the burial of Protestants in Macao—a Catholic territory—was fraught with challenges. The Cemetery’s establishment not only resolved this issue but also became a powerful symbol of peaceful coexistence between Catholics and Protestants, reflecting an ecumenical spirit that resonates locally and globally. To commemorate the bicentennial anniversary of the Cemetery, this issue is dedicated to exploring Protestantism in Macao as a tribute to this harmonious relationship between Christian denominations in the Far East.

The journey to secure burial grounds for Protestants in a Catholic colony was not an easy one. Robert Morrison, the first Protestant missionary to China, played a pivotal role in this effort. In recognition of his contributions, the first two articles of this issue focus on Morrison and his legacy.

The opening article, “Translating the Bible into Chinese: Robert Morrison’s Decision to Render the Divine Appellative as a Test Case” by Andrew LEONG Chin Hei, examines one of Morrison’s greatest achievements: producing and publishing one of the first complete translations of the Bible in Chinese. Leong provides a concise history of earlier Chinese Bible translations before delving into Morrison’s work. The article concludes with a thought-provoking analysis of the Studium Biblicum Version (commonly known as the Sigao version), the first complete Catholic Chinese translation of the Bible. As a Catholic biblical scholar, Leong draws insights from Morrison’s translation to reflect on the broader landscape of Bible translations in China.

The second article, “Robert Morrison’s Spiritual Roots” by Robert Lawrence BALLEW, explores the spiritual foundation that sustained Morrison through the immense challenges he faced as the first Protestant missionary to China. Using tools of analysis from social philosopher Charles Taylor, BALLEW paints a nuanced portrait of Morrison’s spirituality, shaped not only by his mystical experiences but also by the everyday realities of his upbringing and life circumstances. This article provides a compelling glimpse into the inner life of a remarkable historical figure.

Shifting focus to another stage of Protestantism in China, Jackson TSUI’s article, “The Life of the First Pentecostal Missionary to China,” chronicles the life of Thomas J. McIntosh, who introduced Pentecostalism to the country. TSUI traces McIntosh’s journey from his early years to his arrival in Macao, detailing the triumphs and setbacks that defined his life and mission. The article highlights McIntosh’s contributions to Pentecostalism, his rejection by fellow Pentecostalists in North Carolina, and the complexities of his later years, offering valuable insights into the roots of Pentecostalism in Macao.

Concluding this issue, Roberto CEOLIN’s article, “Natural Law and the Jewish Hălāḵâ: Are the Noahide Mitzvot an Example of Reason-Revealed Universal Moral Laws in Rabbinic Judaism?” expands the discussion beyond Protestant missions in Macao to a broader philosophical and theological plane. Building on his previous work on Natural Law, CEOLIN examines its relationship with the Mishnaic tradition. Contrary to prevailing scholarly consensus, he argues that Mishnaic moral teachings, as reflected in its legal tradition, are deeply influenced by Natural Law thinking. This exploration bridges diverse intellectual traditions and enriches the discourse on universal moral principles.

This issue also marks the introduction of two significant changes to our journal, reflecting the ecumenical spirit celebrated in its pages. First, to better serve as a platform with a global outlook and to represent the full scope of our faculty’s expertise, the subtitle of our journal now reads “Perspectives in Religious Studies and Philosophy.” Second, to enhance accessibility for readers from diverse linguistic backgrounds, abstracts of all articles will now be available in Traditional Chinese and Portuguese.

We hope that this special issue not only honors the legacy of the Old Protestant Cemetery but also inspires deeper reflection on the themes of faith, coexistence, and dialogue across traditions.

Andrew, Chin Hei Leong (Editor)