Between 1999 and 2011, one of the regular features of the ChinaSource Quarterly was an essay written by a mainland-based sociologist and researcher named Huo Shui. Writing from a sociological perspective, Huo Shui offered a unique perspective on the church in China and its role in society, as well as its relationship to the Party-State.
We have collected ten of those essays into a new ebook, titled View from the Wall. They provide a fascinating look at the issues and challenges that society in general, and Christians in particular, faced during a time of immense change.
Here are some of the issues Huo Shui tackled in the collection of essays included in this book.
- What were the key issues and challenges for society? How did the church respond?
- How did society’s perception of the church change over time?
- How did the church’s relationship with the government change?
- What role did foreigners play in serving the church as she managed the shifting environment?
- What cultural values must foreigners understand in order to serve effectively?
For those who have been engaged in service to the church over the years, reading these essays will bring back memories and fill in gaps of understanding on some of the events that they remember and experienced.
For those new to China ministry, these essays are a reminder that there is a social, political, and historical trajectory that has brought the church in China to the place it is today.
And for anyone interested in ministry in China or to the Chinese diaspora, these essays provide a fascinating look at how a Chinese Christian was thinking about the role of the church in a changing China.
You can download the ebook here
For a limited time, we are offering the book free to new subscribers to ChinaSource publications. Go to Subscribe and sign up as a new subscriber and you will receive a code to download View from the Wall for free in the confirmation email. Be sure to share this offer with your friends!Image credit: gmshtwjl on Pixabay.
Joann Pittman
Joann Pittman is Vice President of Partnership and China Engagement and editor of ZGBriefs. Prior to joining ChinaSource, Joann spent 28 years working in China, as an English teacher, language student, program director, and cross-cultural trainer for organizations and businesses engaged in China. She has also taught Chinese at the University …View Full Bio
Are you enjoying a cup of good coffee or fragrant tea while reading the latest ChinaSource post? Consider donating the cost of that “cuppa” to support our content so we can continue to serve you with the latest on Christianity in China.