Medieval Christian Missions to Asia: Shifting Strategies and Goals (original) (raw)

Abstract

Presentation was given at the XXI. IAHR Wold Congress in Erfurt, Germany. The paper presents major shifts in the development of medieval Christian missionary efforts which were made during the 13th and 14th centuries in Asia by Franciscan and Dominican friars. Reports of such missionaries as William of Rubruck, John of Plano Carpini, John of Montecorvino, Jordan of Catala and others are used as sources for this analysis. The main aim of the paper is to show transformation of missionary strategies as a process of more or less successful adaptation of particular missionaries in new cultural and religious environment, their flexibility and ability to focus on a prospective group of converts. In connection to this process not only the missionary strategies changed, but also their original goals were redefined. Representation of these goals, original and new ones, within the context of missionary reports and their desired effect on European audience is also discussed.

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