Redeemed by Fire: The Rise of Popular Christianity in Modern China by Lian Xi (review)

Abstract

118 Journal of Chinese Religions category “belief” the base upon which so many descriptions of religiosity are built? While Early Chinese Religion does not answer these questions, it is nevertheless a superb collection of essays that will shape the field for years to come. MICHAEL J. WALSH, Vassar College Redeemed by Fire: The Rise of Popular Christianity in Modern China LIAN XI. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2010. xiii, 333 pages. ISBN 9780 -300-12339-5. US$45.00, £30.00, hardcover. Lian Xi 連曦 has written an unusual book in that it makes an academic study of popular Christianity in China. A number of church publications have described individual Chinese church leaders and revival movements, but hardly any comprehensive academic works have dealt with this topic. Lian contributes not only to Chinese church history with this book, he also adds new dimensions to modern and contemporary general Chinese history through his analysis of several important individuals and his description of indigenous movements with a large following. All too often religious factors in social change are played down in historical analysis, and this is generally also the case with regard to China. In the introductory chapter Lian defines the framework for his book and gives a brief historical overview, beginning with Catholic efforts at indigenization. He continues with a chapter on early 19th century developments such as the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom 太平天國 and Hong Xiuquan 洪秀全, as well as “The Overcomer of Demons,” Xi Shengmo 席勝魔. Here Lian sets the tone for the whole book by linking Christian developments with the context of popular Chinese religion while also noting their disassociation from missionary Christianity. Subsequent chapters are arranged more or less chronologically and deal with the True Jesus Church 真耶穌教會 (Zhen Yesu jiaohui), the Jesus Family 耶穌家庭 (Yesu jiating), John Sung (Song Shangjie 宋尚節), Wang Mingdao 王明道 and Watchman Nee (Ni Tuosheng 倪柝聲), respectively. There are also separate chapters on larger revivals primarily during the 1920s and 1930s, the situation of the indigenous churches during the civil and external wars in 1930s and 1940s, and a final chapter on popular indigenous movements during the People’s Republic. (Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1998), 34. Book Reviews 119 Lian Xi has done meticulous research on the described individuals and movements, and even for an initiated reader the book presents a number of new facts and interesting details. He has used archival material in China and abroad, conducted many interviews and accessed the most current Chinese research on these topics. Lian tells full stories of these revivals and their leaders, also pointing out individual shortcomings and failures, including serious financial and sexual errors. The accounts of lesser known preachers and leaders such as True Jesus Church founder Wei Enbo 魏恩波, or Jing Dianying 敬奠瀛 of the Jesus Family, and the analysis of the influence of Witness Lee (Li Changshou 李常受) on Watchman Nee sets a high standard for research on Christianity in China. However, here and there Lian Xi seems to lose something of his objective historian’s gaze, falling into more subjective assessments and repeating accusations by others that the book would have fared better without. Both the chapter “The Smitten Land” and the chapter on Wang Mingdao give the reader some contrast to the fiery revivals and sweeping movements around charismatic leaders as described in other parts of the book. Here we meet some alternative figures such as the Norwegian woman missionary Marie Monsen, who led a revival in Shandong in the late 1920s and early 1930s, “the Christian General” Feng Yuxiang 馮玉祥, and also theologian and church leader Zhao Zichen 趙紫宸. Lian presents this wider context as an important backdrop to the popular movements, and shows how the urge for salvation of both people and country, focusing on indigenous expressions, would take quite different paths. The chapter on developments during the early years of the People’s Republic, the Cultural Revolution, and after mentions all the major revivals and movements of the period. As a historian, Lian’s focus is naturally not primarily on the contemporary scene, but considering his capacity for detail I would have liked to have seen more on very recent developments. As it is, this chapter gives inspiration for others to continue the work, but it would...