Interview with Xiaoli Yang
Liz Jakimow interviewed CRES scholar, Xiaoli Yang, on world Christianity, poetry and the arts.
Your areas of expertise include intercultural theology, world Christianity, and ethno-hermeneutics. How did you become interested in these fields?
I grew up in China – the land where poetry has been highly valued in Chinese tradition since ancient times. My journey began with a simple yet profound question that I never found answers to in either secular schools or theological training: What does Chinese poetry have to do with theology? This question arose in my search for faith in Australia. I was told by some Christian leaders to discard my poetry books because they were written by non-believers. Later I found little mention of poetry in theological education. Back in the ‘90s and early 2000s, even seminary libraries lacked resources that connecting faith with art. As a poet myself, I often pondered a way to bridge this gap.
This led me to write my PhD dissertation on intercultural theology, exploring how different cultural forms—like Chinese poetry—can inform our understanding of theology. Over time, my work expanded to include ethno-hermeneutics and world Christianity, which explores Christianity’s global impact from different historical, cultural and geographical perspectives.
I’m currently co-editing a volume on decolonizing missiology. This work highlights how indigenous groups, such as Pacific Islanders and Latin Americans, communicate through storytelling, music, and poetry—forms of indigenous expression of the Christian faith that are not Eurocentric or American-centric. This helps us understand knowledge in ways that are deeply rooted in local cultures, empowering communities to speak from their local contexts and experiences.
In a pluralistic society, how can Christianity contribute, and how should the Church engage with it?
The Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture promotes the idea of “wisdom for the common good.” This is central to how we approach Christianity in a pluralistic society. As humans, we share a common humanity before we identify as Christians. We all desire beauty, truth, and goodness, and we all experience suffering, loss, and longing for compassion and acceptance.
Christianity’s role in society is not only about proclaiming a message but about embodying it. Jesus offers us an example of how to live as a true human being—he experienced all aspects of human life, yet remained faithful to God. Our witness, then, should be one of action as well as words. Christianity is not only something we preach but something we demonstrate through how we live, serve, and engage with others.
The Church must listen deeply, with humility and compassion, to the diverse voices in our communities. Instead of imposing a pre-determined judgment or viewpoint, we need to listen with open hearts to the experiences and struggles of people from all walks of life. Christianity has always been contextual—embedded in its particular culture, but always challenging that culture. As society evolves, so too must the Church adapt. Christianity cannot remain static, relying solely on past traditions. It is always in the process of renewal, responding to cultural changes with sensitivity and humility.
Your PhD Monograph focused on the dialogue between Haizi's poetry and the Gospel of Luke. How does this integration work?
My book explores the theme of homecoming in both Haizi’s poetry and the Gospel of Luke. It is an attempt to peel off the multi-layers of the social and cultural tree through a poetic lens, and engage with the person of Jesus Christ through the lens of Luke. Haizi, a legendary Chinese poet, uses the concept of home in his work to reflect on human longing and the search for belonging. He looks to the Chinese tradition (mainly Daoist) of where we come from and where we ultimately return, while seeking a pathway through the Western tradition. In contrast, the Gospel of Luke presents a vision of home as God’s presence in the world—an inclusive, loving, and hospitable space where all people are welcomed. This is provided by Jesus who walks on the way of the Cross.
By bringing Haizi’s poetry to the gospel of Luke in a mutually enriching conversation, I find the common yet powerful language between the Haizi and Jesus: homelessness, table fellowship, brokenness and surrender. This becomes a crucial and rich source of data for an ongoing table conversation on a homecoming journey.
How can an aesthetic or artistic approach help us live productively together? Can you share examples from your work or teaching?
Aesthetics have a profound ability to heal, especially during times of trauma or emotional pain. For example, I recently led a session during a day of lament where we read poetry and reflected on creation. People shared that it felt like a spiritual exercise—an invitation to step outside, pay attention to the world around us, and wait for beauty to reveal itself. There’s a power in beauty that can restore and renew, even in difficult moments.
Thomas Merton once spoke about contemplation as a gift, an invitation to open our eyes to the subtle rhythms of the world. When we pause, as I do when sitting in my garden, we might notice a small detail—a flower, a breeze—that speaks to us and draws us into a deeper connection with God. There’s an underlying rhythm to life that we often overlook, but it’s there, and it calls us to respond, perhaps by taking greater care in how we treat the environment or how we create in our daily lives.
In my teaching, I use art, music, and poetry as ways to help students connect with the spiritual lives of different cultures. For instance, when teaching about African Christianity, I encourage students to embody the faith by dancing to African music, recognising that spirituality in many cultures is expressed physically and aesthetically. These embodied practices—such as dancing, singing, reading poetry or simply contemplating nature—help students experience the lived realities of faith in diverse cultures, far beyond theoretical knowledge.
What role do the arts play in shaping Christianity’s impact on culture?
The arts are a powerful way of expressing faith and engaging with the world. They offer a unique lens through which to understand beauty, truth, and human dignity. In times of crisis—like during the COVID-19 pandemic—people turn to creativity as a form of expression and healing. I think that art unveils new possibilities for beauty and hope, opening spiritual horizons and offering an alternative vision of life.
Poetry, for instance, bear witness to human dignity and the sacredness of life, calling us to respond with compassion and to work toward a world that flourishes. Arts are not merely expressions of personal creativity; they are ways of co-labouring with God, participating in the divine act of creating beauty and meaning in a broken world.
The arts invite us to embody our faith in ways that transcend verbal expression. Through visual arts, music, dance, and poetry, we can communicate a gospel of hope, justice, and healing in powerful ways that touch the heart and soul, opening doors for connection across cultures.
You are also a bilingual poet with a YouTube channel. What motivated you to create poetry for this format, and how does it benefit you spiritually?
I’ve always written poetry, even from a young age, but the YouTube channel offers a new dimension by combining multimedia elements. It’s not just about words; it’s about how visuals, music, and rhythm combine to create a deeper experience that resonates with the heart and soul. Poetry is a gift, something I share freely.
Poetry is more than just words; it taps into the rhythm and beauty of life, offering metaphors that transcend cultural boundaries. Metaphor is the universal language of the heart—it speaks to our shared humanity and our longing for connection. Through poetry, I believe we can understand the Bible’s message of love in ways that reach deep into our souls, reminding us that all of life is a form of art.
I would love to see the conversation around aesthetics, poetry, and art become central in theological education and spiritual formation. While these topics are often relegated to the margins, they are critical in understanding faith and life in our world.
Final thoughts on the power of art and poetry in theology?
Art and poetry are crucial in shaping how we engage with faith and culture. They invite us into a deeper relationship with God and with one another, fostering community, compassion, and transformation. Through creative expressions, we participate in God’s redemptive work, cultivating a vision of the world as it could be—a place where beauty, truth, and goodness reign.
Poetry on Youtube: @xyangbridgingthegap
Reflective articles: https://www.chinasource.org/multi_author/xiaoli-yang/