Questions about the Haidian Christian Three-Self Church, in Beijing

[rudy45]

Has anyone been to this church, in Beijing? Do they have a statement of faith? Thanks.

[texas booster]

Many of the smaller Christian churches in China are an interesting blend of Chinese culture and Christianity. Do not confuse them with a Western style church, just no connection.

I was very interested in Chinese Christianity many years ago and finally decided that the cultural aspects are beyond my comprehension, until I live over in whatever sub-group the church is from.

That does not make them less Christian in my mind, just different. Watchman Nee started out as very spiritual and slowly morphed into something that we in the West can't recognize as Christianity.

Who knows where the Three-Self church resides along that path?

I have enough problems in the US understanding churches that are New Age, very liberal or very regionalized.

I should also mention that it is more difficult to post a website on a home church in China than it is elsewhere.

[ccmay]

This is the government-approved Protestant church organization in China. They are authentically Christian but fiercely patriotic towards the Chinese government.

The "Three Self" part has nothing to do with the Trinity, but rather stands for "self-governance, self-support, self-propagation." They broke away from control of the American and British overseas mission boards in the 50's to prove their loyalty to the new Chinese government.

The liturgy should be something like a Methodist or Presbyterian church.

[texas booster]

http://beijingdiary.blogspot.com/2006_02_01_archive.html

Interesting blog that covers the Three-Self Church.

The blogger, Eric, sees the US as very complicated, China as complicated and Japan as very homogeneous.

Interesting perspective.