Christian Mission in Seventeenth-Century Taiwan

Christopher Joby, Ph.D. (2006), Durham University, is a Research Associate at the Centre of Taiwan Studies, SOAS, University of London. He has published many articles on “Aboriginal Taiwan” and the Dutch colonial period, and authored two chapters in the Handbook of Formosan Languages (Brill, 2024).

• AcknowledgementsList of Figures, Maps and TablesAbbreviationsMaps of TaiwanPrologue1 Introduction2 Reception studies3 Missionary linguistics4 Other Themes and Concluding Remarks1 Dutch and Spanish colonisation and mission in Taiwan: the Prelude1 Introduction2 Humanism3 Printing4 The European Reformation5 Christian mission outside Europe6 Conclusion2 Dutch colonisation and mission in Taiwan1 Introduction2 ‘Aboriginal Taiwan’3 The prelude: before 16244 Mission before Candidius5 Dutch mission after the Dika event6 Junius’ mission7 The Dutch mission spreads beyond the Siraya8 The mission to the Favorlang9 Dutch mission in northern Taiwan10 Motivations for mission11 Conclusion3 How Dutch missionaries attempted to convert Formosans to Reformed Christianity: Texts1 Introduction2 Lexicons3 Catechisms4 Sermons5 Prayers and hymns6 Bible translations7 Conclusion4 How Dutch missionaries attempted to convert Formosans to Reformed Christianity: Beliefs and Practices1 Introduction2 Replacing many gods with one God3 Replacing Formosan laws with Judaeo-Christian laws4 Re-configuring time5 Rejection of mandatory abortion6 Building an Indigenous church7 The Diaconate8 Sacraments9 Marriage10 Funeral rites11 Conclusion5 Dutch Missionary Linguistics1 Introduction2 Learning and graphising Siraya and Favorlang3 Bridging the semantic gap4 Conclusion6 Catholic Mission in northern Taiwan1 Introduction2 Religious beliefs and practices of Indigenous people of pre-Spanish Philippines.3 Indigenous people in northern Taiwan and their religious beliefs and practices4 Sources for the study of the Spanish mission in Taiwan5 The Spanish Colonisation of Taiwan6 Spanish missionary activity in Taiwan7 Communicating the Gospel in words, actions, and objects8 Texts for spreading the Gospel: learners, vocabularies, and catechisms9 Texts written by missionary linguists in the Philippines10 Texts written by missionary linguists in Taiwan11 Use and Translation of the Bible12 The administering of the sacraments13 Material culture14 Burials15 Misericordia16 After 164217 Measures of success18 Conclusion7 After 1662 in Taiwan and Europe1 Introduction2 Inside Taiwan3 Outside Taiwan: Europe and the Dutch East Indies4 ConclusionEpilogueAppendix1: Dutch and Spanish missionaries and governorsAppendix2: Lord’s Prayer in Siraya by Robertus JuniusAppendix3: Names and domains of Siraya deities given by David WrightAppendix4: Prayers and sermons in Dutch compiled by Robertus JuniusBibliographyIndexes

“Christopher Joby’s most recent work, Christian Mission in Seventeenth-Century Taiwan, offers a comprehensive and meticulous account of the Dutch and Spanish missionary enterprises on the island between 1624 and 1662.”— José Eugenio Borao Mateo, The Catholic Historical Review, Book Review, 04 September 2025Read the full review here.“Christian Mission in Seventeenth-Century Taiwan is a highly recommended resource for scholars interested in the cultural and religious encounters between Europe and East Asia. It offers a valuable case study in early modern missionary linguistics, colonial strategies, and indigenous reception, all set within the unique historical context of seventeenth-century Taiwan.”— José Eugenio Borao Mateo, The Catholic Historical Review, Book Review, 04 September 2025Read the full review here.“Christopher Joby’s fascinating new work zooms in on the seventeenth century occupation of Taiwan by the Spanish and Dutch East India Company.”— Steven Crook, Taipei Times, Book Review, 24 July 2025Read the full review here.“Christopher Joby’s painstaking scholarship on this topic, however, reveals the on-going relevance of this period in the unfolding of Taiwan’s history, with theoretical contributions to mission studies and Indigenous studies.” —Scott E. Simon, Social Sciences and Mission, Book Review, Volume 38 (2025): Issue 3-4 (Nov 2025): pp. 410–412 “It is necessary reading for graduate students and advanced scholars in religion, Indigenous studies, and Taiwan studies.”—Scott E. Simon, Social Sciences and Mission, Book Review, Volume 38 (2025): Issue 3-4 (Nov 2025): pp. 410–412 “Joby’s meticulous research and clear expository style offer a range of scholars a comprehensive treatment of missions in seventeenth-century Taiwan and make a convincing case for their ongoing relevance.”—Charles H. Parker, The Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Book Review, Volume 77 (2026): Issue 2 (April 2026): pp. 437–438 Read the full review here.