When we think of today’s young people, especially Chinese young people, we see challenges and confusion that feel unique to this era. Yet, are they really so different from those of the past? In some ways, yes—but in others, no. The Bible tells us, “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). The restlessness and search for meaning that young people face today echo the journey of John C. H. Wu. In this series, John A. Lindblom, a dedicated scholar of Wu’s life, explores how Wu’s reflections and experiences resonate across generations. Through Wu’s story, we hope this series can spark dialogue and create common ground shared across generations, offering fresh insights and inspiration for the next generation in their search for truth and purpose.
The Christian life is lived in real, concrete situations: the union of the transcendent and the immanent, flesh and spirit. The “secret” to navigating this world successfully, as Wu says, is our “union with him,” and with his people.
![An image of John C. H. Wu with two Westerners. When he finally found the truth, Wu felt that it was just like “tripping blindly over [a] threshold and being thrown flat on his stomach into the House of Light.” In other words, one must give up believing he or she has the power to attain truth by oneself, and humble oneself to the point of realizing that it is a gift.](https://media.chinasource.org/uploads/2024/11/BL241111-ChinaSource-Chinese-Christianity-John-C.-H.-Wu-Republic-of-China-St.-Augustine-Beyond-East-and-West-300x164.png)
When he finally found the truth, Wu felt that it was just like “tripping blindly over [a] threshold and being thrown flat on his stomach into the House of Light.” In other words, one must give up believing he or she has the power to attain truth by oneself, and humble oneself to the point of realizing that it is a gift.