The Books That Shaped My Thinking in 2025
Keeping a record is not about accumulating more, but about digesting and sorting through. Only when we attempt to rearticulate the insights of others do they truly become nourishment for our own thinking.
Book Recommendation
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Following in Footsteps
His story reminded me of my mother’s perseverance through her own trials—a resilience that rarely announced itself but became a legacy to the next generation.
A Guide to Hope and Wisdom in the Age of AI
2084 and the AI Revolution is not simply a book about the dangers of technology, but a profound exploration of what it means to be human in a world that increasingly seeks to forget.
Embodied Faith in China: A Fresh Look Through the Eyes of an Anthropologist
Chambon’s reflections begin with an important question: How do Chinese Christians navigate their faith within a context shaped by deep ancestral traditions, material symbolism, and political restrictions?
Reaching Chinese Students in Korea: Insights from a Groundbreaking Study
This book is a study about the conversion processes for Chinese students studying in South Korea.
The Elusive Path to Religious Freedom
International human rights lawyer Knox Thames lays out a vision for how governments, legislatures, NGOs, and religious leaders can work together to combat religious persecution globally.
US–China Relations Over 20 Years
This book should be read by anyone who wants to understand the history and background of US–China relations and their broader international implications over the past two decades and into the future.
Peacemaking Across Cultures
Changing Normal has become 《和好如初：打破人际关系中的僵局》, currently available as an e-book, with paperback editions expected in late summer 2025.
Why Should Chinese Philanthropy Practitioners Read “Corporate Philanthropy in China and Beyond”?
I believe Chinese practitioners can learn from the altruistic ethos of viewing wealth as a trust from God. Adopting this perspective can free us from being disillusioned by institutional corruption, ungrateful beneficiaries, or inactive wealthy individuals.
A Reading Roundup for Returnees
Check out the books in the Resource Corner to help the returnees and returnee ministries in your life.
Recommended Reading on the Catholic Church in China
The books in this list provide a robust starting point for understanding the Catholic Church in China today and how it has been shaped by its history.
Trials, Tribulations, and the Formation of a Ministry
In 1881, Hsi started a medical mission station, apart from foreign supervision, in Deng Village, five miles away from his home. He practiced medicine in the front and held meetings in the back, naming it “fuying tang” (Gospel Hall). Hsi served as a doctor, preacher, and boss, and his home was often crowded with people seeking help.