From Pontius Pilate to Chairman Mao: Religion and Politics

Throughout history, religious beliefs and faith-based movements have played a crucial role in resisting authoritarianism, advocating for human rights, and inspiring social change. This event will explore the intersection of faith, dissidence, and political power across history and cultures.

Harrington Spear Paine Professor at Princeton University Elaine Pagels and David C. Steinmetz Distinguished Professor of World Christianity at Duke Divinity School Lian Xi will discuss these themes and draw parallels between their recent books. Pagels’ new book, Miracles and Wonder: The Historical Mystery of Jesus (Doubleday, 2025) provides a new account of the life of Jesus that explores the mystery of how a poor young man inspired a religion that reshaped the world. Lian’s book Blood Letters: The Untold Story of Lin Zhao, A Martyr in Mao’s China (Basic Books, 2018) tells the story of the dissident Lin Zhao, a devout Christian who was imprisoned and ultimately executed for her beliefs during China’s Cultural Revolution. In conversation, the authors will discuss similarities between the birth of Christianity under Roman occupation and religious belief in the Maoist area viewed through the story of Lin Zhao.

By comparing these two seemingly unrelated historical contexts, the discussion, moderated by Arthur Ross Director of the Asia Society Center on US-China Relations Orville Schell, will shed light on the enduring power of faith, moral conviction and higher loyalties than to the state in the face of political oppression.

An author book signing will follow the discussion, and copies of Miracles and Wonder and Blood Letters will be available for purchase.