Salt and Light: Rethinking Chinese Public Theology in Kuala Lumpur
After leaving Kuala Lumpur, one question stayed with me: were we, throughout the conference, actually speaking about the same thing when we used the term ‘public theology’?
Arleen Luo was born in China and has been involved with Bible Mission there and in Chinese communities around the world for a long time. After training in Western theological seminaries, Arleen brings a deeper understanding to her work. She has a great passion to connect Western missionaries and Eastern communities by bridging cultural gaps and fostering understanding.
After leaving Kuala Lumpur, one question stayed with me: were we, throughout the conference, actually speaking about the same thing when we used the term ‘public theology’?
Some may assume that Chinese Bible translation resources are limited, but that’s not entirely accurate. The United Bible Societies have been carrying out an extensive Bible digitization project, preserving texts and creating digital archives in many languages. This project revealed that while English has the highest number of translations, Chinese ranks third after Spanish, with over 80 complete or partial translations.
As the old Chinese saying goes: "The final mile counts for half the journey. Without it, the previous ninety-nine are wasted" (行百里路者半九十). Fully engaging with the Bible, transforming life, resembles a long and arduous road.
Understanding both the registered and unregistered aspects of the church in China provides a more comprehensive picture of the dynamic interplay within the Christian sphere, shedding light on the various challenges and opportunities that each sector encounters.