Biography
Wang Mingdao was born in Beijing in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion. He became a Christian as a teenager and later moved from ambitions in politics toward preaching. His ministry emphasised repentance, truthfulness, holiness, and obedience to Scripture. In 1928 he married Liu Jingwen.[1]
An independent Christian leader, Wang opposed joining the government-sponsored Three-Self movement. He was arrested in 1955. Under severe pressure he signed a confession and was released, but later repudiated that statement because he believed it had betrayed his convictions. He returned to prison in 1958.[1]
This part of his history includes fear and failure as well as endurance. It should not be flattened into a story of effortless courage. His wife also suffered imprisonment, and their later Christian witness was shaped by those long years of separation and hardship.[1]
Wang was released near the end of 1979. He and Liu Jingwen lived in Shanghai, where Christians visited their home. He died on 28 July 1991. His life remains significant in the history of the Chinese church as an account of conscience under political pressure and of returning to a conviction after surrendering it.[1]