Emerging urban churches in Shanghai: the development of non-official protestant Christianity in China since 1978

Zheng, Mali (2022). Emerging urban churches in Shanghai: the development of non-official protestant Christianity in China since 1978. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis studies the non-official urban churches of intellectual Christians in Shanghai, which emerged in the past two decades and are called Emerging Urban Churches (EUCs). It addresses the establishment and development of these churches as a result of the Christian revival among well-educated young people in the past three decades. It is based on the seven-stage conversion theory of Lewis Rambo, and individual church members of EUCs are investigated. Each conversion happens in a social context, and is triggered by the crisis; and the last stage of conversion is not commitment, but consequences: living a Christian life in an urban and pluralistic environment.

This thesis provides a vivid and multi-perspective picture of EUCs. At the same time, it points out the challenges faced by them. It argues that although there have been optimistic predictions for the future development of Christianity in China, EUCs face various challenges because of pluralism, the development of cyberspace, the changing political and cultural environment and the institutionalisation of EUCs.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):