Issue 98: Christianity in China


$5.00 10/$40.00 25/$75.00

Chinese churches have been bursting with new life for decades despite numerous limitations. It's impossible to understand the dynamic growth—and unique challenges—of Chinese Christianity today without looking back at the events of the last century. And when we do, we find a remarkable story of endurance and innovation, courage and creativity, intense suffering and transformative action. The Chinese church has been like bamboo, that ubiquitous Chinese symbol of strength, flexibility, and perseverance—growing even in the midst of harsh conditions, bending but not breaking in the wind.

Feature Articles:

From Foreign Mission to Chinese Church
Missionaries in China were hampered by pressures from home, mistakes in leadership, and identification with the West, but they planted the seeds that would someday yield an astonishing harvest.
Daniel H. Bays

Also: A Gallery of Missionaries
The Billy Graham of China: John Sung
Everything for the Lord: Watchman Nee

Worshiping Under the Communist Eye
The birth of an "official" Chinese church helped Christianity thrive in public under political constraints.
Ryan Dunch

Also: An Evangelical Patriot and Critic: Marcus Cheng
Religious Freedom and Chinese Law

As for Me and My House
The house-church movement survived persecution and created a surge of Christian growth across China.
Tony Lambert

Also: No Compromise: Wang Mingdao

Caught Between Rome and Beijing
Chinese Catholics have endured devastating division in the past century.
Kim-Kwong Chan

To Every Tribe
Early missionaries laid the groundwork for mass movements to Christ among the minority peoples of China.
Ralph Covell

Christianity Fever
Through a century of political turmoil and disillusionment, waves of Chinese intellectuals have come to Christ.
Stacey Bieler and Carol Lee Hamrin

Also: Salt and Light: Mary Stone, James Yen, and Yifang Wu

Prodigal Son
A third-generation Chinese Christian describes his journey from persecution to Communism to faith.

Regular Features:

Did You Know?
Interesting facts about Christianity in China

Christian History & Biography Timeline China in the 20th Century

Recommended Resources Dig deeper into this issue's theme