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Jesus In Beijing: How Christianity Transforming China Book Review

Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity Transforming China Changing Global Balance Power 'Jesus in Beijing' is a book authored by Aikman. The book has taken a keen interest on transformation and the changes taking place in the international power balance and a keen eye on the society within China. Aikman has focused on how the religion of Christianity is slowly penetrating deeper into the society under the rule of the government. The book circulates on the most important Christian matter and Christianity itself within the environs of the society. The book illustrates the idea of churches transforming into socialist protestant, Catholics party sponsored and an array of home-based churches. From this book, home churches are not constitutionally allowed in China. Aikman also censors out that these churches are composed of an assortment of persons believed to be part of the middle class in the society. The author percepts that these modern forms of churches are bound grow at a rate of 20 to 30% of the total Christian population in the future. It is evident that Aikman is trying to generate an argument that Christianity is likely to play a key role in the making of policies in China (Harper, & Eimer, 2010).

Aikman introduces the concept that the Chinese government has not paid attention to accepting the ever-increasing influence by Christianity amongst its population. The book gives a detailed description that no reader can miss the persecution that Christians in China experienced, especially in 1949 when the communist government took authority of the country. There is no doubt that the Chinese government has put to use mechanism such as torture in order to limit their growth. The book also states clearly that when Mao took over the authority of the country, no foreigner could habit in China. The remaining Chinese Christians had to put up with the wrath of the reigning government of the time while...

'Patriarchs' highlighted in the book are formed by many pastors who experienced harsh treatments for decades in prison simply because they refused to be part of the three half-patriotic movement churches controlled by the state (Old, 2008).
When it came to the point where the possibility of open persecution eroded, the government of that era changed their mechanism and gained full control of the church. China is made up a wide range of Catholic and protestant churches led and controlled by party sponsored communists and evangelists. This is closely accompanied with the fact that, while foreigners residing in the country for the purpose of teaching English or conducting their businesses are an aspect in the influence of Christianity, intense surveillance of police is suppressed upon them. Another common aspect linked with Christianity in this book is gender discrepancies seen among the Christian populations in China. It is evident in the book that the ratio of women attendance in the church is about seventy percent located in the mainland China. This same fact is also popular in the affiliates of China like the Island of Taiwan (Aikman, 2007).

Aikman has diversified the concentration of his arguments. The first argument that he points out is the ever-continuing growth of Christianity and its tandem with the inflatable economy of China. Another issue of concern in the book is the conflict that exists between the communist party and the Chinese church. The issue of gender disparities in the Chinese church is also another point of focus. Aikman illustrates this by highlighting the analysis of the church that is rapidly growing, as a group of educated elites has observed it. This comprises of intellectuals, writers, artistes, and even some members who are from the communist party in China. A keen view on this book makes one realize the deep root for freedom by…

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References

Aikman, D. (2006). Jesus in Beijing. Washington, DC: Regnery Pub.

Gran Aikman, D. (2007). Billy Graham: His life and influence. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Harper, D., & Eimer, D. (2010). Beijing. Footscray, Vic: Lonely Planet.

Old, H.O. (2008). The reading and preaching of the scriptures in the worship of the Christian church. Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans
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