No one, even fifty years ago, would have dreamed of referring to China as “the next Christendom.” But the work of God in the advance of the gospel in that country over the past few decades is nothing short of astonishing, and all sides – peasants, governmental officials, and outside onlookers alike – have taken notice of the growing prominence of the Christian church in that notoriously atheist country. China, believe it or not, is now home to more evangelical Christians than any other nation in the world, and among them a specifically Reformed Christianity is making unprecedented advance also, as it has around the globe in our generation.
China’s Reforming Churches book provides both a historical look at Presbyterianism in China and an assessment of the current state of affairs, orienting readers to church development needs and the basic outlines of Reformed Christianity in China today. While laying out the challenges and opportunities facing the church, the authors argue that assisting this reformation in China should be a central objective of the Presbyterian and Reformed mission to China in this generation.
Table of Contents
Introduction: China, Church Development, and Presbyterianism
Bruce P. Baugus
Part I The History of Presbyterianism in China
1. A Brief History of the Western Presbyterian and Reformed Mission to China
Michael M.
2. Watson Hayes and the North China Theological Seminary
A. Donald MacLeod
3. A Brief History of the Korean Presbyterian Mission to China
Bruce P. Baugus & Sung-Il Steve Park
Part II Presbyterianism in China Today
4. In Their Own Words: Perceived Challenges of Christians in China
Brent Fulton
5. Why Chinese Churches Need Biblical Presbyterianism
Luke P. Y. Lu
6. A Few Significant Ones: A Conversation with Two of China s Leading Reformers
Bruce P. Baugus
Part III Challenges & Opportunities for Presbyterianism in China
7. The Social Conditions of Ministry in China Today
G. Wright Doyle
8. China: a Tale of Two Churches?
Brent Fulton
9. Two Kingdoms in China: Reformed Ecclesiology and Social Ethics
David VanDrunen
10. From Dissension to Joy: Resources from Acts 15:1 35 for Global Presbyterianism
Guy Waters
Part IV Appropriating a Tradition
11. The Emergence of Legal Christian Publishing in China: An Opportunity for Reformed Christians
Phil Remmers
12. A Report on the State of Reformed Theological Education in China
Bruce P. Baugus
13. The Indigenization & Contextualization of the Reformed Faith in China
Paul Wang
Conclusion: The Future of Presbyterianism in China
Bruce P. Baugus
Appendices
A. Robert Morrison s Catechism – Introduced and Translated
Michael M.
B. Shandong Student Protest and Appeal – Introduced
Bruce P. Baugus and Translated by Born
About the Author
Bruce P. Baugus is is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. He was the coorganizer, with Dave Holmlund, of the China s Reforming Churches conference. A former pastor, Bruce is a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America where he serves on the Candidates and Credentials Committee.
Endorsement from Richard Gaffin
What is the actual state of the church in China? Only the Lord of the church knows for sure. But one thing is certain. We are in the midst of a time when God is at work in an unprecedented way throughout China, gathering His elect to Himself, building and reforming the church there. To this observer, one of the most encouraging aspects of this remarkable development is the growing desire to see the church become expressly Reformed in doctrine and life and presbyterian in government. The editor is to be commended for his vision and efforts in providing us with this book. Its various contributors together offer informative perspectives on current conditions in the Chinese church, both great encouragements and undeniable challenges. This book is an invaluable aid to anyone interested in being better informed about the church in China, not least in being better able to pray more intelligently for the great work God is doing there.