Throughout China’s rapidly growing cities, a new wave of unregistered house churches is growing. They are developing rich theological perspectives that are both uniquely Chinese and rooted in the historical doctrines of the faith. To understand how they have endured despite government pressure and cultural marginalization, we must understand both their history and their theology.

In this volume, key writings from the house church have been compiled, translated, and made accessible to English speakers. Featured here is a manifesto by well-known pastor Wang Yi and his church, Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, to clarify their theological stance on the house church and its relationship to the Chinese government. There are also works by prominent voices such as Jin Tianming, Jin Mingri, and Sun Yi. The editors have provided introductions, notes, and a glossary to give context to each selection.

These writings are an important body of theology historically and spiritually. Though they are defined by a specific set of circumstances, they have universal applications in a world where the relationship between church and state is more complicated than ever. This unique resource will be valuable to practical and political theologians as well as readers interested in international relations, political philosophy, history, and intercultural studies.

In this interview, originally recorded in Mandarin at Singapore Bible College in 2024, Dr. Ximian (Simeon) Xu of the University of Edinburgh shares about his pietist house church upbringing, scientific background, and how he has uniquely used his careers in engineering and theology to help us understand AI and guide the development of AI ethics, with direct applications for the church.

In a context in which Christians have been forced to either come under the Chinese government's oversight or face persecution, Wang Yi ponders what it means to be a Christian patriot who loves their country and strives for its betterment versus a nationalist who idolizes their nation.

The first and last chapters of the Bible tell us God’s will and plan for humanity, and the consummation of this plan in the new Jerusalem. What was started in the garden will be perfected in the church. These chapters also give us hope in the eschatological tension of this age.

An Interview with J.D. Tseng

J. D. Tseng (pseudonym), the co-editor of Wang Yi’s Faithful Disobedience, is a Christian writer and an editor for Christian media. In this interview he recalls meeting Wang Yi twenty years ago and traces his journey from human rights lawyer to pastor.