Ideas

Editorial reflection and analysis on issues shaping Chinese Christianity.

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A girl looks at suitcases hung from the ceiling. Looking back now, the formation of the Mobile School was not man-made but arranged. We only needed to follow the guidance resolutely. Although the "Long March" has just begun, "a single spark can start a prairie fire!"

The School on the Move—A New Long March

Looking back now, the formation of the mobile school was not man-made but arranged. We only needed to follow the guidance resolutely. Although the "Long March" has just begun, "a single spark can start a prairie fire!"

Mao • July 23, 2024 •

An image of Kowloon City Baptist Church, with the sun shining, located in Hong Kong and established in 1931. The topic of church development must be considered in the spirit of John the Baptist's words, "He must increase, I must decrease." We must recognize that what needs to be developed is the universal church as part of the kingdom movement, not a specific local church or organization.

Resilience and Renewal

The topic of church development must be considered in the spirit of John the Baptist's words, "He must increase, I must decrease." We must recognize that what needs to be developed is the universal church as part of the kingdom movement, not a specific local church or organization.

Leo Kwan • July 9, 2024 •

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.

JI Yajie • July 1, 2024 •

A mural probably depicts Palm Sunday, from a Church of the East temple in Qocho, Chinese Turkestan, dating to the 7th–9th century. Deeply committed Syrian Christians traveled thousands of miles to plant a church in China, enjoyed a season of imperial favor during which the gospel took root and spread, and succeeded in communicating the essential message of Christ’s suffering for the salvation of the world and his resurrection from the dead.

Collective Misunderstanding

Deeply committed Syrian Christians traveled thousands of miles to plant a church in China, enjoyed a season of imperial favor during which the gospel took root and spread, and succeeded in communicating the essential message of Christ’s suffering for the salvation of the world and his resurrection from the dead.

Brent Fulton • June 26, 2024 •

A man has his hands folded on top of a Bible. I believe that this is not an era that demands achievements or pursues accomplishments, but rather an era that yearns for spiritual awakening. We must genuinely return to a place of rest, waiting upon God, encountering him in the depths of our souls, and hearing his gentle whisper. We must recognize that he is greater than all our actions and possessions, yet he encompasses our entire lives.

The Predicament of Young Pastors in Contemporary China

I believe that this is not an era that demands achievements or pursues accomplishments, but rather an era that yearns for spiritual awakening. We must genuinely return to a place of rest, waiting upon God, encountering him in the depths of our souls, and hearing his gentle whisper. We must recognize that he is greater than all our actions and possessions, yet he encompasses our entire lives.

Jeshurun • June 25, 2024 •

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.”

ChinaSource Team • June 21, 2024 •

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.

Pastor Paul • June 7, 2024 •

A Chinese Bible lies open on a table. There is a keychain with a verse and a cross zipper pull. Our brothers and sisters from China have plenty of passion and new inspiration for theological training, and their passion and energy are about to burst. When a new, Chinese way of doing theological training is coming on the horizon, are you there to cheer Chinese Christians on and walk with them shoulder to shoulder?

A Chinese Model of Theological Education?

Our brothers and sisters from China have plenty of passion and new inspiration for theological training, and their passion and energy are about to burst. When a new, Chinese way of doing theological training is coming on the horizon, are you there to cheer Chinese Christians on and walk with them shoulder to shoulder?

Kevin Xiyi Yao • June 3, 2024 •

Two young Chinese police officers stand in front of a temple. When [Church of the East] missionaries arrived in the Chinese capital of Chang’an in 635, they understood that Christianity in the Middle Kingdom required government approval…The application was successful, and a government edict allowed the new Luminous Teaching, as it called itself, to be spread in all China, including the building of a church in the capital city.

The Long History of Government Oversight and China’s Church

When [Church of the East] missionaries arrived in the Chinese capital of Chang’an in 635, they understood that Christianity in the Middle Kingdom required government approval…The application was successful, and a government edict allowed the new Luminous Teaching, as it called itself, to be spread in all China, including the building of a church in the capital city.

Glen Thompson • May 31, 2024 •

A white neon sign of shaking hands hangs on a wall. As with many Christian China narratives, the questions we ask shape the storyline. If “Who’s in charge?” is not the right question, attempts to answer it will undoubtedly prove unsatisfactory. Perhaps a better starting point would be, “How shall we lead together?”

Who’s in Charge?

As with many Christian China narratives, the questions we ask shape the storyline. If “Who’s in charge?” is not the right question, attempts to answer it will undoubtedly prove unsatisfactory. Perhaps a better starting point would be, “How shall we lead together?”

Brent Fulton • May 27, 2024 •

A Chinese man and an African American man embrace. Today, faced with the opportunities and challenges of diaspora missions brought about by globalization, the church should actively participate. We hope that God will give the church the spiritual vision and kingdom-mindedness to take part in diaspora missions, and that we will see opportunities for encouraging lay missions.

Diaspora Missions Today

Today, faced with the opportunities and challenges of diaspora missions brought about by globalization, the church should actively participate. We hope that God will give the church the spiritual vision and kingdom-mindedness to take part in diaspora missions, and that we will see opportunities for encouraging lay missions.

Sean Cheng • May 24, 2024 •