CCC&TSPM held a theological theory seminar and training in Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province, to systematically promote the sinicization of Christianity.
From October 23 to 25, over 80 participants attended the seminar and training, including representatives from CC&TSPMs across various provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, as well as theological teachers from seminaries and contributors to the "Doctrine of God" essay competition, said the host.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. Liao Min, a member of the Party Leadership Group and deputy director of the Jiangxi Provincial Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau, briefed the history and current status of Christianity in Jiangxi Province, along with the province's experiences in implementing the sinicization of Christianity.
Rev. Shan Weixiang, vice chairperson of the national TSPM, remarked on the younger groups of the paper authors as a positive phenomenon. He highlighted that the seminar's purpose is to re-evaluate faith through the lens of the Chinese, fostering understanding within the context of Chinese culture and deepening knowledge and comprehension of God.
Dr. Wen Ge, associate general secretary of CCC and teaching dean at Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, delivered a lecture titled "The Construction of a Sinicized View of God from the Rise and Fall of the Western Classical View of God: Also on the Concept of God as the ‘Parents’." He emphasized that contemporary Western theology's critique of the classical doctrine of God offers significant insights for developing a sinicized understanding of God. When exploring the sinicized view of God, people should focus on Christology while integrating elements of traditional Chinese culture. He proposed that the concept of God as the 'Parents' allows Chinese Christians to comprehend the relationship between God and man through the perspectives of paternal and maternal love.
CCC&TSPM received over 180 essays on the "Doctrine of God," with authors of 20 selected papers engaging in nearly two days of on-site discussions. The speakers included representatives from distinct provincial CC&TSPMs, faculty and students from theological seminaries, and pastors. Each participant shared their understanding of God.
During the closing ceremony on the 25th, representatives from the three groups stated that discussions on constructing the sinicized theological theory from various fields, dimensions, and perspectives would help expand horizons and deepen understanding. They also offered suggestions on preaching practices, the compilation of findings, and resource references.
In her concluding remarks, Rev. Lin Manhong, vice president and general secretary of the CCC, emphasized that the effort in constructing a view of God with Chinese characteristics extends beyond 2024, though it is the key initiative this year. She anticipated that the theological theory of the sinicization of Christianity could be systematically promoted through developing a sinicized view of God. Rev. Lin urged the Chinese Christian community to continue enhancing their learning and generating new ideas, expecting that the future mature view of God in the Chinese church would not only be based on the Bible and rooted in the traditions of the holy catholic church but would also integrate the practices of the Chinese church. She stressed the importance of strengthening research and translating theological theories into church practices while remaining connected to the realities of the Chinese church, thereby allowing these theological theories to guide believers' faith and support the church's mission.
Churches in China should conceive a "view of God" characterized by the Chinese church from the perspective of the sinicization of Christianity according to the key tasks for 2024 themed “Respect Life, Witness Glory” in the “Outline of the Five-Year Work Plan for Deeply Advancing the Sinicization of Christianity (2023-2027).”
In mid-August, CCC&TSPM organized a corresponding academic seminar, inviting pastoral staff, teachers, and students from CC&TSPMs and theological schools nationwide to contribute manuscripts. The discussion focused on theological reflections concerning the "Doctrine of God," integrating elements of Chinese traditional culture and presenting the "view of God" from a Chinese perspective. Relevant theological papers will be compiled for publication.
