Breaking the Cycle: Can Our Denomination Be Revitalized?
Renewal is never easy, but it’s not impossible. So, will we finally stop the excuses, or will history repeat itself—again?
Church Denominations
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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.
Learning from the Larger Story
Menzies discusses his belief that the Pentecostal churches in China have an important contribution to make to the larger, global body of Christ, and that the Pentecostal movement, in China and globally, need the larger body of Christ.
Towards Authentic Contextualization
That this non-Western contextualizing will leave many of our Western theologies and “brands” diminished or transformed could encourage us to repent for the scandal of our divisions…and to redouble our efforts to fulfill one of the final earthly prayers of Jesus that “we all be one.”
Denomination Names in Chinese
What, you might be wondering, are the Chinese names for some of the various denominations and sects in China?
Looking at the Questions beneath the Surface
Swirling beneath the surface discussion of denominations—how they are defined, their relationship to the indigenous Chinese church, and whether or not they are needed—are some core questions regarding the fundamental nature of Christian community.
Let’s Be Honest about Denominationalism in China
The guest editor's perspective.
Denominationalism or Nondenominationalism?
The author looks at the history of denominationalism in China and discusses what being part of a denomination means.
The Waning of a Pragmatic Cosmopolitanism
Sun considers the differences between the views of Cheng and Ni regarding denominations in the first half of the twentieth century.
The Influence of Denominations on Church Organizational Structure in China
The issues of theological stance and church governance that impact the decision of whether or not to be a part of a denomination are discussed.
Questions Beneath the Surface
In this issue of ChinaSource Quarterly, husband and wife team, Li Ma and Jin Li, bring together valuable perspectives, primarily from mainland Chinese Christian thinkers, on the emergence of denominations within the contemporary Chinese church.
Denominationalism—A Double-edged Sword
The author alerts us to the dangers that denominationalism can bring, especially with a new generation of educated, urban Christians who desire to pursue godliness.