Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
Faith and Global Engagement, The University of Hong Kong
​​​​​​​Institute of Sino-Christian Studies, Hong Kong

It has been reported that Chinese societies (including mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore) have high levels of religious diversity. It is imperative to locate Christianity in this diverse religious context in order to reexamine the role of Christianity in Chinese societies. With reference to the ideas of common grace in Christian theologians Abraham Kuyper (Netherlands, 1837—1920) and of religious humility/relativity in Reinhold Niebuhr (USA, 1892—1971), this paper offers a theological and ethical analysis of Christians’ encounter with other believers in social and cultural life in Chinese societies. Many Chinese Christians are wrestled with the issues of “toward the public” and “toward non-Christians.”  Bearding this in mind, this paper proposes that Christians be realistic without imposition of “confessional bonds” for state and society, on the one hand, and Christians appreciate and be open to other believers’ virtues and efforts and thus work together towards progress and flourishing in various spheres of life, on the other.