Chinese Theological Review 1988
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Chinese Theological Review [Vol. 4, 1988] This page was generated automatically upon download from the Globethics.net Library. More information on Globethics.net see https://www.globethics.net. Data and content policy of Globethics.net Library repository see https:// repository.globethics.net/pages/policy Item Type Journal volume Publisher Foundation for Theological Education in South East Asia (FTESEA) Rights With permission of the license/copyright holder Download date 03/10/2021 12:10:42 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12424/165449 Chinese Theological Review 1988 CONTENTS Preface............................................................................................................................................. 2 1. Minutes ...................................................................................................................................... 4 ARTICLES 2. "Truly, You Are the Son of God" – Xu Rulei ........................................................................... 8 3. Church Reconstruction and Theological Training in China – Cao Shengjie.......................... 13 4. Theological Reflection in the Chinese Church – Shen Yifan ................................................. 21 5. Chinese Culture and Christian Faith – Zhao Dianpeng ........................................................... 29 6. Form in Christian Art – He Huibing ....................................................................................... 36 7. Living as Christians Today: Biblical Insights – Chen Zemin ................................................. 40 8. Living as Christians Today: Sociological Insights – Zhang Guangzheng............................... 46 SPECIAL SECTION ON RELIGION AND SOCIETY 9. Recent Developments in the Study of Religion – K.H. Ting and Wang Weifan................... 60 10. A Tentative Enquiry into the Problem of the Compatibility between Religion and Socialist Society in China – Xiao Zhitian................................................................................................... 72 11. Christianity and Western Civilization – Zhao Fusan............................................................. 84 12. Address to the Seventh Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference – Zhao Puchu 98 SERMONS 13. God is Our Guard and Eternal Home – He Huibing ........................................................... 104 14. Divine Love – Wang Weifan .............................................................................................. 110 15. The Lord Comes in Search of Me – Luo Zhenfang ............................................................ 113 16. Matthew 13: 31-32 – K. H. Ting......................................................................................... 119 17. John 18: 22-24 – K. H. Ting................................................................................................ 121 18. Responsibility and Mission – Peng Cui'an.......................................................................... 124 19. Know Christ, Follow Christ – Xu Minghan........................................................................ 128 20. Selah (I) – Sun Hanshu ....................................................................................................... 131 21. Selah (II) – Sun Hanshu ...................................................................................................... 138 22. The Lord Has Need of It – Can Huixiang........................................................................... 145 23. About the Authors................................................................................................................ 149 CONTENTS Preface Bishop Shen Yifan quotes John 6:68, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life," in his essay which appears in this issue of the Chinese Theological Review. He then comments, "So that the light of this eternal life might shine in the society of New China, we have begun to reflect anew theologically." There is ample evidence of this throughout the articles and sermons which make up the volume. Zhao Dianpeng, He Huibing, and Sun Hanshu all explore ways in which Chinese tradition and custom can inform a Chinese Christian spirituality. In the articles by Chen Zemin and Zhang Guangzheng there are numerous examples of developing forms of Christian witness particular to China. Bishop Shen's article provides some of the background and theological underpinnings for these developments. A special feature of this 1988 issue is the section on religion and society. It provides a selection of articles reflecting the important changes taking place in attitudes toward religion, both on the part of scholars researching the subject and among people in general. Recent years have seen new initiatives in China's social, political and economic realms. Similarly, new approaches to understanding and fresh insights in the study of religion are leading gradually to an acceptance of the positive role of religion in culture and society, as well as to a recognition of the contributions religious adherents can make to the nation. Non-religious academics like Xiao Zhitian of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences have been calling for a departure from previous rigid attitudes toward religion and religious believers for years. His paper on the possible relationship between religion, especially Christianity, and Marxism, reflects the more enlightened view which has gained ascendancy in Chinese scholarly circles in the last decade. Religious leaders and researchers have also taken an active part in the discussion. Zhao Fusan, Deputy Director of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, and Vice-chairperson of the National Three-Self Movement, makes an impressive apologetic for religious belief in demonstrating the crucial role Christianity has played in shaping Western culture. The article which appears here, a condensation of a much longer study printed in The Journal of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (April, 1987), was reprinted in the widely-read Shanghai periodical, Xinhua Wenzhai, a monthly compendium of articles and reports selected from the Chinese press. The address by Zhao Puchu, President of the Chinese Buddhist Association, to the Chinese People's Political Consultative conference, which raises problems being traced to Buddhist circles, is included here because of the many similarities between the Buddhist situation and that of Christianity. The highly significant study by K.H. Ting and Wang Weifan presents a strong critique of outmoded views of religion and inadequate implementation of religious policy, and a vigorous call for greater independence in the control of their own affairs by the religious bodies and by believers themselves. The final section of the paper calls for the reform of leadership and administration in religious affairs work. This has direct implications for policy and marks a new departure in the level of the critique by religious circles. The extensive quotations from other journals included in the paper indicate the wide-spread nature of the discussion and the interest the subject arouses. This important paper should be carefully read and studied by all who are concerned about religion and religious life in China. Also of importance to Chinese Protestants are the Minutes of the Third Joint Meeting of the Standing Committees of the Three-Self Movement and the China Christian Council. Discussion at the meeting centered on the changing function of the Three-Self Movement. These changes have great significance for the Chinese church and developments will be watched with great interest around the world in the months to come. Articles and sermons for this volume have been selected from the Nanjing Theological Review and the Syllabus, a correspondence course for lay leaders, both published by Nanjing Seminary; Religion, the journal of the Institute of Religious Studies of Nanjing University; Collected Sermons, published by the Hangzhou Christian Council; and the Shanghai periodical Xinhua Wenzhai. All materials have been selected by the editor. Though an effort is made to include important statements issued by the China Christian Council and the Three- Self Patriotic Association, there is no attempt to be comprehensive. Pinyin romanization of Chinese names and terms is used throughout, except where another form is widely used or, in the case of names, is known to be a personal preference. Biblical quotations follow the Revised Standard Version. A brief identification of authors will be found at the back of the book. Where no translator is listed, articles were written or obtained in English. I would like to thank the authors of the articles and sermons presented here for generously consenting to share their work and for their continued support for this Review. Thanks are also due to Marvin Hoff and Joanne Hoff of the Foundation for Theological Education in Southeast Asia for their encouragement and assistance; to the translators: Peter Barry, Ewing W. Carroll, Jr., William Dockery, Lucy T.H. Loh, Craig Moran, Brynmor Price, Francesca Rhys, Britt E. Towery and Philip L. Wickeri; to Deborah Degolyer for proof-reading and to Eva Lai Woon Ching for typing the manuscripts. Janice Wickeri 1. Minutes Of the Third Joint Meeting of the Standing Committees of the Fourth Chinese Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee and the Second National China Christian Council (17 December 1988) The Third Joint Meeting of the Standing Committees of the Fourth Chinese Three-Self