Jesus in Beijing

In this book, David Aikman as a journalist and policy consultant was also a commentator and freelance writer. He was a Time Magazine correspondent in the 1970s. His book, Jesus in Beijing, introduces the reader to the changing of society and culture in China due to Chinese Christianity. Around 1998, his relationship with the church became very earnest as he grew intrigued on the topic of Chinese Christianity. Aikman then elaborates on his various travels to China as well as give background information on the influence of Chinese Christianity, and the involvement of the church. He gives his input on the Chinese church movement and its leaders. During the Cultural Revolution in the 1970s, the older generation of male leaders of the Chinese Christians was the brave defenders of their faith. Before communism swept the land, they rose up to fight for their faith. They have been so influential that the youth of the congregation shows the same dedication and zeal for their faith while upholding the relationship within the underground organization. The younger generation showed a wide variety of understanding of their religion. Before the Cultural Revolution, the attempts to stifle the efforts of the Chinese Christians just seemed to cause them to become even more determined to fight for their right to practice their theology. Aikman makes it seem as if the Chinese Christians are of the oppressed people because of their beliefs. He often glorifies the actions of the members, with little mentioning of the brute force used.

Throughout the book, Aikman puts an emphasis and commends China on its increasing growth in the Christian community despite militant communism. He continues to discuss the structures of the positions within the clandes...

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...iew religion and how to use it. They have definitely made it more community oriented on a larger, more influential scale. However, the general direction of the book did not seem straight forward and had much unwanted detail. I appreciate the general layout but some examples were better left as are instead adding copious amounts of supporting detail. It generally got me very confused when trying to understand the topic. Aikman writes in a sense that makes me perceive China to have this notion to want to be the best, using religion as a tool. Aikman seems to have a positive outlook on the development of Christianity in China. Though he may know the struggles that are experience, he may not see how other people in the world perceive it. The Islamic nation must feel threatened by such forceful missionary work. I would be afraid that they do not take no for an answer.