Ideas

Editorial reflection and analysis on issues shaping Chinese Christianity.

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A sign is spray painted under a bridge. It reads, “Let’s love our community.” Although we cannot perform miracles as Jesus did, we may be able to bring holistic blessings through different community services…We do not only offer help on our own, but we also encourage volunteers and donors to join the actions for building shalom in the community.

An Alternative to Being Marginalized

An outreach approach acceptable to the government and public interest will be a solution. The police can block a venue, but charity, merciful actions, and care for neighbors can gain societal support.

• July 1, 2024 •

A mural probably depicts Palm Sunday, from a Church of the East temple in Qocho, Chinese Turkestan, dating to the 7th–9th century. Deeply committed Syrian Christians traveled thousands of miles to plant a church in China, enjoyed a season of imperial favor during which the gospel took root and spread, and succeeded in communicating the essential message of Christ’s suffering for the salvation of the world and his resurrection from the dead.

Collective Misunderstanding

Deeply committed Syrian Christians traveled thousands of miles to plant a church in China, enjoyed a season of imperial favor during which the gospel took root and spread, and succeeded in communicating the essential message of Christ’s suffering for the salvation of the world and his resurrection from the dead.

• June 26, 2024 •

A man has his hands folded on top of a Bible. I believe that this is not an era that demands achievements or pursues accomplishments, but rather an era that yearns for spiritual awakening. We must genuinely return to a place of rest, waiting upon God, encountering him in the depths of our souls, and hearing his gentle whisper. We must recognize that he is greater than all our actions and possessions, yet he encompasses our entire lives.

The Predicament of Young Pastors in Contemporary China

I believe that this is not an era that demands achievements or pursues accomplishments, but rather an era that yearns for spiritual awakening. We must genuinely return to a place of rest, waiting upon God, encountering him in the depths of our souls, and hearing his gentle whisper. We must recognize that he is greater than all our actions and possessions, yet he encompasses our entire lives.

• June 25, 2024 •

A Cautionary Tale: Reacting to Rumors That China Rewrites the Bible

Professor Anna says, “Many times, textbook authors make mistakes out of ignorance, not with the intent to provoke…Although the impact is limited, it can serve as a reminder for religious individuals: You need to engage in more clarification and dialogue and prioritize interaction with professionals from different fields to help eliminate illiteracy.”

• June 21, 2024 •

A young man wearing a black coat, hat, and jeans kneels in a ruined church while carrying a cross on his back. The reality is that all instances of running, staying, and returning are ultimately in God's hands…It is crucial to understand God's will, have a clear heavenly vision, and discern the mysteries behind our circumstances…Whether we choose running, staying, or returning, we should choose the path of death on the cross.

A Beijing Pastor Reflects on Running, Staying, and Returning

Ultimately, all instances of running, staying, and returning are in God's hands. It's crucial to understand God's will, have a clear heavenly vision, and discern the mysteries behind our circumstances. Whether we choose running, staying, or returning, we should choose the path of death on the cross.

• June 7, 2024 •

A Chinese Bible lies open on a table. There is a keychain with a verse and a cross zipper pull. Our brothers and sisters from China have plenty of passion and new inspiration for theological training, and their passion and energy are about to burst. When a new, Chinese way of doing theological training is coming on the horizon, are you there to cheer Chinese Christians on and walk with them shoulder to shoulder?

A Chinese Model of Theological Education?

Our brothers and sisters from China have plenty of passion and new inspiration for theological training, and their passion and energy are about to burst. When a new, Chinese way of doing theological training is coming on the horizon, are you there to cheer Chinese Christians on and walk with them shoulder to shoulder?

• June 3, 2024 •

Two young Chinese police officers stand in front of a temple. When [Church of the East] missionaries arrived in the Chinese capital of Chang’an in 635, they understood that Christianity in the Middle Kingdom required government approval…The application was successful, and a government edict allowed the new Luminous Teaching, as it called itself, to be spread in all China, including the building of a church in the capital city.

The Long History of Government Oversight and China’s Church

When [Church of the East] missionaries arrived in the Chinese capital of Chang’an in 635, they understood that Christianity in the Middle Kingdom required government approval…The application was successful, and a government edict allowed the new Luminous Teaching, as it called itself, to be spread in all China, including the building of a church in the capital city.

• May 31, 2024 •

A white neon sign of shaking hands hangs on a wall. As with many Christian China narratives, the questions we ask shape the storyline. If “Who’s in charge?” is not the right question, attempts to answer it will undoubtedly prove unsatisfactory. Perhaps a better starting point would be, “How shall we lead together?”

Who’s in Charge?

As with many Christian China narratives, the questions we ask shape the storyline. If “Who’s in charge?” is not the right question, attempts to answer it will undoubtedly prove unsatisfactory. Perhaps a better starting point would be, “How shall we lead together?”

• May 27, 2024 •

A Chinese man and an African American man embrace. Today, faced with the opportunities and challenges of diaspora missions brought about by globalization, the church should actively participate. We hope that God will give the church the spiritual vision and kingdom-mindedness to take part in diaspora missions, and that we will see opportunities for encouraging lay missions.

Diaspora Missions Today

Today, faced with the opportunities and challenges of diaspora missions brought about by globalization, the church should actively participate. We hope that God will give the church the spiritual vision and kingdom-mindedness to take part in diaspora missions, and that we will see opportunities for encouraging lay missions.

• May 24, 2024 •

A pretty young woman sits outside, holding a coffee and her smartphone. Joy Cheng closes by reminding us that, even as generations and technologies change, the need for salvation and love remain. The mission also remains the same. “The most loving thing we do as a parent,” she says, “is love our children with the truth of the gospel. We are the missionaries to this generation.”

Loving Gen Z with the Truth of the Gospel

Joy Cheng closes by reminding us that, even as generations and technologies change, the need for salvation and love remain. The mission also remains the same. “The most loving thing we do as a parent,” she says, “is love our children with the truth of the gospel. We are the missionaries to this generation.”

• May 6, 2024 •

A group of men and women sit in chairs outdoors under trees. Addressing his readers in China, Ren Xiaopeng asks, “If American evangelicalism is in such an intellectually vacant state, where would Chinese Christianity, deeply influenced by American evangelicalism and fundamentalism, go next?” Their answer will be critical for the future of the Chinese church – and, if we are willing to listen, for the church in America as well.

American Evangelicalism and China: A Necessary Conversation

Addressing his readers in China, Ren Xiaopeng asks, “If American evangelicalism is in such an intellectually vacant state, where would Chinese Christianity, deeply influenced by American evangelicalism and fundamentalism, go next?” Their answer will be critical for the future of the Chinese church—and, if we are willing to listen, for the church in America as well.

• April 30, 2024 •