Legacy of Lit-Sen Chang

Excerpt from China Horizon (http://www.chinahorizon.org)

Dr. Lit-Sen Chang, Chinese apologist and theologian and scholar in Far Eastern philosophy, gave his life to the exposition and defense of the historic Christian faith. He was born in 1904 in China. From a young age he received a thorough education in the Confucian classics. As he witness his country on the verge of extinction, he cried out for national salvation through individual endeavor. He became a prolific writer.

Dr. Chang graduated from Fu Tan University, Shanghai, and at age 21 became a university professor in Peking. He studied law at the Sorbonne and traveled to the universities of Europe in search of China's national salvation. He returned to China at 26, and was appointed professor at several leading universities. When Japan invaded China in 1937, Dr. Chang was recruited to important positions in the Nationalist Party, the National Government and the Supreme National Defense Council. After China's victory in 1945, he won a seat to the Parliament of the Republic of China. Confronted by complex social ills in China, Dr. Change realized that the way to peace and national strength lay in the human heart. He immersed himself in Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. He felt called to regenerate Chinese culture and the religions of the East. He planned to visit India and strategize with scholars there to revive the traditional religions of Asia. At that point he heard the gospel, repented of his sin and committed his life to Jesus Christ. He gave up all his ambitions and studied at Gordon Divinity School. He was 53 by that time. He graduated summa cum laude, and served as professor of missions for many years. He was honored with Doctor of Literature degree from Wheaton College, and as "Distinguished Lecturer in Missions Emeritu" by Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.

God Called Dr. Chang to the propagation of the Christian faith through literature. He wrote day and night in order to "give the reason for the hope" within us, and to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints". Dr. Chang boldly proclaimed the infinite God of the Bible, and critiqued humanistic thinking East and West. He lived a simple and diligent life, tirelessly writing with no regard for return or reward. His works in Chinese and English totaled over eighty volumes. His mature thought is seen in the four-volume Apologetics and the eight-volume Systematic Theology. These are not only valued for their scholarship, but form a unique treasure for the Body of Christ, as they edify the reader's heart and inform the mind.

Comments

Dave said…
The Power of a Moment (Chris Rice)

What am I gonna be when I grow up?
How am I gonna make my mark in history?
And what are they gonna write about me when I’m gone?
These are the questions that shape the way I think about whatmatters
But I have no guarantee of my next heartbeat
And my world’s too big to make a name for myself
And what if no one wants to read about me when I’m gone?
Seems to me that right now’s the only moment that matters

You know the number of my days
So come paint Your pictures on the canvas in my head
And come write Your wisdom on my heart
And teach me the power of a moment
The power of a moment, the power of a moment
In Your kingdom where the least is greatest
The weak are given strength and fools confound the wise

And forever brushes up against a moment’s time
Leaving impressions and drawing me into what really matters
You know the number of my days
So come paint Your pictures on the canvas in my head
And come write Your wisdom on my heart
And teach me the power of a moment
The power of a moment, the power of a moment

I get so distracted by my bigger schemes
Show me the importance of the simple things
Like a word, a seed, a thorn, a nail
And a cup of cold water

You know the number of my days
So come paint Your pictures on the canvas in my head
And come write Your wisdom on my heart
And teach me the power of a moment
The power of a moment, the power of, the power of, the power of a moment.