Conservative in Theology, Liberal in Spirit: Modernism and the American Presbyterian Mission in Thailand, 1891-1941

Pickwick Publications

November 21, 2024

In the early twentieth century, theological modernism was gaining ground in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Conservatives claimed that there were modernists on the mission field but that the Board of Foreign Missions was doing nothing about it. In Thailand, the executive secretary of the American Presbyterian mission did not want to address the issue, claiming that “almost all of our Mission . . . are conservative in their theology, and liberal in their spirit.” But was it true? In this book, Karl Dahlfred explores letters, reports, and other archival sources to narrate instances and indicators of modernism among Presbyterian missionaries in Thailand. Officially committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ, American Presbyterian missionaries were increasingly divided over what that meant, and how to carry out their task. Were schools or evangelism the best mode of Christian influence? Did the Gospel need adjustment for the modern world? The mission formally maintained a conservative consensus, yet modernism was present. And fundamentalist-minded missionaries not happy about it. Scholars, missionaries, Thai Christians, and anyone interested in mission history or the long-term trajectory of Protestant work in Thailand will enjoy this exploration of an understudied chapter in the history of Christianity in Thailand.

Purchase from Wipf and Stock Publishers
Purchase from Kanok Bannasan (OMF Publishers Thailand)

"History of Christianity in Thailand" 

in Missions in Southeast Asia: Diversity and Unity in God’s Design, ed. Kiem-Kiok Kwa and Samuel Ka-Chieng Law (Carlisle, UK: Langham Publishing, 2022).

September 2022

"Chapter 8 - History of Christianity in Thailand" provides a brief survey of the development of Christianity in Thailand from the early nineteenth century through the present, providing students, laypeople, and scholars alike an understanding of the broad contours of Protestant history in this Southeast Asian nation.

Purchase from Langham Publishing

"Missionary Communication When Locals Are Listening" 

in Emerging Faith (Seanet 16): Lessons from Mission History in Asia, ed. Paul H. De Neui (Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Publishing, 2020).

January 2020

"Chapter 4- Missionary Communication When Locals are Listening" gives three case studies of missionary communication gone awry in order to highlight common causes of communication mishaps and to suggests guidelines for minimizing such missteps among both foreign missionaries and local Christians in Buddhist cultures. The author provides two historical examples and one modern example of mishaps in missionary communication in Thailand that also bear relevance for cross-cultural Gospel communication beyond the contexts of Southeast Asia and Buddhist-majority cultures. After narrating the three case studies in some detail, these incidents are used as reference points in identifying causes of missionary miscommunication and suggesting solutions for modern Gospel communicators.

Purchase from the William Carey Publishers

เสาหลักห้าประการของโปรเตสแตนต์ (The Five Pillars of the Protestant Faith)

co-authored with Rung Rangsanachin, Seree Lorgunpai, Natee Tanchanpongs, and Chaiwat Chawmuangman

Thailand Protestant Churches Coordinating Committee

October 2017

Many Thai Protestants today are unsure what it means to be Protestant. There are so many denominations. What do they have in common? This Thai language book introduces readers to the Five Solas of the Protestant Reformation in order to help them understand the essentials of the Christian faith that unite Christians from various denominations and why they matter for life in the present day. The book is written by Rung Rangsanachin, Seree Lorgunpai, Natee Tanchanpongs, Chaiwat Chawmuangman, and Karl Dahlfred. Karl contributed chapter 1 “What are the Five Pillars of the Protestant Faith?” and chapter 6 “Soli Deo Gloria."

Purchase from Radiant Book Centre

คำสอนเพื่อชีวีต (Thai Christian Catechism)

co-authored with Natee Tanchanpongs and Chaiyasit Suebthayat

Grace City Bangkok

May 2016

The "Thai Christian Catechism" presents the foundations of the Christian faith using a question and answer format and can be used as a tool in teaching and explaining the faith accurately, concisely, and clearly. It provides a foundation for applying Christian faith to everyday life. The Thai Christian Catechism is anchored in the Word of God, and includes clear Scripture references for each question and answer pair. Additionally, the catechism provides a framework and a model that helps the reader to grow in their ability to correctly interpret the Bible. The catechism explains the Gospel, refutes errant teaching, and forms our lives according to the model we have in Jesus Christ.

Purchase from Kanok Bannasan (OMF Publishers Thailand)

Daniel McGilvary: Pioneer Missionary to Northern Thailand

Amazon Digital Services

February 28, 2013

When Daniel McGilvary arrived in Chiang Mai in 1867, there was not a single Christian believer. In the 40 years that followed, McGilvary evangelized tireless, made disciples, and planted the very first churches in Northern Thailand. How did he do it? In this short biography, missionary and author Karl Dahlfred recounts the amazing ministry of this faithful nineteenth-century missionary pioneer.

Theology Drives Methodology: Conversion in the Theology of Charles Finney and John Nevin

Amazon Digital Services

May 11, 2012

In “Theology Drives Methodology”, Karl Dahlfred examines the theology and methods of Charles Finney and John Nevin, demonstrating how the different beliefs of these two men led them to radically different conclusions about the best methods to use in promoting the Gospel. Finney’s beliefs led him to use high-pressure revival meetings to induce conversions. Nevin’s beliefs led him to emphasize...more