History: It’s Essential
Strong faith is built upon history. Knowledge and reflection on history are essential for the church and for those who serve.
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Fragmented and Complacent
The Chinese church’s lack of historical consciousness is longstanding. While the secular world has increased its understanding of history in many areas, the church has lagged behind. Only recently has research into church history begun. As it becomes known, the church needs to recognize that history has practical applications and must learn how to apply these. When this does not happen, there are negative effects, and the author discusses some of these.
Traditional Chinese Views of History and Contemporary Chinese Christianity
Following a brief review of the ways Chinese have viewed their history over the centuries, the author turns to the consideration of how today’s PRC citizens view their history. All Chinese views of history have included “history” that is promoted nationally and directly serves the interests of the state. This approved narrative means that for most Chinese there is a nation-wide, generally agreed upon social narrative that may well be the only one he or she knows. The author then offers four items for the foreigner to remember when considering Chinese history or Chinese Christian history.
Why Believers Need to Understand Chinese Church History
We must know the past to understand the present. For the most part, Chinese Christians do not understand Chinese church history; therefore, they often have no means to properly respond to changes in society. A look back at Chinese church history shows us that many of the difficulties faced by today’s Chinese church have similarities to those that have confronted the church over the years. Not only can history suggest appropriate ways to respond to today’s difficulties, it can help us discern God’s purposes in the present.
Women in China’s Protestant Church and Missions
In both church and mission in China, women make up the majority of workers; however, their contributions and circumstances can sometimes be overlooked. The author looks at how God has used women of bygone days to build his church in China. She discusses three examples of women as well as a trio of women who provided leadership and greatly impacted the development of China’s Protestant faith. She also provides a bibliography for those interested in further study of this topic.
The Rushing on of the Purposes of God
A review of Andrew Kaiser's The Rushing on of the Purposes of God: Christian Missions in Shanxi since 1876.
Pastoral Advice During Chinese Valentine’s Day
On August 28, Chinese celebrated “Qixi,” also known as “Chinese Valentine’s Day." The holiday is based on a mythological Chinese folk story about a goddess who falls in love with a cowherder. Legend has it that prayers offered to the goddess on this day will bring blessings and wisdom.
The holiday has grown in popularity in recent years, sparking more discussion online about if and how Christians should celebrate the holiday. In this article, Chen Fengsheng, a Three-Self pastor in Wenzhou, provides Christians with pastoral advice regarding Qixi.
Voices from the Past
This book makes it possible for today's Christians to benefit from the past experience of these missionary giants, such as Hudson Taylor, Timothy Richard, John Nevius, and William Milne. , Each of the included thirty quotations addresses a different aspect of cross-cultural missions in China.
Builders of the Chinese Church
From 1807 to the 1920s, when a new phase of growth began, thousands of missionaries and Chinese Christians labored to lay the groundwork for a solid, healthy, and self-sustaining Chinese church. Builders of the Chinese Church contains the stories of nine of these leading pioneers.
The Rushing on of the Purposes of God
This is the first complete account of Protestant missions in Shanxi Province, China. This book begins with the arrival of the Protestant missionaries during the 1878 North China Famine and the fiery test of the 1900 Boxer Uprising and subsequent martyrdom of hundreds of Shanxi Christians.
Flying against the Wind
Nestled in a spring-fed valley in the desert northeast of Los Angeles, St. Andrew’s Abbey is a long way from its roots in Chengdu. The only living link that remains is Brother Peter Zhou Bangjiu, a 91-year-old Sichuan native who rejoined the abbey in 1985 following his release from a Chinese labor camp.
How to Minister to Seniors (2)
The journal ChurchChina published an article earlier this summer on how Chinese Christians can care for and minister to the increasing senior population in China. Last week we published part one of a translation of that article in which the author describes her ministry to the elderly in a senior center. This week we publish part two which includes helpful recommendations for serving seniors.