Cambodian Evangelicalism: Cosmological Hope and Diasporic Resilience

The Cambodian Civil War and genocide of the late 1960s and 70s left long-lasting trauma that continues to reverberate through the community. This book explores the compelling stories of Cambodian evangelicals and how their testimonials to the Christian faith helped them to make sense of and find purpose in their trauma. It examines questions of religious identity and the search for meaning within the context of transnational Cambodian evangelicalism, which is a small minority of the predominantly Buddhist diaspora.

Format: Hardback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 15 December 2023
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

The Cambodian Civil War and the genocide that occurred in the late 1960s and early 1970s left a profound and lasting impact on the country and its diaspora. In her book, Briana L. Wong delves into the compelling stories of Cambodian evangelicals, their journey of conversion, and how their testimonies of faith have helped them to make sense of and find purpose in the trauma they have experienced.

Wong conducted extensive ethnographic fieldwork with Cambodian communities in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Paris, and Phnom Penh to explore the complexities of religious identity and the search for meaning within the context of transnational Cambodian evangelicalism. While the community has grown in recent decades, Christians still constitute a small minority among the predominantly Buddhist diaspora. Wong examines what makes these converts willing to risk their social standing, familial bonds, and even physical safety to identify with the Christian faith.

This book contributes to ongoing discussions on conversion, reverse mission, and multiple religious belonging. It will appeal to students and scholars of world Christianity, missiology, the history of Christianity, Southeast Asian studies, secular sociologies, and anthropologists working in the field of religious studies.

Through her research, Wong sheds light on the resilience and adaptability of the Cambodian people, as well as the power of faith to provide solace and hope in the face of adversity. Her book offers a valuable perspective on the complexities of religious conversion and the role of Christianity in shaping the lives of individuals and communities.

Weight: 386g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271095479