Public Theology Begins with God
Like all theology, public theology begins not with issues, but with the knowledge of God.
Pastor Jerry An (安平) has worked in media ministry since 2001, and now serves as the Chinese Team Leader at ReFrame Ministries (formerly Back to God Ministries International). Under his vision and leadership, the Chinese language ministry of ReFrame has become a pioneer, think tank, and partner in new media ministry.
Pastor Jerry regularly trains Chinese church leaders worldwide in developing ways of using new media to advance the kingdom. He is also a publisher, producer, radio host, and writer.
Like all theology, public theology begins not with issues, but with the knowledge of God.
Who Is the Prophet of Our Time?: The Public Theology Praxis of Martin Luther King Jr. and Billy Graham is undoubtedly a landmark work of Chinese-language public theology.
In the era of new media, every Christian is not only a user of media products but also a creator and distributor of content.
A shared vision is only the starting point of partnership.
One of the things that makes DeepSeek different from other products is that it shares with you its processing or thinking process, i.e. logic.
Our social networks serve as a conduit for others to understand our lives, our faith, and the transformative impact of our beliefs. New media offers the most accessible, effective, and personal means for interaction and connection. Our virtual community becomes our broadest mission field, accessible to all for engagement.
The new generation of believers and church leaders are no longer easily excited by large conferences and mission movements but are willing to delve deeper into each individual’s life. They have started moving away from focusing on the relationship between church and state and are now turning their attention to broader public concerns.
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.
What happens when the regulations increase, and the darkness seems to grow? Jerry An of ReFrame Ministries reflects on the changes God has brought in the past year.
A continuing conversation on the use of digital tools and trends in how the church gathers for worship and teaching and how they serve their communities.
Chinese Christians’ views of digital media, especially WeChat, are discussed, including the changes brought about by the coronavirus. The authors continue by looking at the use of digital media in the future, seeing the church as a shaper, not just a userin this digital age.
The author looks at positive and negative results of both courageous and servant leadership. From Willow Creek Community Church and the moral failure of its pastor, he draws out lessons to be learned for China’s churches.