Religious Entrepreneurism in China’s Urban House Churches: The Rise and Fall of Early Rain Reformed Presbyterian Church(Routledge Studies in Religion)

This book offers a unique historical documentation of the development of the ambitious religious entrepreneurism by leaders of the Early Rain church (and later Western China Presbytery leadership), in an effort to gain social influence in China through local institution-building and global public image management. It unravels the social processes of how this Christian community with a public image of defending religious freedom in China was undermined by an internal loss of moral authority. Based on publicly available texts from Chinese social media that aren’t readily available in the West as well as in-depth interviews, it is framed by existing scholarship in social theories of the public sphere, charismatic domination in social transition, and the role of power in organizational behaviour. These churches’ stories show how Christianity, which has long been politically marginalized in communist China, has not only adapted and challenged the socio-political status quo, but how it was also ironically shaped by the political culture. This is an insightful and critical ethnographic study of one of modern China’s most famous house churches. As such, it will be of great interest to scholars of Religion in China as well as those working in Religious Studies, Asian studies, Chinese studies, and Mission Studies more generally.

Table of Contents:
Introduction; Part I Consolidation; 1 Dissidents and liberals; 2 Redeeming the public sphere; 3 City to city; Part II Expansionism; 4 Second Reformation; 5 Covenant Reformed School; 6 "Splitting-Style Church-Planting"; Part III Radicalization; 7 Challenging Caesar; 8 Global networks; Conclusion

About the Author :
Li Ma is currently a research fellow at the Henry Institute of Christianity and Public Life at Calvin College, USA. She is the author of three books, including Surviving the State, Remaking the Church (with Jin Li) and The Chinese Exodus, and Towards Aslan’s Kingdom: A Guide to The Chronicles of Narnia (with Jin Li). She holds a PhD in sociology from Cornell University.

Review :
This book provides a carefully researched examination of the complex world of Chinese unregistered Christian churches (house churches). With a keen eye for both Chinese market development and Chinese-western relationships, both charismatic leadership and rapid urbanization, it opens a treasure chest of insight on the social, religious, political, economic, and diplomatic realities of recent Chinese history. Mark Noll, McAnaney Professor of History Emeritus, University of Notre Dame This excellent study tells the story of the dramatic rise and fall of an urban house church community in China. Li Ma creatively integrates social theory with rich ethnography. She also employs interdisciplinary lenses in a very skillful manner. I recommend anyone in China studies and/or institutional research to read this fine book. Richard Swedberg, Professor of Sociology, Cornell University, USA Christians in the West often have a highly romanticized view of the "underground" churches in mainland China. We lack trustworthy detailed accounts of what actually goes on in local contexts where there are not only wonderful displays of deep commitments to the Gospel, but also power struggles, competing theological influences, and the manipulation of local congregants by ambitious church leaders. Li Ma’s well-researched and highly readable narrative of the Early Rain community is splendid gift to all of us who want to be better informed about the dynamics of Christianity in present-day China. Richard Mouw, President Emeritus and Professor of Faith and Public Life, Fuller Theological Seminary This excellent study tells the story of the dramatic rise and fall of an urban house church community in China. Li Ma creatively integrates social theory with rich ethnography. She also employs interdisciplinary lenses in a very skillful manner. I recommend anyone in China studies and/or institutional research to read this fine book. Richard Swedberg, Professor of Sociology, Cornell University, USA This book provides a carefully researched examination of the complex world of Chinese unregistered Christian churches (house churches). With a keen eye for both Chinese market development and Chinese-western relationships, both charismatic leadership and rapid urbanization, it opens a treasure chest of insight on the social, religious, political, economic, and diplomatic realities of recent Chinese history. Mark Noll, Professor Emeritus, University of Notre Dame, USA Christians in the West often have a highly romanticized view of the "underground" churches in mainland China. We lack trustworthy detailed accounts of what actually goes on in local contexts where there are not only wonderful displays of deep commitments to the Gospel, but also power struggles, competing theological influences, and the manipulation of local congregants by ambitious church leaders. Li Ma’s well-researched and highly readable narrative of the Early Rain community is splendid gift to all of us who want to be better informed about the dynamics of Christianity in present-day China. Richard Mouw, President Emeritus and Professor of Faith and Public Life, Fuller Theological Seminary