About this product

Product Identifiers

PublisherOxford University Press, Incorporated

ISBN-100190923466

ISBN-139780190923464

eBay Product ID (ePID)4038259431

Product Key Features

Number of Pages408 Pages

Publication NameChina and the True Jesus : Charisma and Organization in a Chinese Christian Church

LanguageEnglish

SubjectChristian Ministry / Missions, Christianity / Pentecostal & Charismatic, General, Eastern, Christianity / General

Publication Year2019

TypeTextbook

AuthorMelissa Wei-Tsing Inouye

Subject AreaReligion

FormatHardcover

Dimensions

Item Height1.5 in

Item Weight24 Oz

Item Length6.2 in

Item Width9.3 in

Additional Product Features

Intended AudienceScholarly & Professional

LCCN2018-022326

Reviews"This is a brilliant combination of thorough archival research and meticulous qualitative field work in China, resulting in one of the finest studies on Christianity in China in the English language that I have ever seen. The author's sympathetic insight into one of the most significant of the Chinese independent churches is unparalleled and will remain a benchmark for such studies for years to come."--Allan H. Anderson, Professor of Mission and Pentecostal Studies, University of Birmingham "The True Jesus Church seems like a bundle of contradictions: nationalist yet universalist; charismatic yet highly institutionalized; cooperating with the state yet rejecting secular powers; world rejecting yet this-worldly. In Inouye's expert hands this complex group becomes less paradoxical and her insightful analysis clarifies our understandings of gender and modernity in China, relations between religions and the state there, and even the nature of authority itself."--Robert P. Weller, Professor of Anthropology and Director of Graduate Studies, Boston University "Melissa Inouye has written the first full-length study in English of one of the most important strands within indigenous Chinese Protestant Christianity, the True Jesus Church. It is a fascinating read; her writing sparkles, drawing the reader along effortlessly as she traces with vivid clarity the events and pressures-within China and beyond-that gave rise to the True Jesus Church. She highlights the connections between her Chinese story and 'global Christian restoration movements' since the 18th century, including the early Mormons and American Pentecostalism, among others. This makes the book profitable reading for every student of modern religion, in China or elsewhere."--Ryan Dunch, Professor of History and Classics and Director of the Program in Religious Studies, University of Alberta, "This is a brilliant combination of thorough archival research and meticulous qualitative field work in China, resulting in one of the finest studies on Christianity in China in the English language that I have ever seen. The author's sympathetic insight into one of the most significant of the Chinese independent churches is unparalleled and will remain a benchmark for such studies for years to come."--Allan H. Anderson, Professor of Mission and Pentecostal Studies, University of Birmingham "The True Jesus Church seems like a bundle of contradictions: nationalist yet universalist; charismatic yet highly institutionalized; cooperating with the state yet rejecting secular powers; world rejecting yet this-worldly. In Inouye's expert hands this complex group becomes less paradoxical and her insightful analysis clarifies our understandings of gender and modernity in China, relations between religions and the state there, and even the nature of authority itself."--Robert P. Weller, Professor of Anthropology and Director of Graduate Studies, Boston University "Melissa Inouye has written the first full-length study in English of one of the most important strands within indigenous Chinese Protestant Christianity, the True Jesus Church. It is a fascinating read; her writing sparkles, drawing the reader along effortlessly as she traces with vivid clarity the events and pressures-within China and beyond-that gave rise to the True Jesus Church. She highlights the connections between her Chinese story and "global Christian restoration movements" since the 18th century, including the early Mormons and American Pentecostalism, among others. This makes the book profitable reading for every student of modern religion, in China or elsewhere."--Ryan Dunch, Professor of History and Classics and Director of the Program in Religious Studies, University of Alberta, "China and the True Jesus provides the reader with an insightful platform from which to view the tumult of modern Chinese history from below. This book is essential reading for any scholar of Christianity in China and anyone interested in exploring the relationship between charisma and power." -- Alex Mayfield, Pneuma "This volume is an exemplary work of religious history, in which Inouye combines archival research and fieldwork among current believers, balanced with just the right amount of theory to show how this singular story might relate to other religions in terms of charisma vs. organization, the social and economic roots of spiritual receptivity, the intersection of the mundane and the miraculous, church and state relations, the language of moral discourse, etc. Inouye has mastered the delicate art of writing about other people's religious beliefs and experiences with sensitivity, compassion, and insight. In addition,ÂChina and the True JesusÂis a terrific introduction to the sweep of modern Chinese history" -- Grant Hardy, By Common Consent "This is a brilliant combination of thorough archival research and meticulous qualitative field work in China, resulting in one of the finest studies on Christianity in China in the English language that I have ever seen. The author's sympathetic insight into one of the most significant of the Chinese independent churches is unparalleled and will remain a benchmark for such studies for years to come."--Allan H. Anderson, Professor of Mission and Pentecostal Studies, University of Birmingham "The True Jesus Church seems like a bundle of contradictions: nationalist yet universalist; charismatic yet highly institutionalized; cooperating with the state yet rejecting secular powers; world rejecting yet this-worldly. In Inouye's expert hands this complex group becomes less paradoxical and her insightful analysis clarifies our understandings of gender and modernity in China, relations between religions and the state there, and even the nature of authority itself."--Robert P. Weller, Professor of Anthropology and Director of Graduate Studies, Boston University "Melissa Inouye has written the first full-length study in English of one of the most important strands within indigenous Chinese Protestant Christianity, the True Jesus Church. It is a fascinating read; her writing sparkles, drawing the reader along effortlessly as she traces with vivid clarity the events and pressures-within China and beyond-that gave rise to the True Jesus Church. She highlights the connections between her Chinese story and 'global Christian restoration movements' since the 18th century, including the early Mormons and American Pentecostalism, among others. This makes the book profitable reading for every student of modern religion, in China or elsewhere."--Ryan Dunch, Professor of History and Classics and Director of the Program in Religious Studies, University of Alberta, "[T]his is an important study and deserves to be read by anyone hoping to enjoy a compelling and contextualized narrative about a unique religious group." -- Chris White, Purdue University, Journal of Chinese Religions "With the archival experience of a historian and the descriptive pen of an ethnographer, Melissa Wei-Tsing Inouye masterfully situates the history of the True Jesus Church in the broader context of twentieth-century China in her new book China and the True Jesus" -- Journal of Chinese Religions "China and the True Jesus provides the reader with an insightful platform from which to view the tumult of modern Chinese history from below. This book is essential reading for any scholar of Christianity in China and anyone interested in exploring the relationship between charisma and power." -- Alex Mayfield, Pneuma "This volume is an exemplary work of religious history, in which Inouye combines archival research and fieldwork among current believers, balanced with just the right amount of theory to show how this singular story might relate to other religions in terms of charisma vs. organization, the social and economic roots of spiritual receptivity, the intersection of the mundane and the miraculous, church and state relations, the language of moral discourse, etc. Inouye has mastered the delicate art of writing about other people's religious beliefs and experiences with sensitivity, compassion, and insight. In addition,China and the True Jesusis a terrific introduction to the sweep of modern Chinese history" -- Grant Hardy, By Common Consent "This is a brilliant combination of thorough archival research and meticulous qualitative field work in China, resulting in one of the finest studies on Christianity in China in the English language that I have ever seen. The author's sympathetic insight into one of the most significant of the Chinese independent churches is unparalleled and will remain a benchmark for such studies for years to come."--Allan H. Anderson, Professor of Mission and Pentecostal Studies, University of Birmingham "The True Jesus Church seems like a bundle of contradictions: nationalist yet universalist; charismatic yet highly institutionalized; cooperating with the state yet rejecting secular powers; world rejecting yet this-worldly. In Inouye's expert hands this complex group becomes less paradoxical and her insightful analysis clarifies our understandings of gender and modernity in China, relations between religions and the state there, and even the nature of authority itself."--Robert P. Weller, Professor of Anthropology and Director of Graduate Studies, Boston University "Melissa Inouye has written the first full-length study in English of one of the most important strands within indigenous Chinese Protestant Christianity, the True Jesus Church. It is a fascinating read; her writing sparkles, drawing the reader along effortlessly as she traces with vivid clarity the events and pressures-within China and beyond-that gave rise to the True Jesus Church. She highlights the connections between her Chinese story and 'global Christian restoration movements' since the 18th century, including the early Mormons and American Pentecostalism, among others. This makes the book profitable reading for every student of modern religion, in China or elsewhere."--Ryan Dunch, Professor of History and Classics and Director of the Program in Religious Studies, University of Alberta, "With the archival experience of a historian and the descriptive pen of an ethnographer, Melissa Wei-Tsing Inouye masterfully situates the history of the True Jesus Church in the broader context of twentieth-century China in her new book China and the True Jesus" -- Journal of Chinese Religions "China and the True Jesus provides the reader with an insightful platform from which to view the tumult of modern Chinese history from below. This book is essential reading for any scholar of Christianity in China and anyone interested in exploring the relationship between charisma and power." -- Alex Mayfield, Pneuma "This volume is an exemplary work of religious history, in which Inouye combines archival research and fieldwork among current believers, balanced with just the right amount of theory to show how this singular story might relate to other religions in terms of charisma vs. organization, the social and economic roots of spiritual receptivity, the intersection of the mundane and the miraculous, church and state relations, the language of moral discourse, etc. Inouye has mastered the delicate art of writing about other people's religious beliefs and experiences with sensitivity, compassion, and insight. In addition,China and the True Jesusis a terrific introduction to the sweep of modern Chinese history" -- Grant Hardy, By Common Consent "This is a brilliant combination of thorough archival research and meticulous qualitative field work in China, resulting in one of the finest studies on Christianity in China in the English language that I have ever seen. The author's sympathetic insight into one of the most significant of the Chinese independent churches is unparalleled and will remain a benchmark for such studies for years to come."--Allan H. Anderson, Professor of Mission and Pentecostal Studies, University of Birmingham "The True Jesus Church seems like a bundle of contradictions: nationalist yet universalist; charismatic yet highly institutionalized; cooperating with the state yet rejecting secular powers; world rejecting yet this-worldly. In Inouye's expert hands this complex group becomes less paradoxical and her insightful analysis clarifies our understandings of gender and modernity in China, relations between religions and the state there, and even the nature of authority itself."--Robert P. Weller, Professor of Anthropology and Director of Graduate Studies, Boston University "Melissa Inouye has written the first full-length study in English of one of the most important strands within indigenous Chinese Protestant Christianity, the True Jesus Church. It is a fascinating read; her writing sparkles, drawing the reader along effortlessly as she traces with vivid clarity the events and pressures-within China and beyond-that gave rise to the True Jesus Church. She highlights the connections between her Chinese story and 'global Christian restoration movements' since the 18th century, including the early Mormons and American Pentecostalism, among others. This makes the book profitable reading for every student of modern religion, in China or elsewhere."--Ryan Dunch, Professor of History and Classics and Director of the Program in Religious Studies, University of Alberta, "This book is essential reading for any scholar of Christianity in China and anyone interested in exploring the relationship between charisma and power." -- Alex Mayfield, Boston University, Pneuma "[T]his is an important study and deserves to be read by anyone hoping to enjoy a compelling and contextualized narrative about a unique religious group." -- Chris White, Purdue University, Journal of Chinese Religions "With the archival experience of a historian and the descriptive pen of an ethnographer, Melissa Wei-Tsing Inouye masterfully situates the history of the True Jesus Church in the broader context of twentieth-century China in her new book China and the True Jesus" -- Journal of Chinese Religions "China and the True Jesus provides the reader with an insightful platform from which to view the tumult of modern Chinese history from below. This book is essential reading for any scholar of Christianity in China and anyone interested in exploring the relationship between charisma and power." -- Alex Mayfield, Pneuma "This volume is an exemplary work of religious history, in which Inouye combines archival research and fieldwork among current believers, balanced with just the right amount of theory to show how this singular story might relate to other religions in terms of charisma vs. organization, the social and economic roots of spiritual receptivity, the intersection of the mundane and the miraculous, church and state relations, the language of moral discourse, etc. Inouye has mastered the delicate art of writing about other people's religious beliefs and experiences with sensitivity, compassion, and insight. In addition,China and the True Jesusis a terrific introduction to the sweep of modern Chinese history" -- Grant Hardy, By Common Consent "This is a brilliant combination of thorough archival research and meticulous qualitative field work in China, resulting in one of the finest studies on Christianity in China in the English language that I have ever seen. The author's sympathetic insight into one of the most significant of the Chinese independent churches is unparalleled and will remain a benchmark for such studies for years to come."--Allan H. Anderson, Professor of Mission and Pentecostal Studies, University of Birmingham "The True Jesus Church seems like a bundle of contradictions: nationalist yet universalist; charismatic yet highly institutionalized; cooperating with the state yet rejecting secular powers; world rejecting yet this-worldly. In Inouye's expert hands this complex group becomes less paradoxical and her insightful analysis clarifies our understandings of gender and modernity in China, relations between religions and the state there, and even the nature of authority itself."--Robert P. Weller, Professor of Anthropology and Director of Graduate Studies, Boston University "Melissa Inouye has written the first full-length study in English of one of the most important strands within indigenous Chinese Protestant Christianity, the True Jesus Church. It is a fascinating read; her writing sparkles, drawing the reader along effortlessly as she traces with vivid clarity the events and pressures-within China and beyond-that gave rise to the True Jesus Church. She highlights the connections between her Chinese story and 'global Christian restoration movements' since the 18th century, including the early Mormons and American Pentecostalism, among others. This makes the book profitable reading for every student of modern religion, in China or elsewhere."--Ryan Dunch, Professor of History and Classics and Director of the Program in Religious Studies, University of Alberta, "This volume is an exemplary work of religious history, in which Inouye combines archival research and fieldwork among current believers, balanced with just the right amount of theory to show how this singular story might relate to other religions in terms of charisma vs. organization, the social and economic roots of spiritual receptivity, the intersection of the mundane and the miraculous, church and state relations, the language of moral discourse, etc. Inouye has mastered the delicate art of writing about other people's religious beliefs and experiences with sensitivity, compassion, and insight. In addition,China and the True Jesusis a terrific introduction to the sweep of modern Chinese history" -- Grant Hardy, By Common Consent "This is a brilliant combination of thorough archival research and meticulous qualitative field work in China, resulting in one of the finest studies on Christianity in China in the English language that I have ever seen. The author's sympathetic insight into one of the most significant of the Chinese independent churches is unparalleled and will remain a benchmark for such studies for years to come."--Allan H. Anderson, Professor of Mission and Pentecostal Studies, University of Birmingham "The True Jesus Church seems like a bundle of contradictions: nationalist yet universalist; charismatic yet highly institutionalized; cooperating with the state yet rejecting secular powers; world rejecting yet this-worldly. In Inouye's expert hands this complex group becomes less paradoxical and her insightful analysis clarifies our understandings of gender and modernity in China, relations between religions and the state there, and even the nature of authority itself."--Robert P. Weller, Professor of Anthropology and Director of Graduate Studies, Boston University "Melissa Inouye has written the first full-length study in English of one of the most important strands within indigenous Chinese Protestant Christianity, the True Jesus Church. It is a fascinating read; her writing sparkles, drawing the reader along effortlessly as she traces with vivid clarity the events and pressures-within China and beyond-that gave rise to the True Jesus Church. She highlights the connections between her Chinese story and 'global Christian restoration movements' since the 18th century, including the early Mormons and American Pentecostalism, among others. This makes the book profitable reading for every student of modern religion, in China or elsewhere."--Ryan Dunch, Professor of History and Classics and Director of the Program in Religious Studies, University of Alberta

IllustratedYes

Table Of ContentAcknowledgementsAbbreviationsChronologyIntroduction 1 - Missionaries in the Manchu City 2 - A Smaller, Bigger World 3 - The First and Last Day 4 - The Three Lives of Deaconess Yang 5 - Four Governments in China 6 - Saving Comrade Stalin's Soul 7 - The Handwritten Hymnbook 8 - Don't Be Like the Gentiles 9 - The Parable of the Cursed Chicken Conclusion Bibliography Notes Index

SynopsisIn 1917, the Beijing silk merchant Wei Enbo's vision of Jesus sparked a religious revival, characterized by healings, exorcisms, tongues-speaking, and, most provocatively, a call for a return to authentic Christianity that challenged the Western missionary establishment in China. This revival gave rise to the True Jesus Church, China's first major native denomination. The church was one of the earliest Chinese expressions of the twentieth century charismatic and Pentecostal tradition which is now the dominant mode of twenty-first century Chinese Christianity. To understand the faith of millions of Chinese Christians today, we must understand how this particular form of Chinese community took root and flourished even throughout the wrenching changes and dislocations of the past century. The church's history links together key themes in modern Chinese social history, such as longstanding cultural exchange between China and the West, imperialism and globalization, game-changing advances in transport and communications technology, and the relationship between religious movements and the state in the late Qing (circa 1850-1911), Republican (1912-1949), and Communist (1950-present-day) eras. Vivid storytelling highlights shifts and tensions within Chinese society on a human scale. How did mounting foreign incursions and domestic crises pave the way for Wei Enbo, a rural farmhand, to become a wealthy merchant in the early 1900s? Why did women in the 1920s and 30s, such as an orphaned girl named Yang Zhendao, devote themselves so wholeheartedly to a patriarchal religious system? What kinds of pressures induced church leaders in a meeting in the 1950s to agree that "Comrade Stalin" had saved many more people than Jesus? This book tells the striking but also familiar tale of the promise and peril attending the collective pursuit of the extraordinary-how individuals within the True Jesus Church in China over the past century have sought to muster divine and human resources to transform their world., In 1917, the Beijing silk merchant Wei Enbo's vision of Jesus sparked a religious revival, characterized by healings, exorcisms, tongues-speaking, and, most provocatively, a call for a return to authentic Christianity that challenged the Western missionary establishment in China. This revival gave rise to the True Jesus Church, China's first major native denomination. The church was one of the earliest Chinese expressions of the twentieth century charismatic and Pentecostal tradition which is now the dominant mode of twenty-first century Chinese Christianity. To understand the faith of millions of Chinese Christians today, we must understand how this particular form of Chinese community took root and flourished even throughout the wrenching changes and dislocations of the past century.The church's history links together key themes in modern Chinese social history, such as longstanding cultural exchange between China and the West, imperialism and globalization, game-changing advances in transport and communications technology, and the relationship between religious movements and the state in the late Qing (circa 1850-1911), Republican (1912-1949), and Communist (1950-present-day) eras. Vivid storytelling highlights shifts and tensions within Chinese society on a human scale. How did mounting foreign incursions and domestic crises pave the way for Wei Enbo, a rural farmhand, to become a wealthy merchant in the early 1900s? Why did women in the 1920s and 30s, such as an orphaned girl named Yang Zhendao, devote themselves so wholeheartedly to a patriarchal religious system? What kinds of pressures induced church leaders in a meeting in the 1950s to agree that "Comrade Stalin" had saved many more people than Jesus? This book tells the striking but also familiar tale of the promise and peril attending the collective pursuit of the extraordinary-how individuals within the True Jesus Church in China over the past century have sought to muster divine and human resources to transform their world., The True Jesus Church was China's first major native Christian denomination and one of the earliest expressions of the charismatic and Pentecostal tradition that now dominates Chinese Christianity. Founded in 1917, after a silk merchant had a vision of Jesus, the Church was characterized by dramatic healings, exorcisms, tongues-speaking, and a call for a return to authentic Christianity that challenged the Western missionary establishment in China. In this history of the True Jesus Church, Melissa Wei-Tsing Inouye links together key themes from modern Chinese social history to tell the story of how members of the True Jesus Church in China over the past century have sought to muster divine and human resources to transform their world.

LC Classification NumberBR1644.5