Harmonious Disagreement: Matteo Ricci and His Closest Chinese Friends

Contents: The Useful Instructions of Disagreement - Preparing the Ground for Evangelism: Matteo Ricci's Terms of Endearment in Jiaoyou Lun - Reading Theism into Confucianism: Matteo Ricci's Ambiguous Alliance in Tianzhu Shiyi - Arousing Antagonism out of Buddhism: Matteo Ricci's Deliberate Provocation in Tianzhu Shiyi - Making Use of Stoicism: Matteo Ricci's Surprising Breakthrough in Ershiwu - The Ambiguity of Intimacy and Distance: The Exemplary Friendship of Qu Taisu - The Intricacies of Motivation and Benefit: The Catholic Faith of Xu Guangqi - The Attractions of Science and Spirituality: The Independent Journey of Li Zhizao into Catholicism - The Many Kinds of Acceptance and Rejection: The Ideological Commitment of Yang Tingyun - Conclusion: The Enduring Lesson of History.