ZGBriefs from 2013
The Resource Library is where you will find the latest resources from across our publications.
October 17, 2013
From the Global Times: Estranged Brethren (October 16, 2013, Chinese Church Voices)
On October 10, 2013, the Global Times, one of Chinas English language daily newspapers published an article titled Estranged Brethren, about the division between the official Three-Self church and the House Church movement. Articles about religion in general, and Christianity in particular, are far and few between in the Chinese media, and articles that reference the house churches are even more rare. This article is particularly noteworthy for its discussion of the background of the division, its discussion of the Shouwang Church in Beijing, its relatively sympathetic treatment of the house church position, and references to calls for changes in Chinas religious policies.
October 10, 2013
Urge for Faith: Postmodern Beliefs among Urban Chinese (September 2013, ChinaSource Quarterly)
Historical events following Mao's death left an ideological vacuum in China. This has created a strong need for faith, even an urge, so as to avoid the risk of further social disruption and political instability. While postmodernism, with its relativity and lack of absolutes, is trying to fill this void, it also leaves people questioning and open to exploring faith.
October 3, 2013
Confucius, the Bible, and Preaching (October 1, 2013, Chinese Church Voices)
This article is an interesting Christian response to Yu Dans popularization of Confucianism, arguing that what she preaches is really a watered down version of Confucianism watered down to make it more palatable. The author then wonders if the Church is in danger of doing the same thing watering down the Gospel in order to make it popular.
September 26, 2013
The Postmodern Generation and the Church in China (Fall Edition, ChinaSource Quarterly)
Thinking with Their Hearts: Postmodernism in ChinaAs Dr. Pan points out in this issue of ChinaSource Quarterly, "Disillusionment with faith, hope and love leads to confusion for this new generation of young people, but it also creates opportunity for spreading the gospel. Postmodern man fails in his search for life-stabilizing and soul-anchoring faith, as well as in his quest for goodness and for finding a future hope that modernity provided with modernism as the basis. Yet, man craves the satisfaction of these three crucial needs " The upside of postmodernism is that it leaves people asking the right questions. Online in blogs and weibo posts a new generation surveys China's social landscape with its food scandals, official corruption, unbridled consumerism and rampant abuse of women and children, and asks, "What's wrong with their hearts?"
September 19, 2013
China's Debate: Must The Party Follow The Constitution? (September 18, 2013, NPR)
One way to start, he says, is to live up to the promises made in China's 1982 constitution. In many countries, that's just assumed. In China, it's at the center of a bitter debate between reformers and conservative Communist Party members over the future of the country's political system. Increasingly, scholars like Zhang are using China's own constitution against the ruling party to try to make the government more accountable to the people.
September 12, 2013
At Sina Weibo's censorship hub, China's Little Brothers cleanse online chatter (September 11, 2013, Reuters)
Reuters got a glimpse of the Sina Weibo censorship office in Tianjin, half an hour from Beijing by high-speed train, one recent weekend morning. A dozen employees, all men, could be seen through locked glass doors from a publicly accessible corridor, sitting in cramped cubicles separated by yellow dividers, staring at large monitors. They more closely resembled Little Brothers than the Orwellian image of an omniscient and fearsome Big Brother. "Our job prevents Weibo from being shut down and that gives people a big platform to speak from. It's not an ideally free one, but it still lets people vent," said a second former censor.
September 5, 2013
A Novel Approach to Chinese History (September 1, 2013, ChinaSource Blog)
If you're a China buff, here are 10 books I recommend for learning about Chinese history through what I'm calling a novel approach. I've placed them chronologically in terms of Chinese history and instead of telling you much about the story, will share a bit about why you need to read it from a historical perspective. History, in this case, consists of both the well-known "big" events, and the lesser known daily events. Together, they are woven together to form the fabric of a society, culture, and people.
August 29, 2013
All About Visas: Podcast by the Economic Observer (August 27, 2013, Economic Observer)
The China Hangup podcast is a weekly discussion with social, business and political figures hosted by Eric Fish, Hudson Lockett and Nicole Sy for the Economic Observer newspaper. This weeks episode, All About Visas, covers Chinas new immigration law.
August 22, 2013
Non-Criminal Record Certificate Required for Beijing Employment License Applications (August 21, 2013, China Briefing)
With the aim to strictly enforce the rules and regulations related to the examination and approval of employment licenses, foreigners who wish to work in Beijing are required to submit a non-criminal record certificate issued by their place of residence for the application of an employment license and expert work permit starting from July 1, 2013.
August 15, 2013
Why Stewardship Matters for China (August 10, 2013, ChinaSource Blog)
As the church becomes increasingly urban, with Christians having access to more resources and moving into positions of influence, their understanding of biblical stewardship becomes a key factor in their witness and role in society. This is particularly relevant and urgent for Chinese-led ministries that have been receiving support from overseas during the past three decades and will need to transition to an indigenous funding base to sustain them in the future.