Adapting Ministry to New Technology
This issue of Pray for China largely focuses on the growing need to adapt traditional ministry to the demands of an increasingly digital world. Christian Communications Ltd. (CCL), the group responsible for Pray for China, offer their perspective on why working to embrace technological trends is not only a way to meet the needs for pastoral care, but also a way to reach out to a generation that expects information to be available on a digital platform. continued »
Christianity in China: Some Recent Books
The following is a list of some of the scholarly books related Christianity in China that have appeared in the last fifteen years. Many more could have been included. continued »
Transformations needed now in Chinese Christianity
The latest issue of ChinaSource Journal featured several very important articles dealing with major changes that must take place in the Chinese church for it to bear effective witness to Jesus Christ. continued »
The Greatest Threat to the Chinese Church (2): Popular Religion
In recent decades, Chinese popular religion – sometimes called folk religion – has staged a massive comeback, especially in the countryside. In a land where religions of all sorts were banned and apparently banished forever during the Great Cultural Revolution (1966 -1976), things have returned to “normal,” with the added presence of Christianity. continued »
The Greatest Threat to the Chinese Church
One of the principal streams of Chinese culture is Confucianism in its many forms and expressions. After reading several chapters on the interplay between Confucianism and Christianity in Christianity and Chinese Culture, I am even more convinced of its pervasive presence not only in Chinese society but in the Chinese church. Allow me to explain. continued »
Book Review: Exiles of Hope
“I told Jesus I would follow Him wherever He led me.” This statement of faith, affirmed by various characters throughout Exiles of Hope, defines the determination and perseverance that characterized the underground church in the early decades of Communist China. continued »
A Call for Comprehensive Change
Inside China’s House Church Network, by Yalin Xin, describes a remarkable movement of believers who were willing to sell all for the pearl of great price, and to sacrifice everything for the Kingdom of God. Guided by the Word of God and empowered by his Spirit, they built a movement that brought millions to saving faith and new life. continued »
Back to Basics: A Look at Fundamental Needs of Churches in China
The February/March issue of Pray for China focuses on the basic foundational needs of a fruitful church in China. The articles point out that without a solid groundwork, Chinese churches will continue to struggle with growth and development. continued »
Points of Contact: Confucianism and Christianity
With the influence of Confucius and Confucianism once again rising in China, Christians must find effective avenues of approach to deal with this pervasive cultural force. As with other elements of any culture, Christians can take several possible stances: They can utterly ignore Confucianism; totally reject it; assimilate it into Christianity with little critique; or affirm certain aspects of it while challenging, correcting, and even replacing others with biblical truth. continued »
Article Review: “Church Development in Remote Parts of China”
Much like the economic situation in China, there is a significant disparity between rural and costal churches in terms of development. continued »
Article Review: “Changing Worshipping Styles”
“What should a Christian Church in China look like?” This is the main question Leung answers in this article about the evolution and development of worshipping styles throughout mainland China. continued »
Snapshot for a New Decade: The Mind of a Chinese College Student Right Now
A snapshot of the current Chinese college student does not come out as a blank slate, but rather as a changing mosaic. continued »
Joy & Mourning
Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief. Proverbs 14:13 In hindsight we can often see God transforming evil into good. The Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution in China were horrendous, but planted... continued »
Review of: Christians in China: A.D. 600 to 2000
This is a marvelous book, and represents the learned Sinology of a long line of French Roman Catholic scholars, going back for hundreds of years. Though he devotes most of his attention to the story of Roman Catholicism, the author does give fair and generous summaries of important aspects of Protestantism in China. continued »
The Strategic Role of Overseas Chinese in the Growth of the Chinese Church
When the story of the stupendous growth of the protestant church in China is fully told, the part played by overseas Chinese believers will surely be a prominent theme. This autobiography of Theodore (“Ted”) Choy (Tsai ), written by his wife Leona, contains in the life of one intrepid man the various ways in which Chinese living outside of Mainland China have contributed to the spread of the Gospel there. continued »
Review of: Witnesses to Power: Stories of God’s Quiet Work in a Changing China
The stories in Witnesses to Power come from one end of China to the other. They speak of rural and urban evangelism; healing and exorcism, compassionate care for needy children, community life of the Jesus family, church planting and growth in remote areas not penetrated by outside Christian witness, and the impact of the gospel to produce economic prosperity. continued »
Between Two Worlds: J. Hudson Taylor and the Clash between British and Chinese Customs, Cultures, and Laws
In this paper, I shall try to show that these were all natural products of one basic motivation: the desire to imitate Jesus Christ the Incarnate Word of God, who “became flesh and dwelt among us.” Hudson Taylor believed not only in the theological truth of this creedal affirmation, but also in its missiological necessity and the numerous practical advantages which flowed from following the example of Christ. continued »
China Rising in Historical Perspective, Part II
In the light of all this, we can see that China’s rise presents both opportunities and challenges to the Christian church. continued »
China Rising in Historical Perspective, Part I
We shall ponder the rise of China in the context of history, in order to reflect upon our possible responses and roles in this tectonic geo-political shift. Moving quickly over continents and centuries, I shall make five observations about rising China, and conclude with some suggestions for both Western and Chinese Christians. continued »
Confronting Confucian Understandings of the Christian Doctrine of Salvation
Confronting Confucian Understandings of the Christian Doctrine of Salvation will now be required reading for anyone seeking to understand why Chinese intellectuals have accepted, rejected, or modified the Christian message since the time of Matteo Ricci. Paulos Huang has given us a fine, clearly-organized study with a great deal of thought-provoking findings and suggestions. continued »
Witnesses to Power
These stories...speak of rural and urban evangelism; healing and exorcism, compassionate care for needy children, community life of the Jesus family, church planting and growth in remote areas not penetrated by outside Christian witness, and the impact of the gospel to produce economic prosperity. continued »
Journal Once Lost
These two books reveal the outward actions and inner heart of a man greatly used by God. For about a dozen years (1928-1940), kindling revivals wherever he went. continued »
Is Christianity a "Chinese" Religion?
The answer to this question would seem to be obvious, at least to some. Almost all books on Chinese religion discuss Daoism (Taoism), Buddhism, Chinese popular religions, Islam and – as a belief system that often functions like a religion – Confucianism. continued »
Zurich Statement on the Church in China Issued by the Religious Liberty Partnership, March 2008
As members of the Religious Liberty Partnership (RLP) meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, we support the appeal of our brothers and sisters in China for the worldwide church to pray for the nation of China and the Chinese church at large in this Summer Olympics year. continued »
Gospel and Gunboat Strange Bedfellows
As we study Chinese history from 1800-1950, we see two main dynamics happening in relation to foreigners and foreign missions in China. On the one hand, we see foreign imperialists forcing China to sign unequal treaties and taking advantage of... continued »
Persecution of Chinese Christians: Real, or Imagined?
Are Chinese Christians being persecuted? The answer rather depends upon whom you ask. The average American, and especially American evangelicals, will respond, “Of course! Haven’t you read The Heavenly Man? What about all those newspaper stories? We all know... continued »
Chinese Christians and the Government
The purpose of this brief paper is to explain the existence of the Three Self-Patriotic Movement/China Christian Council and the resistance of the government to unregistered house churches. continued »
China’s Millions
Although containing much useful information, some illuminating insights, and a fresh perspective on the early years of the China Inland Mission, this revisionist history is almost fatally flawed by a profound prejudice that prevents objectivity in dealing with the sources and leads to misinterpretation and at times even misrepresentation. continued »
No Limitations: Brother Shen Xiao Feng – his story and writings with Dr. David Hunt
The author, a leader in one of the large house church networks, displays remarkable balance, insight, depth, knowledge, humility, and charity– not to mention the courage and zeal we have grown to expect from house church Christians in China. continued »
A History of Christianity in Asia. Volume I: Beginnings to 1500
Like others in the past few decades, Moffett concludes that Nestorius did not, as he was falsely charged, deny the deity of Christ, nor did he teach the existence of two “persons” in Christ, as charged by his arch-enemy, Cyril of Alexandria. continued »
A Living Sacrifice: The Life Story of Allen Yuan
Lydia Lee. A Living Sacrifice: The Life Story of Allen Yuan. Tonbridge, Kent, England: Sovereign World Ltd., 2001. Paper. 255 pages. ISBN 1 85240 293 8 With the death of Allen Yuan, one of the “patriarchs” of the 20th-century Chinese... continued »
Christianity in China
Mrs. Wang and her son brim with excitement as they enter the home of one of their neighbors in a village deep inside China. About thirty others gather with them on hard benches to listen to a traveling evangelist. With... continued »
A History of Christianity in Asia: Volume II 1500-1900
Samuel Hugh Moffett. A History of Christianity in Asia: Volume II 1500-1900. Orbis Books, Maryknoll, New York: 2005. Hard cover. 740 pages, including bibliography and index. ISBN 1-57075-450-0. Only the sections on the growth Christianity among the Chinese will be... continued »
China and Christianity: Burdened Past, Hopeful Future
This substantial volume includes eighteen papers from a conference on its title theme held in San Francisco under the sponsorship of the Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History and the Center for the Pacific Rim of the University of San Francisco in 1999. continued »
Gender imbalance in the Chinese Church: Causes, Consequences, and Possible Cures
Almost all observers agree that there is a serious gender imbalance in the Chinese church. continued »
Soul Searching: Chinese Intellectuals on Faith and Society
Soul Searching, a collection of essays written by Chinese Christian intellectuals, gives a fascinating glimpse inside the Chinese mind and heart. continued »
Spiritual Pollution in the Chinese Church
Faced with the failure of previous generations to avoid the “spiritual pollution” of alien philosophical ideas, those seeking to communicate the Gospel among Chinese should keep in mind the following facts: continued »
Leadership and the Chinese Church: Some Preliminary Considerations
A. Chinese traditions of leadership 1. Positive traditions Yu, the great minister under the Prince, later Emperor, Shun. Noted for: Untiring exertions on behalf of the people (as he tamed the rivers) Putting the public welfare above his family (whom... continued »
Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity is transforming China and Changing the Global Balance of Power
David Aikman has given us perhaps the most useful introduction to the explosive increase and growing influence of Christianity in China. continued »
Bold as a Lamb: Pastor Samuel Lamb and the Underground Church of China
This story of a modern-day persecuted saint teaches us much about ourselves and our relationship to God without ever attempting to preach. continued »
The Heavenly Man
This story of the life of Chinese house church leader Brother Yun is an amazing testament to the power of God in the face of persecution continued »
Acquainted with Grief: Wang Mingdao’s Stand for the Persecuted Church in China
Thomas Harvey traces the conflict of these two men (Wang Mingdao and K.H. Ting), and the movements they represent, from the first days of the communist victory in 1949 to the beginning of the 21st century. continued »
A Stone Made Smooth
The book demonstrates the deep and life-changing effects of Christianity on this man, as well as his distinctive Chineseness. continued »
Christianity in China: From the Eighteenth Century to the Present
This is not a complete history of the last 150 years of Christianity in China (despite a rather misleading title) but it does highlight a number of key themes, movements, and people, and raises critical issues for all who seek to ponder how the Gospel has affected the world’s most populous nation. continued »
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