Book Reviews

Chinese Theology for English-Language Readers

A review of A Reader in Chinese Theology edited by Chloë Starr, the best reader on Chinese theology available in English.

Book Reviews

Theoretical Theology with Practical Application

A Book Review

Originally written in Dutch in the 1600s, this major work of Reformed theology combines theoretical theology with practical application and is presented with warm pastoral affection for the reader. It has been available in Chinese since 2013.

Resource Corner

The Collected Works of Watchman Nee

The books, articles, and sermons of Watchman Nee are available online in both Chinese and English. 

CSQ Article

Union with Christ and Contextualization in China

Theological Contextualization in China

Dr. Sun proposes that the theological concept of “union with Christ” has elements that intersect with Chinese culture and can aid in presenting the gospel.

Lead Article

The City and the Church

Towards an Urban Theology in China

As China becomes increasingly urbanized, an urban theology for ministry is needed. As modern man finds himself slowly enmeshed in urban living, he experiences materialism, relativism, and an increasingly segmented society. He questions what is real and true, and who God is. These questions can become points of contact for urban ministry. Dr. Ma provides some guidelines for forming an urban theology for ministry in urban China.

Supporting Article

A Theology of Family for the Chinese Church

Due to the historical influences on family structure and ethics, many new Christians have no background for a Christian marriage and family. Sound doctrine and the ability to utilize the gospel to transform familial ethics are critical needs in China. In addition, due to a lack of accurate understanding of the doctrine of the church, there is a scarcity of guidance on managing the family as well as its relationship to the church. Li Jin presents the doctrine of the Trinity as a foundation for a Christian family.

Lead Article

Reformed Theology

A Christian Thought Movement to a Church Movement

Over the past forty years, reformed theology has become influential among Chinese Christians and, more recently, especially among mainland Chinese Christian intellectuals. This has resulted in reformed thought transitioning into a reformed church movement that is bringing about positive changes. At the same time, there are cautions to be observed within this movement.

Supporting Article

Liberalism and China’s Churches

After defining the term “liberalism,” the author introduces the liberal intellectuals, many of them city dwellers, who began joining churches and consequently have created tension between liberalism and Christian perspectives. He explores churches’ reactions to this tension and also discusses the attitude of anti-liberals toward Christianity.

Supporting Article

Urban Churches in China

A Pentecostal Case Study

An author has noted that societies being shaped by the forces of modernization and urbanization represent fertile ground for the seeds of Pentecostal revival. Menzies supports this claim in a case study that gives us the history and growth of the Li Xin Church, a large, Pentecostal house-church network.

Supporting Article

Eschatology and China’s Churches

The question of a church’s eschatology not only concerns its future but also determines how its people live in today’s world. While house churches included a brief summary of their eschatology in a 1998 document, within the theology of the official Three-Self Church eschatology lacks a working category; it finds itself situated under communist ideology as any form of it appears to be a threat to the ideology of the government. The church in China must ask itself what biblical, orthodox eschatology is and how it can be preached.