The dynamics of contextualized spiritual formation for the educated urban Chinese Christian of Yunnan: A case study.

摘要

The purpose of this dissertation is to gain a greater understanding of the process of Christian spiritual formation in a university-educated, urban Chinese man. The Chinese cultural context is considered to be a factor that influences spiritual formation. Identity formation is understood to be a factor in spiritual formation. This dissertation includes insights from the social sciences that relate to identity formation. The dynamic numerical growth of the Christian church in China is also considered.;It provides suggestions for effective Christian spiritual formation and training which are biblically sound, embrace the work of the Holy Spirit and are responsive to the Chinese cultural context. The framework of spiritual formation includes a discussion of the dynamic of impartational transformation; that is, the process of formation that takes place in the relational context of believers and is the goal of spiritual parenting.;This dissertation shows the findings of qualitative research using a critical case design in conjunction with participant observer findings together with findings from others who are actively engaged in the spiritual formation and training of Chinese students for church leadership and cross cultural ministry. It also considers a biblical model of spiritual formation that examines the pattern of interaction between Jesus in his earthly ministry and his relation to "the Father," Jesus' interaction with his disciples, and patterns in Paul's ministry where he interacts with his converts as spiritual children.