Asian Christianity: The Growth of the Church in China, Korea, and Beyond

Summary of the Argument

Asia is home to some of the most remarkable stories of Christian growth in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. South Korea has become one of the most Christianized nations in Asia, with Christians representing approximately 30% of the population and Korean churches sending missionaries worldwide. China's underground house church movement has grown from a few million Christians in 1949 to an estimated 60-100 million today, despite decades of communist persecution. And the Philippines, Indonesia, and India all have significant and growing Christian populations that are making important contributions to global Christianity.

Asian Christianity is characterized by its diversity, its vitality, and its distinctive theological contributions. Asian theologians have developed contextual theologies that engage the rich philosophical and religious traditions of Asia—Confucianism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism—while maintaining the distinctiveness of the Christian gospel. Understanding Asian Christianity is essential for understanding the global church of the twenty-first century.

Critical Evaluation

The Chinese House Church Movement

The Chinese house church movement represents one of the most remarkable stories of Christian growth in the history of the church. When the Communist Party came to power in 1949, there were approximately 700,000 Protestant Christians in China. After decades of persecution, including the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) during which all religious practice was banned, the church emerged with millions of members. The house church movement's growth under persecution has been attributed to its emphasis on prayer, its willingness to suffer for the faith, and its development of indigenous forms of worship and community life.

The theological character of the Chinese house church movement is distinctive. Its emphasis on prayer, fasting, and spiritual warfare reflects both the Pentecostal influence and the Chinese cultural context. Its willingness to suffer for the faith draws on the early church's theology of martyrdom. And its development of indigenous forms of worship and community life demonstrates the possibility of genuine inculturation of the gospel in Chinese cultural contexts.

Korean Christianity

South Korea's remarkable Christianization in the twentieth century has been attributed to several factors: the association of Christianity with Korean nationalism during the Japanese colonial period, the church's role in education and social welfare, the emphasis on prayer and spiritual discipline in Korean Christianity, and the church's engagement with the social and political challenges of Korean society. Korean churches have become major senders of missionaries worldwide, with Korean missionaries serving in over 170 countries.

Relevance to Modern Church

Contemporary Significance

Asian Christianity's growth and vitality have profound implications for the global church. Asian Christians are increasingly sending missionaries to other parts of the world, including Europe and North America. Asian theologians are making significant contributions to global theological conversations, challenging Western assumptions and enriching the church's understanding of the gospel. And Asian church leaders are playing increasingly important roles in global ecumenical bodies.

For ministry professionals, Asian Christianity's emphasis on prayer, spiritual discipline, and willingness to suffer for the faith provides resources for ministry that takes seriously the cost of discipleship. For credentialing in church history and global Christianity, Abide University offers programs that engage this important and growing tradition.

Implications for Ministry and Credentialing

Asian Christianity's emphasis on prayer, spiritual discipline, and willingness to suffer for the faith provides resources for ministry that takes seriously the cost of discipleship. For credentialing in church history and global Christianity, Abide University offers programs that engage this important tradition.

For ministry professionals seeking to formalize their expertise, the Abide University Retroactive Assessment Program offers a pathway to academic credentialing that recognizes prior learning and pastoral experience.