From August 8 to 10, 2023, CCC&TSPM held a training for seminary teachers of Biblical Studies in Lijiang, Yunnan Province. It was attended by nearly 100 teachers from seminaries all over the country.

On the morning of August 8, Rev. Wu Wei, President of CCC, Rev. Kan Baoping, residential Vice Chairperson of National TSPM, Rev. Dr. Lin Manhong, residential Associate General Secretary of CCC, and Rev. Deng Jianwei, President of Yunnan CC, participated in the opening ceremony.

In his speech, Rev. Wu Wei said that the focus of the Chinanization of the Christian Church in China lies in the Chinanization of theological thinking. Practical efforts should be made, not only to strengthen theological thinking among pastoral staff, but also to guide all believers through the interpretation of faith.

Afterwards, Ms. Gao Zhiying, distinguished professor of Yunnan University, “Yunling Scholar” in Yunnan Province and chief expert of the National Social Science Research on Christianity, gave a lecture. Prof. Gao Zhiying interpreted the Chinanization of religions in different aspects based upon her experience of field research.

On the afternoon of August 8, Rev. Kan Baoping gave a presentation on Introduction to the New Testament. As a part of the important ministry of CCC&TSPM to compile teaching materials for seminaries initiated at the end of 2010, this book is one of the first batch of teaching materials under the preparation plan, which was completed at the end of 2022. The book contains the historical and cultural context of the New Testament, the establishment of the New Testament canon, an overview of the Gospels, the outline and main content of each book, background information, and theological themes. Representatives of the editorial team, Ms. Yu Yin, Ms. Xue Jing, and Ms. Qiu Dan, shared their personal experiences of participating in the writing and finalizing of the manuscript.

On the morning of August 9, Liu Wei, associate professor of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, lectured on the New Testament Studies and the Chinanization of the Christian Church in China and introduced the seminary’s Chinanized academic traditions in biblical teaching and research. The Chinanization of the biblical academic traditions aims to make the Chinese church a force for “reconciliation” and “covenant” in the Chinese society and the ecumenical church. It contributes to fostering a theology that emphasizes the unity of all nations. The study of the New Testament also can play an important part in facilitating Bible translation and revision for Chinese churches.

Dr. Huang Tianhua from Guangdong Union Theological Seminary delivered a lecture entitled Old Testament Studies and the Chinanization of the Christian Church in China. On the afternoon of August 9, Prof. Zhang Lue, a doctoral supervisor of Nanjing Union Theological Seminary, gave a lecture on The Latest Trends in Today’s New Testament Studies. On the morning of August 10, Dr. Zhang Xinyu, director of the Theological Research Office of Fujian Theological Seminary, gave a lecture on The Latest Trends in Today’s Old Testament Studies.

Rev. Shan Weixiang, Vice President and General Secretary of CCC, moderated the closing ceremony.

Translated and edited  by Bei Feng, Xiao Tang.