Spurred on by the redemptive emphasis of Christianity, prominent converts in modern China were particularly motivated to work toward improving social outcomes for disenfranchised groups...

Dr. Denise Austin

Denise Austin, “The Impact of Traditional Chinese Religions on the Social Justice Orientations of Chinese Christians”, in Martin Dowson and Stuart Devenish, eds, Religion and Spirituality. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, 2010.

Building on a lifetime’s engagement with Chinese communities both in Australia and overseas, Alphacrucis Academic Director in Queensland, Denise Austin, has contributed to a recent volume exploring the relationship between Christian faith, culture and social justice issues. 

“Both Confucius and Jesus considered love as the foundation for equity and justice in society”, says Dr Austin, “and the way that the two interact in the life worlds of Chinese Christians is significant. People don’t leave their culture at the door when they become Christians, and what we are seeing develop in Asia is a particularly powerful example of redemption and culture working together.”  

The emphasis on moral responsibility in traditional Confucianism, the oneness of the physical and spiritual world in Daoism and the interrelated consequences of all beings in Buddhism all motivate social welfare initiatives to some extent.  However, spurred on by the redemptive emphasis of Christianity, prominent converts in modern China have been particularly motivated to work toward improving social outcomes for disenfranchised groups, such as the advancement of better working conditions for labourers and the expansion of educational opportunities to women and the poor.  Evidence also suggests that the combined influences of Christianity and traditional religious foundations continue to promote the social orientations of Chinese Christians today.

With Asia containing seven out of the world’s ten largest cities and two-thirds of the world’s population, this interaction of faith and culture will have a profound impact on the future of humanity.