Explaining the Trinity on YouTube: a content analysis of Chinese-language Christian videos in an international digital media platform

Background – Digital media platforms have become important venues for religious communication, including the explanation of complex theological doctrines. Among these platforms, YouTube hosts a growing body of Chinese-language Christian content. Objective – This study explores how the Christian doctrine of the Trinity is explained, supported, or contested in Chinese-language YouTube videos, focusing on communicative strategies, speaker identities, and theological positioning within this platform-specific digital environment. Methods – Using the search term 三位一體 (“Trinity”), videos under 20 min with relevant religious titles were identified by view count and screened until 50 met inclusion criteria. Each was assessed for speaker identity, stance, historical references, theological clarifications, conceptual analogies, biblical citations, and viewer engagement. Results – Supportive and non-supportive videos showed no significant differences in views, likes, or comments. Clergy and Christian speakers predominantly endorsed the Trinity. The First Council of Nicaea and the Nicene Creed were the most cited historical references. Common analogies included water/ice/steam and sun/light/heat, while frequently referenced scriptures were Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Genesis 1:26, and John 10:30. Conclusion – The findings illustrate how the doctrine of the Trinity is mediated and translated into accessible forms within Chinese-language Christian videos on YouTube, a transnational digital space with religious contents posted. The study does not claim representativeness of Chinese Christianity as a whole, but instead offers an exploratory account of how theology is communicated in this specific digital context.