“Watchman Nee’s spiritual theology is a masterpiece of indigenous Chinese theology as well as a great contribution to evangelical theology universally.”
Watchman Nee’s spiritual theology is a masterpiece of indigenous Chinese theology as well as a great contribution to evangelical theology universally. Watchman Nee had a very deep understanding concerning the riches of the life of Christ, the revelation in and enlightenment from God’s Word, the distinction between God’s revelation and man’s reasoning, the ruling of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s living, the necessity of the breaking of the life of the self, and the believers’ life of fellowship in the church; he also had a practical way to apply them.
Even though Watchman Nee’s view of trichotomy may not seem to have sufficient basis in ontology, contemporary biblical research is able to support the view that in man’s inclination and function there are three parts: spirit, soul, and body, and the experiences of the saints throughout the generations also match this view. Furthermore, Watchman Nee’s view with regard to the distinction between the functions of the spirit and the mind not only corresponds to the Bible but is also in accordance with the understanding of many important figures in the history of Christian spirituality.
Watchman Nee’s spiritual theology is a great treasure to Chinese theology. It awaits our further mining and practical application to the life and living of today’s believers and the churches.