Who is Watchmen Nee?

Answer 1

Watchman Nee, (1903-1972) whose real name was Nee Tao Shu, was a leader in the indigenous house church movement in China. He was converted in 1920 when a college student in Foochow, through the visit of a native Chinese evangelist. He then gave up the opportunity to attend university and devoted himself to Bible study and preaching.

Nee wrote a number of well-known books, which have been reprinted in English in recent years such as 'The Normal Christian Life,' 'Sit, Walk, Stand', 'Spiritual Knowledge', 'Changed Into His Likeness', "Love Not The World', 'What Shall This Man Do', and 'A Living Sacrifice'. His biography was written by Angus Kinnear. Many, if not most of these works are still in print, as they are profitable for Christians in China and elsewhere even today.

He was known as an original expositor of the word of God his establishment of many house churches independent of any foreign influence and church organization is a significant factor in the current flourishing house church movement.

One of the allegations of the Communists against Chinese Christians has been that they are following the God of the westerners. The thoroughly Chinese nature of the churches which Nee and his fellow workers helped to establish serve as both a corrective to this and a demonstration that the Gospel of Jesus Christ knows no boundaries of 'race' or nationality.

Nee was eventually imprisoned by the Communists on false charges and served his 15 year prison term. Although he was due for release, he was kept in prison where he died.

Sources: Watchman Nee: The Normal Christian Life,Kingsway, Eastbourne, 1979. Preface page vii.

J.D. Douglas: Who's Who In Christian History,Tyndale, Wheaton, 1992. p501.