Orienting a Transnational Lived Theology for Asian America: Becoming Friends on the Way

Abstract

Reflecting on the life and death of Feng Daoyou, one of the victims of the 2021 Atlanta shootings, this article introduces a transnational orientation for discerning lived theology focused on the liminal and contingent natures of Asian American experience applied across cultural and geographical contexts between Asia and America. This orientation is rooted in three traits: an abductive posture toward the unfamiliar; a critical impulse toward nationality and empire; and a co-constructive sensibility that embraces our shared conditions across boundaries. These traits are illustrated with the author's research with mainland Chinese Christian sojourners in Hong Kong and examples from new media outlets that explore transnational links and religious heritages.