(Heilongjiang province) From July 5th to 8th, the official Christianity network in China, which is controlled by the government, held a workshop. They focused on Sinicized Christian ethics. Their discussion about new Sinicized teaching materials garnered considerable attention.
“An Introduction to Christian Ethics”
The official Christianity network in China reported on “An Introduction to Christian Ethics in China,” new materials to teach the Sinicization of Christianity. Staff of the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement and the China Christian Council attended. Others in attendance at the conference were 14 staff members of the working group for the composition of the teaching material.
Attendees
Pastor Li Meilan, the Vice President of the Heilongjiang Provincial Christian Council and the Executive Vice President of Heilongjiang Theological Seminary, presided over the opening ceremony. Pastor Kan Baoping, the Vice President of the China Christian Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee, and Pastor Lu Dezhi, President of the Heilongjiang Provincial Christian Council, and the President of Heilongjiang Theological Seminary, delivered speeches at the event.
The Foundation
In his speech, Kan Baoping emphasized that existing Western ethical thoughts and theories should not be copied. Instead, Chinese culture should be the foundation for ethics in Chinese Christianity. He also emphasized the need for the staff involved in the writing of the material to update their perspectives and ensure that the material meets the requirements of Sinicization. On the other hand, educational material should actively utilize Chinese culture to promote its compatibility and adaptation in a socialist society.
For Sinicization
The pastor surnamed Lu, who holds many positions, said that the workshop is an important guarantee for the quality of education in seminaries. An Introduction to Christian Ethics in China will be of great significance to promote the Sinicization of Christianity.
Rev. Dr. Lin Manhong, associate general secretary of the China Christian Council and academic dean of the Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, provided a brief review and plan for the writing of the teaching material.
Correct Ethics
The workshop concluded by emphasizing that the writing approach and outline of the teaching material should better reflect the guidance of socialist core values, meet the needs of the Chinese Church and guide theological students to establish “correct” ethical perspectives.
A Farce
How will the Chinese official Christian scholars balance the socialist core values in the editing of this curriculum? How will these ethics, guided by the Chinese Communist Party, be presented to the Church community? This attempt may become a laughingstock in the theological world and leave behind a significant historical farce.
~Gao Zhensai Special Correspondent of ChinaAid
