Ecotheology: Chinese Christian Perspectives (Open for Submission)

Call for Papers: Special Issue on "Ecotheology: Chinese Christian Perspectives"

Journal for the Study of Religion and History (JSRH)​

ISSN: 3068-4803 | Semi-Annual | Open Access (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

 

Guest Editor: Dr. Haoran ZHANG

PhD in Religious Studies (Chinese University of Hong Kong)

Visiting Professor (China Graduate School of Theology, HK)

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7107-0637

 

Introduction

The global ecological crisis poses one of the most profound challenges of our time, demanding responses from all fields of human thought and action. Within this context, religion, and Christianity in particular—has been both scrutinized for its historical complicity in fostering anthropocentric views of nature and celebrated for its resources in cultivating ecological stewardship. While the dialogue between ecology and Christian theology (often termed "ecotheology") has flourished in Western academic and ecclesiastical circles, the distinct voices, reflections, and practices emerging from Chinese Christian contexts remain significantly underexplored in global scholarship.

This special issue of the Journal for the Study of Religion and History seeks to address this gap. We aim to curate a collection of rigorous academic articles that investigate how Christian thought, within the unique socio-cultural, political, and religious landscape of China (including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and the diaspora), engages with ecological issues. We invite contributions that move beyond mere application of Western ecotheology and instead highlight the particularities, innovations, and potential contributions of Chinese Christian perspectives to the global conversation on religion and ecology.

Aims of the Special Issue

This special issue, guest-edited by Prof. Haoran Zhang (China Graduate School of Theology)​, has the following objectives:

1. To map the current state of ecological thinking within Chinese Christian theology and communities.
2. To foster critical and constructive dialogue between Christian theology, Chinese traditional thought (e.g., Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism), and contemporary ecological philosophies.
3. To explore the practical implications of ecotheology for church life, ethics, and public witness in Chinese societies.
4. To contribute original theological and historical insights from a Chinese context to the international field of religion and ecology.

Scope and Suggested Topics

We welcome submissions from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including religious studies, theology, history, sociology, ethics, and anthropology. Submissions may be theoretical, historical, or based on empirical case studies. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Ecclesiology and Environmental Praxis:​ How do Chinese Christian communities understand their role as "ecological communities"? What are the models of creation care, sustainable living, and ecological advocacy within local churches or Christian organizations in China?
• Public Theology and Ecological Ethics:​ How does Chinese Christian thought engage with state-led ecological policies (e.g., "Ecological Civilization")? What is the potential for a distinctly Christian ecological ethic to contribute to public discourse on sustainability, climate justice, and biodiversity in China?
• Animal Theology from a Chinese Christian Vantage Point:​ How can Chinese Christian theology reconceptualize the human-animal relationship? How does it engage with Buddhist or indigenous Chinese understandings of compassion for sentient beings, and how does it address issues of industrial animal agriculture and wildlife conservation?
• Apocalyptic Literature and Ecotheology:​ A critical re-examination of the Book of Revelation and other apocalyptic texts. How can these texts, often seen as endorsing world-denying or destructive views, be reinterpreted to offer resources for hope, resistance, and responsibility in the face of ecological catastrophe?
• Transhumanism, Technology and Ecology:​ A critical assessment of technological and transhumanist aspirations from a Chinese Christian ecological perspective. How does the quest for human enhancement through technology relate to the integrity of creation and the concept of creatureliness?
• Dialogue with Chinese Religious and Philosophical Traditions:​ Constructive engagements between Christian ecotheology and concepts such as Confucian "unity of heaven and humanity" (tianren heyi), Daoist "non-action" (wuwei), or Buddhist interdependence.
• Historical Case Studies:​ Investigations of historical interactions between Christian missionaries, indigenous communities, and local environments in China; or the ecological dimensions of the "Sino-Christian Theology" movement.
• Ecological Hermeneutics of the Bible:​ Explorations of how Scripture is read through an ecological lens in Chinese preaching, commentary, and piety.

Submission Guidelines

• Language:​ Manuscripts must be submitted in English.
• Article Type:​ We are soliciting full-length scholarly research articles. Book reviews or commentaries on the theme may also be considered.
• Style Guide:​ Manuscripts should include a title, abstract (200-250 words), 4-5 keywords, main text, conclusion, footnotes, and a bibliography.
• Length:​ There is no strict word limit, but articles typically range between 7,000 to 10,000 words (including notes and references).
• Originality:​ Submissions must be original work, not previously published or under consideration elsewhere.
• Peer Review:​ All research articles will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process.
• Fees & Remuneration:​ In line with JSRH's policy, there are no submission, processing, or publication fees (APCs). Authors of accepted papers will receive a remuneration of no less than RMB 3,000, subject to tax regulations.

Important Dates

• Deadline for Abstract/Proposal (Optional but Encouraged):​ June 1, 2026. Please send a 300-word abstract and a brief bio to the guest editor for preliminary feedback. zhanghr@link.cuhk.edu.hk
• Deadline for Full Manuscript Submission:​ October 1, 2026.
• Expected Publication:​ December 2026 Issue (Vol. 4, No. 2).

Contact and Submission

Please submit your full manuscript via email to the special issue editors and the journal's office:

• Primary Contact/Submission Email:​ JSRH@ccspub.cc and ReligionAndHistory@163.com
• Subject Line:​ "Submission for Special Issue: Ecotheology: Chinese Christian Perspectives "

For more information about the Journal for the Study of Religion and History, including its full aims and scope, editorial board, and access to previous articles, please visit the official website: https://ccspub.cc/jsrh

We eagerly await your contributions to this vital and timely exploration of  Ecotheology: Chinese Christian Perspectives.