Reconstruction and Practice of Indigenization Theology in Taiwan: A Case of Chow Lien-hwa (1920- )

Reconstruction and Practice of Indigenization Theology in Taiwan:
A Case of Chow Lien-hwa (1920- )

WU Chang-shing

This paper presents a set of observation on how Rev. Chow Lien-hwa integrates patriotism, pacifism and Chinese culture with his Christian faith and indigenous theology. In many respects, Xu Baoqian (1892-1944) was Chow's spiritual mentor and guided Chow to shape his Christian identity in a Chinese context. Chow received his theological training in the United States from 1949 to 1954. However, he kept his Chinese identity and resisted being westernized completely. Having been concerned about his Chinese compatriots, he considered how to steer his countrymen from rejecting Christianity to accepting the faith. He engaged in building indigenization theology as a bridge for the gospel and as a tool for theological reflection.

Christ and the Bible are the central points of Chow's indigenous theology. He thinks that a truly Chinese theology must be achieved in the local populace. Chow's specific actions and practices have three dimensions. Firstly, he implements indigenization theology in Church liturgy and worship, Church architecture, wedding and funeral etiquette, preaching, etc. In doing so, he attempts to embody Chinese characteristics in Chinese churches. Secondly, he has written 7 volumes of systematic theology for Chinese people. In addition, he edited 42 volumes of Chinese biblical commentary which were all written by Chinese scholars. Finally, for the purpose of translating a legible and explicit Chinese version of the Bible for the young and old, he committed his life to the task of translation in the Bible Society in Taiwan.