Des passeurs pour une « religion de contrebande »

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The presentation offers valuable insights into the often-overlooked role of local intermediaries in missionary history. Roux’s argument is well-supported by specific examples and primary sources, demonstrating the complexity of these networks. He effectively challenges the traditional Eurocentric narrative by highlighting the agency of Asian Christians. The argumentation is solid, though it relies heavily on anecdotal evidence from specific cases, which may limit generalizability. Nonetheless, the value lies in bringing attention to these marginalized figures and their crucial contributions.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

Roux demonstrates rigorous use of sources, comparing Chinese and Latin documents to reconstruct events from multiple perspectives. He acknowledges the asymmetrical nature of the sources and the need for careful interpretation. The title accurately captures the theme of clandestine religious activity and the role of intermediaries. The presentation is well-researched, though it is a conference talk and not a peer-reviewed publication. The speaker’s expertise is evident, and he provides a nuanced analysis of the historical context.

The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on intermediaries ('passeurs') who facilitated the clandestine spread of Christianity ('religion de contrebande') in East Asia.

8/10

The speaker is a historian specializing in Christianity in Asia, using primary sources in multiple languages (Chinese, Latin, Korean). The presentation is well-structured and grounded in archival research, though it is a conference talk rather than a peer-reviewed publication.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction: Roux explains his research projects and the focus on intermediaries.
• 02:00Story of André Kim's shipwreck and the Chinese governor's report.
• 05:00Comparison of Chinese and Latin sources on the same event.
• 10:00Map of MEP missions and the context of Christianity's prohibition in Asia.
• 15:00Discussion of mobility control and the concept of 'contraband religion'.
• 20:00Categorization of intermediaries based on Metcalfe's work.
• 25:00Examples of Chinese intermediaries: Joseph Wang, Jean-Fan, Augustin Koh.
• 30:00Focus on Korean intermediaries: André Kim and Thomas Choi.
• 35:00André Kim's travels and his role as interpreter and guide.
• 40:00Conclusion: The importance of these intermediaries and the need for further research.

• The Holy Broker: André Kim Taegon and the Intermediaries of the Paris Foreign Missions in East Asia — Roux's biographical project on André Kim, mentioned in the introduction.
• Transgressive Mobility in the 15th and 19th Centuries — Roux's research project at the EFEO, focusing on illegal mobility.
• Go-Betweens and the Colonization of Brazil, 1500-1600 — Book by Alida Metcalfe, used for the categorization of intermediaries.
• La Londe de la Race — Doctoral thesis by Clément Fabre, mentioned for the concept of 'fixer'.
• The Contraband Religions — Book by Henri Des Roches, source of the term 'religion de contrebande'.

• The Holy Broker: André Kim Taegon and the Intermediaries of the Paris Foreign Missions in East Asia — Roux's own biographical project, which aligns with the presentation's themes.
• Go-Betweens and the Colonization of Brazil, 1500-1600 — Metcalfe's work provides a theoretical framework that supports Roux's analysis.

• The Contraband Religions — While Roux uses this term, the book may have a different focus or interpretation, but it is not directly contradictory.