Since 1949—Policy Swings and the “Christianity Fever”
What matters most is not only the dates, but the habits Christians learned for living between lines.
What matters most is not only the dates, but the habits Christians learned for living between lines.
Two tracks took root: social modernizers built schools and bridges; evangelists planted chapels and courage. China’s church still needs the gifts of both.
From 1862 to 1927, China’s crises produced both scapegoats and gifts: Christianity was resisted as foreign and embraced in service—while new ideologies recast the debate.
The author explores the opportunities as well as negative effects brought by increased freedom of speech allowed in China in recent years. He then discusses why communication ethics and public theology need attention. Finally, he addresses the more recent, stringent regulations and overall tightening of freedom of expression and what is being done to respond to these changes.
To begin this reflective series based on the webinar, “Chinese Christianity in the Modern Era," we consider what it means to see the whole of the Chinese church and what theological lenses are needed to make sense of what we see.