In this episode, I continue my conversation with Chao Ma, who talks about his research among Chinese American charismatic movements in the Los Angeles area of the USA. Super fun episode! Also a sneak peak to the kinds of research we dabble in at the Centre for the Studies of World Christianity in Edinburgh!
We chat about the varieties and diversity of expressions of Christianity and discuss how charismatic movements are often (mistakenly) understood as cult or heretical due to their divergence. However, Chao points out that these Christian movements must be seen as within the bounds of Christianity and discuss the reasons why he thinks so. In comparison, we also talk about Chao's experience with the cult group known as Eastern Lightning.
We close off exploring the differences between the diverse expressions and practices of Christianities and the pseudo-Christian cult groups such as Eastern Lightning.
Chao points out the historic "three self" principle of Chinese Christianity: self-governing, self-propagating, self-supporting; and suggest that we also remember a fourth principle, namely self-theologising. Thanks Chao for a stimulating and inspiring episode and for sharing some of these exciting stories of local Christianities in China!
Chao Ma's Socials:
Twitter
World Christianity with Chao (a great YouTube channel in which he introduces some in-depth theologies from World Christianity!)
#chinesechristianity #tribaltheology #northeastIndia #worldchristianity #CSWCEdinburgh