Sam Ren holds a PhD in Philosophy and is a researcher of Chinese Christianity. He previously taught for many years at a public university in China before pursuing theological studies at an evangelical seminary in the United States. He currently resides in Beijing.
If Chinese Christians can develop robust local sources of information and reflection, they can move away from a “nervous” existence and learn to navigate risks, mitigate pressures, and live out their faith meaningfully within the land they inhabit.
The Sinicization of Christianity is not merely a passing campaign, but a long-term issue that will continue to shape the church in China.
In the face of uncertainty and anxiety about the future, Christians must return to the essence of the gospel. While the gospel has the power to transform society, societal change has never been the primary focus of Christian faith. The gospel transforms society by bringing hope to individuals and inspiring moral renewal. The gradual transformation of individual lives collectively fosters societal progress.
Without a thorough understanding of American evangelicalism and how it was conceived within a specific historical context, Chinese Christianity could be prone to "imitating blindly," which could lead to "maladjustment" and "malnutrition," hindering its healthy growth and development in the future.