Date of Award
2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (Christian Studies) - MA (CSt)
Department
Theology
First Advisor/Committee Member
Kristine Gritter, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction
Keywords
Spiritual formation; Yang, Gene Luen, 1973- . Boxers & saints; China—History—Boxer Rebellion, 1899-1901; Christians—China; Persecution—China; Graphic novels—History and criticism; Young adult fiction—History and criticism; Comic books, strips, etc.—History and criticism
Abstract
The thesis examines the spiritual development of young adult protagonists depicted in Boxers and saints by Gene Luen Yang using the framework of six spiritual components and the approach of critical content analysis. It shows that the six elements, journey, transcendence, community, religion, mystery of creation, and transformation, are involved regardless of different religions people are converted to. In addition, religions provide an avenue for spirituality to mature given that spirituality is an intrinsic and universal characteristic of human beings regardless of their religious beliefs or lack of them. Finally, spirituality is not superior to religions because of the two types of spirituality, pathological and mature.
Recommended Citation
Bian, Xu, "Spiritual Formation of Young Adults in China: A Case Study of Protagonists in Boxers and Saints" (2016). Seattle Pacific Seminary Theses. 4.
https://digitalcommons.spu.edu/spseminary_etd/4
Copyright Status
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Additional Rights Information
Copyright held by author.
Included in
Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons, Chinese Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, Missions and World Christianity Commons, Practical Theology Commons