"Christians in China: Before the Year 1550" is a comprehensive and scholarly investigation into the early history of Christianity within the Chinese Empire. This work provides a meticulous chronological account of Christian missions and communities from their earliest documented appearances in the 7th century through the mid-16th century. The text focuses on the arrival and development of the Nestorian Church during the Tang Dynasty, the subsequent Roman Catholic missions of the Franciscan friars during the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty, and the state of Christian enclaves leading up to the era of modern Jesuit missions.

By synthesizing a wide array of primary sources, including ancient inscriptions like the Nestorian Stele of Sian-fu and various contemporary Chinese historical records, A. C. Moule offers an essential study of cross-cultural religious exchange. The book examines the interactions between foreign faith traditions and Chinese political and social structures, providing valuable insight into the growth, influence, and eventual disappearance of these early Christian groups. "Christians in China: Before the Year 1550" serves as a vital resource for readers interested in the history of religion, sinology, and the medieval interactions between East and West.

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