Jesus said to Pilate: “For this reason I was born and came into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37).
After his resurrection, he commissioned his disciples with these words: “As the Father has sent Me, even so I send you” (John 20:21), and “You shall be witnesses to Me . . . to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Those who want to follow Jesus have a clear mission in life: To bear witness to the truth as it is revealed in Jesus through the Scriptures.
CI and GCC
All those connected with China Institute and Global China Center are engaged in this task in various ways.
Three associates teach in universities; one lectures on theology and the Bible in churches and seminaries (virtually); six have contributed books or chapters to the Studies in Chinese Christianity series published by Wipf & Stock (Wipf and Stock Publishers); five have written stories for the online Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity (bdcconline.net); two serve as pastors, one as an elder, and another on the chaplain’s staff of a Christian college in Taiwan.
Each one is involved in local church and in personal evangelism and discipleship. Our editorial assistants play an essential role also.
Broadly speaking, we are all trying to testify to the truth of God’s Word as revealed in Scripture, and the true story of God’s dealings with the Chinese over the past two centuries, up to now.
Personal Goals for the Next 6 Months
As you know, I seek to testify to Christ in four ways: Prayer; Publications (both online and in print); Proclamation; and Personal relations with a few people. Dori joins me in prayer and keeps up with a few women.
In this letter, I will outline what I hope to do the next few months, in two areas: Publications and Proclamation.
Publications
Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity
It takes me from one week to one month to research and write a substantial story. My goal is to produce accurate, even authoritative, brief biographies of foreign missionaries and Chinese Christians.
God enabled me to write two stories in January. Between now and the end of June, I would like to contribute at least six entries.
Book reviews
Though I find these very hard and tiring to compose, I believe that fair, balanced, and critical reviews of books having to do with Christianity in China, including the missionary movement, help both Chinese and Western readers to understand what God has done.
My desire is to contribute at least six reviews in the next five months.
Studies in Chinese Christianity
Dr. Carol Lee Hamrin and I serve as co-editors of this unique collection of books about the growth and current condition of Christianity in China.
To date, twenty volumes have been published, and all have received critical appreciation.
Since so many titles have come out in the past couple of years, I have decided to spend at least the first part of this year writing reviews of the more recent additions and promoting the series as a whole.
Truth and Life: Doctrinal and Ethical Notes on the Bible (Old Testament and New Testament)
For several years, I have been working on a theological and ethical commentary on the Bible. I am currently writing on John’s Gospel. For access to notes that have already been posted, go to Books and scroll down to the bottom.
Academic articles
From time to time, as God leads, I write articles on various topics in the areas of theology and Christianity in China. I want to write one on Carl Henry’s theology of language, and I have begun a series on “Confucius through Christian Eyes,” but am not sure when I’ll write other articles on these topics.
For previously posted articles, go to Wright Doyle - Academia.edu.
Proclamation
Though I invest most of my time and energy on writing, I sometimes accept invitations to speak or give lectures. Currently, I am scheduled to give a workshop at the Chinese Christian Lynchburg Conference at the end of May.
In addition, I’ll be preparing for a lecture next fall for the China Academic Consortium.
Please pray that God will give wisdom, strength, and discipline to all CI and GCC associates and assistants. We can’t bear effective witness to the truth without the work of the Spirit of Truth in us and in our readers and listeners.