Editorial reflection and analysis on issues shaping Chinese Christianity.
On September 7, 2017, the Chinese government released revised regulations on religious affairs that will take effect on February 1, 2018. Last month, Tianfeng Magazine, the official magazine of the China Christian Council (CCC) and Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM), posted an article on their WeChat blog highlighting the impact of the regulations and why they are necessary.
The latest edition of the ChinaSource Quarterly explores the awareness (or lack thereof) Chinese Christians have regarding the history of Christianity in China, and how history influences the church today. This was not the first time we devoted a Quarterly to the issue of history. In the 2002 spring edition of the ChinaSource Quarterly (known at the time as the ChinaSource journal), we explored the question of how history influences the present in China.
Examining the lens of Chinese church history to better understand where China’s church finds itself today.
The first chairman of the ChinaSource board reminices about the early years of ChinaSource.
As ChinaSource celebrates 20 years of service we are digging into our archives for articles chronicling the myriad far-reaching changes in China during the past two decades. Here we look at urbanization.
An interview with an oral historian on the importance of church history.
Chinese engagement in Africa to date may provide some clues as to how China will impact the "belt and road" nations in the future.
Following a brief review of the ways Chinese have viewed their history over the centuries, the author turns to the consideration of how today’s PRC citizens view their history. All Chinese views of history have included “history” that is promoted nationally and directly serves the interests of the state. This approved narrative means that for most Chinese there is a nation-wide, generally agreed upon social narrative that may well be the only one he or she knows. The author then offers four items for the foreigner to remember when considering Chinese history or Chinese Christian history.
We must know the past to understand the present. For the most part, Chinese Christians do not understand Chinese church history; therefore, they often have no means to properly respond to changes in society. A look back at Chinese church history shows us that many of the difficulties faced by today’s Chinese church have similarities to those that have confronted the church over the years. Not only can history suggest appropriate ways to respond to today’s difficulties, it can help us discern God’s purposes in the present.
The guest editor's point of view . . .
How can financial resources be shared effectively? What needs to be considered?
The Chinese church passionately desires participation in missionary sending. The international church seeks to partner with Chinese missionary senders. Finances are one key, but controversial, area of possible collaboration. Funds can become a stumbling block to mission efforts. Discriminating, time-limited use of money to support Chinese missionary sending in the framework of sound principles of financial giving decrease risks of dependency.