A Study On Bishop K·H·Ting's Thoughts About An Indigenous Chinese Christianity

Guangxun Ding was born in 1915 in a Christian family in Shanghai.His parents were devout Christians.Affected by them,Guangxun Ding began to work for the students of YMCA after graduation.He served as the Dean of NanJing Union Theological Seminary in 1952,He worked as the Chairman of Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committees of the Protestant and the head of China Christian Council from 1980 to 1996.As the leader of Chinese Christianity,he not only take on the important task of the construction of Chinese Christian church and theology,but also leads the believers to love their country and religion.He was recognized as a famous social activist and Christian theologian the main spokesman and theologian of Christianity in contemporary China.Guangxun Ding 's thought of Chinese Christianity is rooted in the changes of Chinese society.These changes have two interrelated historical periods.The first period began after the founding of New China.At this time,Chinese Christianity was faced with the choice of life and death,the patriotic movement of "three selves"(autonomy,self-support and autobiography)was initiated by Chinese Christians,such as Yaozhong Wu.who aimed at getting rid of the control of Western imperialism and enabled Chinese churches to get the independence and autonomy.Guangxun Ding participated actively in “ the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of Christianity ”and was baptized by its thought.the second period was during the "Cultural Revolution",Chinese Christianity was impacted by the thought of "Left",Religious activities were forced to stop.After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the CPC,China's religious policies were re-implemented,Which made Guangxun Ding realize that “the Three-Self Patriotic Movement” which originated inthe 1950 s had not ended,Chinese Christianity would once again face a new golden period of development.As the leader of Christianity,he had a new understanding of the orientation that religion should accommodate The socialism society.With profound and unique theological views,he advocated the construction of Chinese theological thought.he proposed that Chinese Christian Churches should construct its own theology,Therefore,he led Chinese Christianity to start a new journey to adapt to the socialist society with Chinese characteristics.As a powerful promoter of the Christianity Sinicization,Guangxun Ding believes that the Sinicization of Christianity is not only a intellectual theological thinking,but also a "survival problem" of the Christian Church in China's social,economic,political,cultural and historical situation.Guangxun Ding's understanding of "Christianity in China" is embodied in his love for the country,in his support of the leadership of PLA and socialism,in his understanding of the Bible and God,in his undertaking of social responsibilities,etc.Guangxun Ding believed that "Chinese theology must be based on Chinese culture.Only in the way which is in compliance with socialism can Chinese churches develop healthily and harmoniously." His theological thoughts are in line with the social and cultural context of China and the reality of Chinese spiritual beliefs.Today,Christianity in China is exploring its way forward.Guangxun Ding 's thought of Christianity in China is a precious historical heritage.Summing up this heritage has a very important historical inspiration for us to do a better job in religious work today.