INTRODUCTION
This introductory bibliography was originally published in 1990 for the Malaysian Church History Study Group by Seminari Theoloji Malaysia and the Catholic Research Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian Church History Series, No. 2. This web edition was set up in 1997. In October 2002 it was updated and as a subweb of the website roxborogh.com. There is now a vastly greater list of papers, research and reference resources and the task of keeping it up to date daunting. I hope that in a small way this is still a useful guide.
It began life in connection with classes in Malaysian Church History (thanks to STM students!) and then as the second of a series of writings on Malaysian Church History produced by members of the Malaysian Church History Study Group under the auspices of Seminari Theoloji Malaysia and the Catholic Research Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Study Group adopted the following guidelines:
"In its publications the Malaysian Church History Study Group wishes it to be understood that views expressed by individual authors are theirs alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers, the Study Group, or sponsoring organizations.
At the same time, material accepted for publication is expected to be marked by objectivity of approach, sensitivity to different views that may be held on different subjects, and a sympathetic rather than a partisan approach to issues. We seek to promote writing and research that is of good quality and that is fair to the range of opinions that one would naturally expect to find in any historical project. A balanced approach will seek to concentrate on issues rather than personalities, be understanding of people’s ideals and intentions, and judicious in its analysis. The tone as well as the content is very important. Indignation and condemnation, for example, are inappropriate to the sort of work we are trying to promote."
Notwithstanding the ongoing need for more historical writing produced by and for Malaysians, and analysis which deals adequately with modern questions, there is a vast amount of material available relating to the history of Christianity in Malaysia.
This second publication in the ‘Malaysian Church History Series’ aimed to provide a record of archives and publications in different parts of the world relating to Malaysia and Singapore. It has been arranged by denomination or society, ethnic group, region, period and theme, and this structure is retained even where, as in some cases, no entries have been made.
A few apologies are in order. Entries are primarily in English with only some theses in the national language, Bahasa Malaysia. Further work is also needed to locate material in Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Swedish and Tamil. A good deal of miscellaneous material such as souvenir booklets, smaller pamphlets and parish magazines have not been included although these are often important sources. It has not been possible to be totally rigorous about placing entries in all categories for which they have relevance. The location of material is not indicated and thought will be needed to track down some items. Annotations are provided for some entries, but not for all. The periodisation may appear colonial but prior to Merdeka [Independence] it is difficult to escape the effect of externally determined events. It is hoped that errors are limited, but advice of corrections and notice of items for future inclusion will be gratefully accepted.
Addresses of churches and of para-church organizations, can be found in the directories edited by Kao Keng-Tai and Dorothy Kao published by Singapore Every Home Crusade and available from 04-07 Bible House, 7 Armenian Street, Singapore 0617.
I would like to express my appreciation to Haji Ibrahim bin Ismail and Mr Soong Mun Wai of the University of Malaya Library for their gracious assistance and also offer thanks for all kinds of help to those associated with the Malaysian Church History Study Group, particularly Hwa Yung, Robert Hunt and Dr Lee Kam Hing.
John Roxborogh, May 1990.
THE MALAYSIAN CHURCH HISTORY STUDY GROUP
In September 1984 a group of Christians concerned about the writing of the history of the Church in Malaysia, met under the auspices of Seminari Theoloji Malaysia and the Catholic Research Centre to consider what needed to be done.
It was decided to enlist the involvement and co-operation of as many churches and groups as possible so that together we could encourage research and writing.
How you can help.
You may know of church magazines, old minute books, diaries or photographs which help tell the story during significant times in Malaysia’s history. You may be able to interview older members of your congregation. A coming anniversary or jubilee may stimulate the writing of a parish history.
We would like to hear from you if you are engaged in research of any kind, or about to be engaged in research.
We invite you to write to:
The Archivist,
Seminari Theologi Malaysia,
Lot 3011, Taman South East,
Jalan Tampin Lama, Batu 3,
70100 Seremban Negri Sembilan D. K.
Malaysia