Christianity in Culture

SMSCs are "Scholars in Mainland China Studying Christianity."
CCs are "Culture Christians" - SMSCs who have had some sort of faith experience in Christ as a result of their academic studies. Culture Christians form a very small core of the SMSC population.

The whole CC phenomenon in China is complicated and doesn't parallel the N.American emergent Christianity phenomenon in any way that I can see. Opinions are mixed on whether their presence is a good thing or not. But I think that it has something to say to people in North America seeking Christian alternatives to the regular North American Christian experience, maybe by way of providing a picture of an undesirable extreme.

Typically, "Culture Christians":
- consider themselves connected to God through Christ; (real) Christians
- view the church as it stands as much less than ideal, with weak pastoral activity, irrelevant messages, and virtually nothing spiritually to offer CCs
- see the church, baptism, and the Lord's Supper as historical-social products that are unnecessary for true faith in Christ and in many instances detrimental to faith in Christ (especially the church)
- consider themselves to be "outside and above" the church
- do not associate with any particular church, denomination, or fellowship group
- usually have not been baptized