We’re revisiting this book review more than 25 years after the beginning of the new century to see what we can learn in hindsight. Noted historian on the subject of World Christianity, Scott Sunquist has given us another outstanding volume. He possesses both a wide knowledge of the Christian movement’s history as a whole and a comprehensive grasp of Christian missions in all its dimensions.

“Turn Yourself to me, and have mercy on me, for I am desolate [lonely] and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses! Look on my affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins. Consider my enemies, for they are many, and they hate me with cruel hatred” (Psalm 25:16-19). 

In her epilogue, the author writes, “The main purpose for writing this book was to get to know a man—an ordinary man who nevertheless magnified the grace of God…. Another purpose … was to record the history of a crucial period in the development of the history of the Church in China.” In my opinion, she succeeded in both purposes.

“Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy [lovingkindness, steadfast love] endures forever” (Psalm 107:1). 

This volume contains papers written by Peter Ng over a period of fifteen years, presented in chronological order of publication with the purpose of illustrating his own intellectual journey, especially regarding the concept of Chinese indigenous Christianity, and the re-discovery of local Christianities and the Chinese side of the story. His goal is to elaborate on the theme of a new understanding of Chinese Christianity from a global-local perspective.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. You are good, and do good; teach me Your statutes. . . It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes” (Psalm 119:67-68, 71).