Articles by Mary Li Ma

Mary Li Ma

Mary Li Ma (MA Li) holds a PhD in sociology from Cornell University.

Currently a research fellow at the Henry Institute of Christianity and Public Life at Calvin University, Dr. Ma and her husband LI Jin have coauthored articles, book chapters, and are the authors of Surviving the State, Remaking the Church: A Sociological Portrait of Christians in Mainland China. They have guest edited several issues of the ChinaSource Quarterly.

Dr. Ma is also the author of The Chinese Exodus: A Theology of Migration, Urbanism and Alienation in Contemporary China, Religious Entrepreneurism in China's Urban House Churches: The Rise and Fall of Early Rain Reformed Presbyterian Church, and 通往阿斯兰的国度:C.S.路易斯《纳尼亚传奇》导读, a theological guide to C.S.Lewis’s Narnia series in the Chinese language.

Dr. Ma is a columnist on social and economic issues for Caixin.com and blogs at Theology and Society.

Lead Article

The Church’s Greatest Crisis Comes from Inside

With the lack of pastoral ethics and recent church expansion, the use of power often becomes a problem. The causes of power abuse and the church’s response are explored.

Editorials

Witnessing Christ through Ethical Leadership

The guest editors' point of view. 

Editorials

Let’s Be Honest about Denominationalism in China

The guest editor's perspective.

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.

Peoples of China

Conversation with a Migrant-Worker Church Minister

An interview by Dr. Mary Ma with the minister of a migrant worker’s urban church which identifies a number of issues characteristic of urban churches comprised of migrant workers from rural areas. These concerns include living conditions, economic status, long work hours, mobility, and other factors that all contribute to the church’s spiritual health and stability.

Editorials

Urban Urgency and the Great Commission

The guest editors' point of view . . .

Peoples of China

Intergenerational Challenges in Christian Marriages

A Sociological Case Study of Urban Young Christians in China

Over recent generations, marriage expectations have changed. For young Christians in China, marriages are taking on new ethical norms that include challenges. Parental pressures in finding a spouse as well as in planning a wedding can create much tension. After marriage, child-bearing and rearing continue to generate challenges between the young couple and their parents. The one-child policy has exacerbated these difficulties. Christian couples are swimming against many secular tides in these areas.

Editorials

Reflections on the Chinese Family

From the guest editors' point of view

Supporting Article

The Decay of the Chinese Family

The stresses and conflicts found within Chinese families are increasing with urbanization that often forces families to live apart. After discussing some of the major pressures that families face in today’s China, the author delineates some of the principles needed for building a good family foundation.

View From the Wall

A Field Study of “The Church of Almighty God” Cult

The authors did a field study of The Church of Almighty God over several years. In their report they include excerpts from the writings of the “female Christ” found in The Scroll That the Lamb Opened. There are also quotes from several individuals they interviewed who had dealt directly with the cult. They conclude with comments regarding churches adopting either an “open or closed” policy.