Tag: Reformed Faith
Lead Article
China’s Reforming Churches, Continued
The author describes the distinctives of Reformed churches as well as some of the difficulties Reformed churches in China have faced in their commitment to Reformed theology. He highlights three observations about life and ministry in China’s reforming churches.
Supporting Article
Reformed Churches and Church/State Relationships
China’s Reformed churches have a unified view stating that there is separation between church and state: they are two different domains. Since the application of this principle varies by region, the author summarizes four differing perspectives.
Supporting Article
Recent Characteristics of Reformed Churches in China
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gudao has noted five new trends among Reformed churches. He details each of these and includes his observations.
Supporting Article
Thoughts on Culture and Contextualization
The church does not exist in a vacuum. It responds to various cultural factors which raises many questions about the contextualization of the gospel. This article analyzes some key features of the cultural context of Chinese house churches.
ChinaSource Perspective
Taking the Long View
Here we have a multi-faceted picture of churches that may identify with one another confessionally, but which differ on questions of where and how to worship, the role of women in the church, and how to relate to government authorities. Far from representing a rigid, cookie-cutter approach to church life, the Reformed tradition as it is currently lived out in China is dynamic and adaptable, reflecting the resourcefulness that has enabled the church to thrive amidst all kinds of adversity.
Book Reviews
Building up China’s Church
China’s Reforming Churches by Bruce P. Baugus, ed.
Reviewed by Jennifer Guo
This volume is written from the conviction that China’s need for church development is largely the need for the development of a healthy and robust presbyterianism that comes from an understanding of biblical theology of the church as articulated within the Reformed tradition. It frequently corrects common erroneous presuppositions and reveals that within China there is a surprising amount of freedom for Christians—and even for the officially illegal, unregistered churches.