On June 30, undergrad students of the Zhongnan Theological Seminary defended their graduation theses in an online format from the first floor of the new campus library.
According to CCC&TSPM, the seminary began teaching online classes when the pandemic began.
Following the requirements set for the thesis defense, a committee was organized to oversee the process. Two defenses were held in the morning and in the afternoon.
The teachers pointed out the advantages and disadvantages of each paper. They assessed the thesis title, the arguments given, whether ideas were presented in a logical manner, the citations, survey methods, data analysis and whether the thesis included comments on the Sinicization of Christianity.
Pastor Zhang Shuilian, Deputy Chairman of the Hubei Provincial CC&TSPM, and Executive Deputy Director of the seminary, said in the final remarks that the thesis defense involved biblical theology, practical theology, church history, and systematic theology. Through their depth of thought and discussion of doctrine, communion, worship music, ethics, hospice care, marriage, and family, the culture of traditional Chinese filial piety culture, the Christian values of the graduates were effectively combined with the actual situation of Chinese society and the Chinese church. This provided a theoretical basis in the process of the effective implementation of the "Regulations on Religious Affairs" following students graduation and as preparation for their service in churches.
-Translated by Abigail Wu
