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Originally posted by Rick Larson
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Even more significant is a steadily growing network of underground or "house" churches, which are said to have up to 100 million members.
| Does anyone know what kind of theology these "house" churches embrace?
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Lots are rather charismatic although don't let the associations with that word put you off instantly. They are in particular not like many modern charismatic churches in the west because they are 1) pushed to actually think about what they believe due to persecution 2) due to a 'do or die' attitude (can't think of a better way of explaining it) they are certainly not dripped with the apathy and many other practicle problems the modern church happens. There are also some reasonably Calvinist churches (They at least hold similar views to the DoG).
Due to 1000% growth in some areas over a number of decades there is also a problem of having people with much Biblical knowledge. Many pastors are trained more by beatings, jail and harsh punishment that actual Biblical knowledge - Bibles are just hard to find.
You could almost understand the 'charismatic' movement there (charismatic mostly only in the way they think of gifts) because they have no other way of revelation when Bibles and Bible knowledge is so rare. From the Chinese I know they at least use it more Biblicaly than all charismatics I know (ie. they actually test things, pray in groups etc...)
I also know that many Christians over there pray for the Communist party to remain because the persecution keeps the Church strong. The last thing we want is an apathetic church of a 100 million with no sound knowledge of scripture.
I am not the biggest authority on the matter though.