Orthodox theology in the view of Chinese scholars. Book review: Zhang Baichun. Modern orthodox theological thought: Russian orthodox theology. Shanghai: Shanghai Sanyan Bookstore, 2000. 603 p. (Studies in contemporary Christian religion)

The article is a review of the scientific and theological monograph “Modern Orthodox Theological Thought: Russian Orthodox Theology” published by Shanghai Sanliang Bookstore Publishing House as part of the book series “Studies in Contemporary Christian Religion” under the CASS PRC project “Contemporary Christianity and its Development Trends”. Previous studies have been influenced by Euro-American centrism. However, this paper is characterized by a Chinese perspective on the relationship between the world and China. In theoretical terms, it deepens the understanding of the theology and philosophy of world religions, summarizes and draws conclusions about the ideological development of Christian religions; in practical terms, it identifies the role of Christian religions in contemporary world society and culture, and their influence on the development of Chinese society, thus preparing thinking and theory for the challenges of the 21st century. Zhang Baichun emphasizes that there has been no work dedicated to the study of contemporary Russian Orthodox theological thought, either in China, Russia or the West, until 2000. This book is therefore of pioneering significance for the Chinese academy. Indeed, for the past twenty years until 2024, it has been so. It is a work that every Chinese scholar of Orthodox theology and philosophy cannot pass by. It is concluded that in connection with the revival of Orthodoxy in the development of Russian society and the strengthening of its role and influence as a spiritual force of the Russian nation, Russian Orthodox theology is expected to experience various breakthroughs and innovations that will fill with new content and herald new directions in the development of modern Christian theology.