Table of Contents

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.