Christianity in China

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A sign is spray painted under a bridge. It reads, “Let’s love our community.” Although we cannot perform miracles as Jesus did, we may be able to bring holistic blessings through different community services…We do not only offer help on our own, but we also encourage volunteers and donors to join the actions for building shalom in the community.

An Alternative to Being Marginalized

An outreach approach acceptable to the government and public interest will be a solution. The police can block a venue, but charity, merciful actions, and care for neighbors can gain societal support.

A Cautionary Tale: Reacting to Rumors That China Rewrites the Bible

Professor Anna says, “Many times, textbook authors make mistakes out of ignorance, not with the intent to provoke…Although the impact is limited, it can serve as a reminder for religious individuals: You need to engage in more clarification and dialogue and prioritize interaction with professionals from different fields to help eliminate illiteracy.”

A young man wearing a black coat, hat, and jeans kneels in a ruined church while carrying a cross on his back. The reality is that all instances of running, staying, and returning are ultimately in God's hands…It is crucial to understand God's will, have a clear heavenly vision, and discern the mysteries behind our circumstances…Whether we choose running, staying, or returning, we should choose the path of death on the cross.

A Beijing Pastor Reflects on Running, Staying, and Returning

Ultimately, all instances of running, staying, and returning are in God's hands. It's crucial to understand God's will, have a clear heavenly vision, and discern the mysteries behind our circumstances. Whether we choose running, staying, or returning, we should choose the path of death on the cross.

A group of men and women sit in chairs outdoors under trees. 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.

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.

The interior of a Chinese church with a gold cross, a choir in robes, and a pastor preaching. Without a thorough understanding of American evangelicalism and how it was conceived within a specific historical context, Chinese Christianity could be prone to "imitating blindly," which could lead to "maladjustment" and "malnutrition," hindering its healthy growth and development in the future.

The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind and Chinese Christianity

Without a thorough understanding of American evangelicalism and how it was conceived within a specific historical context, Chinese Christianity could be prone to "imitating blindly," which could lead to "maladjustment" and "malnutrition," hindering its healthy growth and development in the future.

An open Chinese Bible. We can thank God for giving Chinese the Bible in their own language, to strengthen and grow what is now one of the largest Christian churches in the world, and one with the potential to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

The Chinese Bible

We can thank God for giving Chinese the Bible in their own language, to strengthen and grow what is now one of the largest Christian churches in the world, and one with the potential to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

A beautiful red Christian church in China with green trim. Today it is difficult to talk about the church in China without referencing China’s church outside China. Many leaders operate with one foot on Chinese soil and the other abroad, either by virtue of their frequent international travel or via offshore organizations through which their voices are amplified, making them spokespersons for a movement that transcends China’s borders.

Where Is the Church in China?

Today it is difficult to talk about the church in China without referencing China’s church outside China. Many leaders operate with one foot on Chinese soil and the other abroad, either by virtue of their frequent international travel or via offshore organizations through which their voices are amplified, making them spokespersons for a movement that transcends China’s borders.

Man walking towards a luminous cross at the end of an aisle in a Christian church in China, with rows of empty wooden pews on either side, and stained glass windows casting colorful light into the serene interior.

Christianity in Post-Pandemic China

Understanding both the registered and unregistered aspects of the church in China provides a more comprehensive picture of the dynamic interplay within the Christian sphere, shedding light on the various challenges and opportunities that each sector encounters.

Book Club: Shanghai Faithful

Join Joann Pittman for an online discussion on Jennifer Lin’s book, Shanghai Faithful: Betrayal and Forgiveness in a Chinese Christian Family.

A Strategy Forged in Bethlehem

Perhaps in the glow of Bethlehem’s star we can begin to see the sheer incongruity of the China narratives we had come to take for granted. The reliance on cultural or political influence, the ability to project power through financial resources, the desire to win, the need to make ourselves relevant—these belie our core identity as followers of Christ…

Can I Still Get a Bible in China?

Since the Bible does not have a government-issued ISBN, they can only be sold legally in churches and bookstores affiliated with the [registered church] … “The process of printing and distributing Bibles is a regulated and systematic procedure that begins with an annual assessment by the [registered church] of the demand for Bibles. The proposed quantity is then submitted…for approval.”

When Less Is More

By forcing the global church to be less reliant on the press or on social media, these surveillance measures could potentially encourage more meaningful engagement with Chinese believers. As E.F. Gregory points out, there is no substitute for personal relationships. Rather than trying to gather more information on the church in China, outside observers can deepen their existing friendships…