Learning to Be a Good Christian

Abstract

This chapter analyses the processes involved in learning how to be a Christian. Differences in Christian education and learning are premised on a distinction between rural and urban trends. While basically a distinction between countryside and town in Linyi, the rural—urban distinction is also one of attitudes about what is the most acceptable expression of Christianity. Rural ‘spiritual giftedness’ and miracle-based activities and performances provide the mainly illiterate worshippers with an understanding of Christianity, while the urban emphasis on literacy and the Bible as the source of theological learning contrasts with the rural method.