Saints, secrets, and salvation

Starting in 1978, spiritual–religious life in China has manifested a strong and diverse awakening due in large part to the weakening ideological and organizational control of the Communist Party. Christianity has recorded the most dynamic growing number of followers, especially among the mostly autonomous ‘house churches’. ¹ These churches often mix aspects of both Western charismatic revival and Pentecostal movements. Under the influence of folk religion and Protestantism, spiritual–religious groups like ‘Teachings of the Soul’ (Lin glingjiao) or ‘Society of Disciples’ (Mentuhui) have mushroomed within the countryside.