Faithful Disobedience: Writings on Church and State from a Chinese House Church Movement

Throughout China's rapidly growing cities, diverse expressions of unregistered house churches are also growing. In these churches, China's pastors are developing a rich theological perspective that is both uniquely Chinese and rooted in the historical doctrines of the faith. To understand what motivates these house churches, as well as the ongoing political conflicts between church and state in China, outsiders must study the theology that guides Chinese Christians.

In this volume, key house church writings 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--not only for the Chinese, but also for the Western church as it considers the relationship between church and state in its own contexts. 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.