Christianity in China
Christianity has been present in China since the early medieval period, and became a significant presence in the country during the early modern era. The Assyrian Church of the East appeared in China in the 7th century, during the Tang dynasty. Catholicism was one of the religions patronized by the emperors of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty, but it did not take root in China until its reintroduction by the Jesuits during the 16th century.[1] Beginning in the early 19th century, Protestant missions in China attracted small but influential followings, and independent Chinese churches were also established.
Accurate data on Chinese Christians is difficult to access. There are estimates that say Christianity is the fastest growing religion in China.[2] There were some 4 million before 1949 (3 million Catholics and 1 million Protestants).[3] In the early 2000s, there were approximately 38 million Protestants and 10-12 million Catholics, with a smaller number of Orthodox Christians.[2] The number of Chinese Christians had increased significantly since the easing of restrictions on religious activities during the economic reforms of the late 1970s. In 2018, the Chinese government declared that there are over 44 million Christians (38 million Protestants & 6 million Catholics) in China.[4] On the other hand, some international Christian organizations estimate that there are tens of millions more, who choose not to publicly identify as such.[5] These estimations are controversial because the organizations which make them are often accused of deliberately inflating them.[5][6][7]
For most of Chinese imperial history, religious practice was tightly controlled by the state. The People's Republic of China also heavily regulates religion. Chinese people over the age of 18 are only allowed to join Christian groups that are registered with one of three state-controlled bodies, either the Catholic Patriotic Church, the China Christian Council, or the Protestant Three-Self Church.[8] However, many Chinese Christians are members of informal networks and underground churches, often known as house churches. These began to proliferate during the 1950s when many Christians rejected the state-controlled bodies.[9] Members of house churches represent diverse theological traditions, and have been described as representing a "silent majority" of Chinese Christians.[10]
History[edit]
Pre-modern history[edit]
The significant lack of evidence of Christianity's existence in China between the 3rd century and the 7th century can likely be attributed to the barriers which were placed in Persia by the Sassanids and the closure of the trade route in Turkestan.
Both events prevented Christians from staying in contact with their mother church, the Syriac Antiochian Church, thereby halting the spread of Christianity until the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang (627–649). Taizong, who had studied the Christian Scriptures which were given to him by the Assyrian missionary Alopen, realized "their propriety and truth and specifically ordered their preaching and transmission."[11]
Art and media[edit]
Christian art is an important part of expressing faith for Christians, archeological sites containing early Christian art and architecture can be found throughout China and are protected by the government as Chinese antiquities.[124]
There is Christian media produced in China. The Christian magazine Tian Feng has a large reach, as do the academic journals Chinese Theological Review and Nanjing Theological Review. The Bible is translated into Chinese, such as the Chinese New Version, Chinese Union Version, Delegates' Version, Studium Biblicum Version, and Today's Chinese Version. Hymnals include Canaan Hymns and Chinese New Hymnal. Contemporary Christian music is available on streaming services like QQ Music.[125][126][127][128]
Foreign Christian media is handled differently than other forms of foreign media, as the China Film Administration and National Radio and Television Administration sees it as a distinctive expression of Christian faith. The Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party instead relegates the task of releasing and translation of foreign Christian films and Christian literature to the State Administration for Religious Affairs, and the various Catholic Patriotic Association, China Christian Council, and Three-Self Patriotic Movement denominations. Christian television series such as Superbook, The Chosen, and Duck Dynasty are widely available in China, and are oftentimes even dubbed into Chinese.[129][130][131] Christian video games and interactive media are also accessible in Chinese, including the YouVersion Bible app and Superbook games.[132]