Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity Is Transforming China and Changing the Global Balance of Power

by David Aikman

Book Overview

Politics are being transformed by religion, namely in China--within the next thirty years, one-third of this potential superpower could be Christian. If this religious transformation occurs, China... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1596980257
• ISBN13: 9781596980259
• Release Date: November 2006
• Publisher: Salem Books
• Length: 418 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Two Jews in China

Christian Missionaries came to China at least five times with failure! Protestant Robert Morrison came and worked for Opium pusher. The servants of God committed a lot cases and they pushed local hatred with the Boxer Movements. President Chiang baptized to marry Soong and eventually kicked out from China. Chinese people elect Marx and not Jesus and now become second in world economy. The author project a Christian China will change balance. Why Trump started a trade war in 2018? Will Chinese christian help united Judiasm, Moslem and Christian as all being children of Abraham? Which sect of Chinese Christian belong to - Mormon, Jehovah Witness, Seven Days Adventists, Christian Scientists? Will Communist crush the cult members with tanks and eventual heaven fire to kill women and children following Waco Texas? The Three Self Church was not a communist invention, actually an American missionary in 19th Century. I respected the missionaries during the 1937 Rape of Nanking such as Rev. John Magee, Minnie Valtrin and Dr. Bates and the team. The missionaries came to China did not practice what they peach. WILL THE REAL JESUS STAND UP!

The New Christendom

Philip Jenkins has alerted Westerners to the fact that the centers of Christendom are moving from their traditional locations in Europe and North America. Christianity is growing exponentially in Africa, of course, but in China, too, the numbers of adherents continues to grow. Jesus In Beijing speculates that withing the next thirty years, a third of China's population may be Christians, making it one of the largest Christian nations in the world. David Aikman, former Time Magazine bureau chief in Beijing, has written a winsome account of the history and development of Christianity in a nation with which he is very familiar. His personal contacts with House Church leaders, past and present, and with leaders of the Three Self "State" Church, give the book a clarity not likely to be repeated. It will undoubtedly become a standard reference in years to come. Aikman's style is always well-paced, so the book is a delight both for the scholar and the novice.

Aikman on China

Mr. Aikman has presented an excellent picture of the development of Christianity in China, right up to the present. It is very well written, enjoyable to read, and very informative. Having traveled to China on numerous occasions in recent years, I have found that my experiences have been confirmed by what he writes. This book is the best I have come across if you are looking for a picture of the recent development and situation of the church in China.

A Great new look at Christianity in China

This wonderful new book on the Christian role in China is written by a former Beijing bureau chief for Time magazine. He begins by looking at the history of the Christian church in China, its roots in Protestant and Catholic missionaries. Throughout he reveals the stories and turning points of the growth of the Chinese church. This dynamic group of men and women stood against all odds to bring the word of Christ to the people of China. The author then explores the quick growth and sad repression of Christianity. In many ways he compares it to the relationship between the Christians and Rome. Although they were suppressed they finally came to dominate the Roman empire in less then 500 years. Missionaries have been China for 400. The author forecasts a massive exponential growth of Christianity, showing how once it becomes 10% of China its rise will be unstoppable. The final conclusion of the author is that China will become a key ally of the west against militant Islam and that the commitment China have to Christianity will help renew the faith in the west, where church attendance is down dramatically. A very interesting work. The author helps to remind us that John Birch, who gave his name to the right wing society, was actually a missionary in China before being murdered by the communists.Seth J. Frantzman

Most useful treatment of the church in China

Veteran correspondent Dr. Advid Aikman has given us the fruit of many years of academic study, living in China, extensive travel, and wide-ranging interviews to produce what is possibly the most useful book on the church in China available today.He maintains the high standard set by writers such as David Adeney (China: The Church's Long March) and Tony Lambert (The Resurrection of the Chinese Church; China's Christian Millions), achieving both objectivity and appreciation in a careful balance.After an appetizer-introduction, he traces the history of Christianity in China from the earliest missionary endeavors in the Tang Dynasty to the most current developments. His wide knowledge of history enables him to place each stage of the shurch's story in its larger context.Lively writing, minute detail, arresting stories of many heroic individuals, and strategic insights make a potent combination; the book is hard to put down!We come away with a deep respect for men and women who have risked all, and suffered much, to follow Christ, especially since the Communists took over in 1949. Widespread persecution, often marked by brutal, even barbaric, torture, has brought Chinese Christians through the refining fire that could not quench their zeal.Though he concentrates upon the house churches, who form the vast majority of China's Christian millions, Aikman also offers a careful analysis of both the Protestant Three-Self Patriotic Movement and the two Roman Catholic organizations in China - one, like the TSPM, controlled by the government, the other loyal to the Vatican. He gives credit to those who have chosen to work within the confines of Communisty Party restrictions, but does not cover over the evidence for complicity in offical action against innocent believers by state-sponsored "church" leaders.Perhaps the most arresting chapter highlights the growing role of Christians among the educated elite - artists, writers, intellectuals, even Party members. Such a large number of these talented people are becoming Christians that Aikman thinks they will eventually influence both domestic and foreign policy.He could be right, for Chinese believers think that within a few years they will comprise 20 - 30% of the total population. Would such a critical mass tilt China towards America in the war on terrorism? It is possible, though the author also concedes that China could lurch back into rabid anti-Americanism, especially in a conflict over Taiwan.As he began with missionaries from the outside, so Aikman does not neglect the current role of foreigners who teach English, do business, or even evangelize and educate house churches clandestinely (though certainly not without police cognizance).Some think Aikman tends toward the optimistic, which is true, but he has reasons for his optimism, even if it needs tempering with inevitable realities to be found among Christians elsewhere, such as factions, division, abuse of authority, and neglect of family by many evange

Powerful, and eye opening

As a former professor of Chinese politics, I find this book fascinating for everyone. Akiman is an inspiring writer, who speaks fluent Chinese and has a Phd. Time magazine was lucky to have such a worldly reporter. Who would have guessed that within the next few decades nearly a third of the population of China will be Christian? That China will be transformed into one of the largest Christian nations? People can not understand the rapidly shifting political stage without reading this compelling book.