基督教在六堆地區之傳播與發展

The Preaching and Development of Christianity in Liu-Dui Areas

「六堆」地區為台灣南部客家人群聚的地方。傳統的客家信仰，以敬家神為主，廟神次之，這種信仰傳統與一神宗教觀的基督教是極不相容的，因此教會人士要在客家聚落傳播福音實屬不易。學術界有關教會的研究，幾乎都是以天主教或基督長老教會為研究對象；關於客家族群的宗教議題，則以傳統民間信仰居多。基於基督教派在南部客庄的發展研究付之闕如，本研究擬以宏觀的角度，探討基督教如何在六堆地區紮根與發展、並且經過了時代的變遷，教會有何改變、當前各個教會的現況又是如何？本文採用歷史研究法，以有限的歷史文獻，加上訪談的方式收集資料，研究結果只提供初步的記錄與討論，當中所涉及人類學或社會學領域，以及基督教傳播對六堆客家文化的影響等問題，則有待更深入的研究。

This research aims to supplement an important but missing subject in Hakka study, which is Christianity in Hakka region. This research investigates how different sectors of Protestant cultivate and develop in Hakka region, discuss their responses to the change of social environment, and exhibit their current situations. The methodology of this research is primarily a historical approach. The limitations of text and data are complemented by extensive field study. This is, however, simply a preparatory work. Its result may initiate more comprehensive projects which demonstrate the complex scenario of Christian mission in Hakka region, scrutinize the interaction of different cultures and religions, specifically traditional Hakka religion and Christianity, analyze the relationship between social context and religious belief, and explore the possible development of Christianity in Hakka areas.