Jackson Wu - Page 3 of 59 - Doing Theology. Thinking Mission.

We are defined by what we honor and shame

July 3, 2018 By Jackson Wu

“We are our memories,” so we think. It turns out that’s not true. Various studies indicate the things we honor and shame determine our identity more than do our memories. Morality defines “me” In her book Passing Judgment, Terri Apter summarizes the findings of several empirical studies. She writes, In fact, our judgments are more integral to who we are than our memories. It is widely recognized that brain damage can change one’s personality: those who suffer dementia, for example,… Read more

Integrating Symbol, Story, and Ritual (by Tom Steffen)

June 27, 2018 By Jackson Wu

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If one’s worldview is constructed through the integration of symbol and story rehearsed through ritual on the anchor and master levels, it will be deconstructed the same way so that it can be reconstructed. Rival symbols, stories, and rituals, in an integrative way, must replace ones that formerly gave allegiance to false gods. Transforming one’s worldview is the replacement of formerly held symbols, stories, and rituals with rival ones. This re-symboling, re-storying, and re-ritualing results in much more than changed observable behavior; it results in the deep-level alteration of the heart; it results in a new worldview script, new symbols, all of which are rehearsed through new rituals. Read more

Looking Back on the Orality Movement (Tom Steffen)

June 20, 2018 By Jackson Wu

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“You’re not going to bed until I hear about what you’ve been doing in Palawan,” I impetuously dictated to Trevor McIlwain in 1980. Our conversation went deep into the night. What I heard was something that would change Christian communicators and their recipients around the globe. Read more

ChinaSource looks at denominations in China and its churches

June 14, 2018 By Jackson Wu

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Last week, I wrote a post explaining the structure of many Chinese churches and the influence of patronage in pastoral relationships. By coincidence, ChinaSource Quarterly just published an entire issue discussing denominationalism in China. Read more

The Message of Genesis 1 in a Single Picture

June 13, 2018 By Jackson Wu

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When Moses taught Genesis 1, he wasn’t thinking to himself, “Hmm. What would Darwin say?” Most people will concede, “Yes, I know the purpose of Genesis 1 is not to refute evolution or the Big Bang.” In practice, however, they routinely use the chapter for the sake of apologetics at the expense of its message. The Purpose of Creation In China, like elsewhere, believers and non-believers debate the meaning of the Bible’s opening account. I personally think most of these… Read more

Polity and Patronage in Chinese Churches

June 6, 2018 By Jackson Wu

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How do Chinese house churches organize themselves? How does Chinese culture influence church structure? What are the implications? Read more

Paige Patterson is ousted as seminary president

May 23, 2018 By Jackson Wu

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Many of you read about Paige Patterson’s comments a few weeks ago. Here is the latest in a long sad story from Christianity Today. School trustees announced early Wednesday morning that Patterson, one of the most powerful and influential figures in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), had become the seminary’s president emeritus overnight, appointing theology dean Jeffrey Bingham as interim president. After deliberation that went on past 3 a.m., the board voted him into paid retirement, complete with an on-campus… Read more

China’s Five-Year Plan for Adapting Christianity to Chinese Socialism

May 23, 2018 By Jackson Wu

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Many people have heard about China’s plan to “sinicize” Christianity. What does that mean? The government has published its “sinicization” plans online, both in Mandarin and English. Here are some of highlights. Read more

Stop saying China is becoming “Western”

May 16, 2018 By Jackson Wu

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Here are a few phrases I’ve grown tired of. China is so “Western” now. X-city isn’t “real China.” I feel like I don’t live in China anymore. Why do people lament like this? What exactly do they call “Western”? Who are you calling “Western”? Time and again, they refer to various technological advances and conveniences found all around China. Everyone and their clothed dogs own a cell phone, maybe two. Buildings exceeding 20, 30, even 40 floors are… Read more

Paige Patterson wants us to keep silent. This is why we shouldn’t.

May 9, 2018 By Jackson Wu

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When we silence or cover scandalous actions and speech “under the blanket,” we only fool ourselves. In reality, we are not showing love. It is not loving to permit or tacitly approve when men objectify women or misuse their power. Read more