Posted on 04/23/2019 5:19:04 AM PDT by vannrox
On the way to a bar at Sanlitun, the most fashionable district of Beijing, a girl dressed up to the nines like she’s about to go clubbing stopped me and asked, “Would you like to hear about Jesus?”
I never expected to hear this in this part of town. Out of bafflement, I refused gently and walked on.
Do I look like someone who needs salvation? In fact, I would like getting to know something about Jesus, but perhaps not from them.
In fact, according to friends around me, most of us have encountered such experiences whether it’s in a mall, on the street or some random party. These “self-claimed” preachers would just bump into you and require your attention to listen to their preaching.
Christianity has at one point been a rather lonely religion in China, when believers gather in rather confined groups. In fact, if questioned by any of my foreign friends, I would say China is more or less a secular country on the whole, with a large population of atheists. According to the White Paper of the religious situation in China, the country now has a Christian population of over 38 million, with around 6 million Catholics, altogether 3.17% of the total population (1.386 billion). However, according to the Guardian, the actual total number might double to 60 million.
Most of the central provinces are still more or less immersed in a Buddhist atmosphere. Almost every geographical region has a famous Buddhist or Taoist mountain. Comparatively, Christian or Catholic churches are not so great in number.
Back in the day, western preachers already found their way to the mysterious oriental land, as early as in Tang Dynasty. Nestorianism (Jing jiao), an early branch of Christianity left its marks in an era of Chinese history, that is most open and receptive towards foreign influences.
In the 29th year of Wanli era, Ming dynasty (1601 A.D.), Italian priest Matteo Ricci and Spaniard Diego de Pantojatraveled all the way from Europe to Beijing, bringing with them the Map of the World, piano and most importantly the Bible as precious presents for the emperor. They also earned their permanent residence in the capital city, which laid an early foundation for the entry of Christianity into China. During that time, Christianity established its limited presence among royal families and intellectual elites.
We also had a rather different “preacher” called Hong Xiuquan from the Qing dynasty. He was a leader of a rebellious army of farmers. After he failed the national selection exam for the fourth time, he set up the first-ever “God worshiping” organization. He is the self-claimed second son of God and little brother of Jesus. He began to call Jesus “Heavenly brother”.
In the mid-1900s, he traveled specifically to Guangzhou to study Christianity, but failed to be baptized due to his “impure faiths”. Most of his “teachings” were influenced by the earliest Christian homilies Good Words exhorting the Age, though they are mostly for the benefit of his ruling and rebellious uprising. It was originally written to overthrow the Qing dynasty, rallying forces of the general public. The language was so plain and simple so that every ordinary commoner could understand them. Like what’s written in the Ten Commandments, it lectures people on avoiding vicious behaviors like killing, stealing and gambling. Most importantly, the creeds he created for his believers point out “the heavenly father is there for us all, and everyone under the heaven is brother and sister.”
He told all his brothers and sisters, “we shall share every piece of farming land, food, clothing and money. Equality is everywhere, and every one of us will lead a well-fed and well-clad life” More like an idealist brainwashing anarchy than a religious group.
He particularly likes the word “brothers”, because it gives out a feeling of democracy, universal harmony and that he’s somewhat better than the brutal reign of the Qing government. However, there is at least one thing that makes him less of a brother of Jesus, is that he himself had numerous wives all his life, as sex servants waiting to address to his every need.
My two best personal experiences related to Jesus in China were not in Beijing. Back in my hometown, a second-tier capital city in the North, Sunday evangelical churches were mostly crowded with housewives and grey-haired ladies. I remembered going to some of their events and gatherings. The choir’s singing was indeed very moving and tear-jerking. The regional priest gave us insightful lectures on the interpretations of the Holy Bible. However, I failed to resonate with the feelings of those present when they talked passionately about how Jesus would save you from some plane crash and incurable diseases. During the spring festival, those believers would also put up those traditional Chinese couplets, except what’s written on them would be Jesus related.
After all, it’s a good thing that they find Jesus. Whether they are cured by Christianity, or reach a state of inner peace brought by sharing a faith is unknown.
Later in college, I had a junior schoolmate who was a truly pious believer. At some point, she seemed to be a little bit mentally depressed, and was rather sensitive when it came to socializing with people. She would always post on social media, about tenants from the Bible Corinthians, like “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” She told me it is a person’s despair that leads her to God.
I remembered she would tell me the biggest differences between Buddhism and Christianity, is that compared with Christianity, Buddhism is a lonely religion, and that monks and secular believers would spend years practicing alone and at some point finally come to enlightenment in a remote temple in the middle of nowhere. However, Christians are more easy-going and like to be with people, and love to share everything. The very bustle and excitement of being together with people heals her depression. Their gatherings every week worked, in a sense, as a loving support group session, where people would tell stories about getting over a close relative’s death, a cheating boyfriend or even small things like struggling to lose weight.
I just went to their Easter baptizing event on April 20th, while they had three of those attendees baptized by an experienced priest. “Do you admit that Jesus died for our sins, and resurrected on the third day?” He asked while taking some water from a white plate to wet their hair. I was deeply touched by the personal story one of the girls told in front of everyone, about her broken relationship, which lasted for ten months several years back. But it devastated her, and until recently she knew from other friends that her ex got married, and she prayed for his happiness in marriage and let him go at heart in the end. She said it’s Jesus that helped her get rid of all the worst memories.
But still, I’m not sure if it’s just a cultural thing, that it is still a novelty in the Chinese culture, that usually our spiritual enlightenment doesn’t come from sharing groups.
After all, a religion helps a person find peace at heart, or at least somewhere, whether it’s with people or without.
However, there are also more radical Chinese preaching groups that I’ve come across. They see the Bible as their only source of truth and believe every word of it, with no room for interpretation. Once, my friend questioned them about the Lamb of God, about God’s test for Abraham of sacrificing his child’s life, most of them would say if it was me, I would unquestionably pick up a knife to kill my son.
During my short stay in Macao several years back, Mazu temple of course still enjoys booming pilgrimage from the fishing families, and they have specially shaped whirling incense that resembles a fisherman’s bamboo hat. However, more densely located are the Christian churches, built in a Portuguese style as it is the former colony of this European country. According to current studies, a lot of those fishermen by sea-side regions converted from their original religion Mazu (Chinese goddess of the sea, usually worshiped in Southern sea-side areas) to Jesus.
In those Portuguese style churches in Macao, they have Mass every week, I had wanted to attend one out of curiosity but wasn’t lucky enough to come across it. However, in order for their wishes to be heard, visitors are allowed to light their own candles in front of Jesus statuettes. I quite like the atmosphere, no crowded worshipers or visitors, no tourist groups. Just utter peace, as if it was a small town in Europe, with old ladies selling pork burgers on the street. It is what a religious town ought to look like, I imagine.
Back in Beijing, some youngsters welcome certain Christian rituals not for the sake of their beliefs, but because they think it’s really cool and trendy, like going to the church for Christmas or a wedding ceremony.
In The Church of the Saviour, colloquially referred to as Xishiku Church, the largest and oldest Catholic church in Beijing, two huge stone lions are guarding the gate, which creates an interesting combined view of western and eastern culture. Most importantly, there is a confessional, one of the reasons visitors flood there. It excites outsiders thinking so many confessions are made in that small partition. Believer or not, it seems really reassuring to have someone listen to your sins and tell you that you are going to be saved after all.
Wandering about the 798 art district, I just bumped into yet another civil missionary asking me if I want to hear about Jesus. I said no, sort of mechanically, when I realized I should have just said, “Yes, What about him?”
What about Christianity in China? Well, at least Christians are not alone.
Interesting, especially to read the thoughts and intents of one who professes to believe in Christ.
I am surprised, to say the least, that the writer did not seem to emphasize the REVEALED basis and nature of the Christianity of the Bible. Rather, the writer emphasized the practices and the meditative aspects of religion.
In truth, the God of the Bible exists apart from the universe He created. This is in deep contrast to the god of eastern and tribal religion, who is included in the universe.
In Christianity, the God Who created us has to reveal Himself to us in order for us to know Who He is. Granted, we can know THAT He is via the wonders of creation itself; but to know WHO He is, more or less precisely, we need for Him to tell us.
That is what He has done. And this revelation is remarkable in that it shows Him to love us and desire to dwell among us, and to have intimacy with us. He wants to take us to be with Him throughout eternity.
The Gospel is that, despite out sin problem, He, the righteous Son of God, wants to take our sin upon Himself in exchange for putting His righteousness upon us — the most asymmetrical deal of all time.
I am astonished that none of this seemed to make it into this article. And I apologize if what I have written seems too critical, obtuse or uncaring.
That description of Hong Xiuquan, leader of the Taiping Rebellion, perhaps the second bloodies human conflict after WWII, was about as bad as describing Hitler’s commentaries on art as a way of describing his impact on the world.
Seriously, the Taiping Rebellion had almost 10 million combatants and an estimated 20-30 million dead. Mostly with swords, pikes, axes, and a few primitive cannon. It was said that after one of its great battles, there were so many dead people and horses that someone could walk over five square miles and never step on dirt or rock because of the bodies.
And it all began when missionaries gave an otherwise ordinary religious tract to a guy who was both insane and astoundingly charismatic. That and two of the four generals he chose happened to be competent.
Most Americans are unfamiliar with Taiping, because it overlapped the US Civil War.
I forgot to add, Taiping is a main reason the Chinese government is still afraid of Christianity.
bump for later
Posting more ChiCom propaganda,I see.
Then the author, who is himself preaching and asking for my attention, would likely object to Jesus and His early disciples also.
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, (Matthew 3:1)
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35)
And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. (Luke 9:6)
Search: preaching Results from the search `preaching'. Matthew 3:1 Matthew 4:17 Matthew 4:23 Matthew 9:35 Matthew 10:7 Matthew 10:27 Matthew 11:1 Matthew 11:5 Matthew 12:41 Matthew 24:14 Matthew 26:13 Mark 1:4 Mark 1:7 Mark 1:14 Mark 1:38 Mark 1:39 Mark 2:2 Mark 3:14 Mark 6:12 Mark 14:9 Mark 16:15 Mark 16:20 Luke 3:3 Luke 3:18 Luke 4:18 Luke 4:19 Luke 4:43 Luke 4:44 Luke 7:22 Luke 8:1 Luke 9:2 Luke 9:6 Luke 9:60 Luke 11:32 Luke 16:16 Luke 20:1 Luke 24:47 Acts 3:20 Acts 4:2 Acts 5:42 Acts 8:4 Acts 8:5 Acts 8:12 Acts 8:25 Acts 8:35 Acts 8:40 Acts 9:20 Acts 9:27 Acts 10:36 Acts 10:37 Acts 10:42 Acts 11:19 Acts 11:20 Acts 13:5 Acts 13:24 Acts 13:38 Acts 13:42 Acts 14:7 Acts 14:15 Acts 14:21 Acts 14:25 Acts 15:21 Acts 15:35 Acts 15:36 Acts 16:6 Acts 16:10 Acts 17:3 Acts 17:13 Acts 17:18 Acts 20:7 Acts 20:9 Acts 20:25 Acts 28:31 Romans 1:15 Romans 10:8 Romans 10:15 Romans 15:19 Romans 15:20 Romans 16:25 1 Corinthians 1:17 1 Corinthians 1:18 1 Corinthians 1:21 1 Corinthians 1:23 1 Corinthians 2:4 1 Corinthians 9:14 1 Corinthians 9:16 1 Corinthians 9:18 1 Corinthians 9:27 1 Corinthians 15:1 1 Corinthians 15:2 1 Corinthians 15:11 1 Corinthians 15:12 1 Corinthians 15:14 2 Corinthians 1:19 2 Corinthians 2:12 2 Corinthians 4:5 2 Corinthians 10:14 2 Corinthians 10:16 2 Corinthians 11:4 2 Corinthians 11:7 Galatians 1:8 Galatians 1:9 Galatians 1:11 Galatians 1:16 Galatians 2:2 Galatians 3:8 Galatians 4:13 Galatians 5:11 Ephesians 2:17 Ephesians 3:8 Philippians 1:15 Philippians 1:16 Philippians 1:18 Colossians 1:23 Colossians 1:28 1 Thessalonians 2:9 1 Timothy 3:16 2 Timothy 4:2 2 Timothy 4:17 Titus 1:3 Hebrews 4:2 Hebrews 4:6 1 Peter 1:12 1 Peter 1:25 1 Peter 3:19 1 Peter 4:6 Revelation 14:6
They see the Bible as their only source of truth and believe every word of it, with no room for interpretation.
"Only source of truth" would refer to sure public Divine revelation, not mathematics, and believe every word of it is what the NT Christians did, in its genres, while "no room for interpretation" is impossible, within a limited scope and depth, and what the cynic likely means is that of no room for unwarranted liberal interpretation that would enable him to dispense with teaching that is contrary to his chosen morality and theology, which is the real reason he looks for reasons to justify his rejection of the Lord Jesus. To his own sad damnation, which is not an interpretation.
Change merely one word and we can have another almost identical thread: What about Christianity in America?
Sometimes what one writes must fit into so many column-inches.
[And it all began when missionaries gave an otherwise ordinary religious tract to a guy who was both insane and astoundingly charismatic. ]
Yet timing was everything. Few people today remember that the China of the time had an ingrained idea of “seasonal emperors”, based on the elements. When a future emperor was born, he would be raised with the idea of fulfilling his elemental role.
Using my labels, the first in the series was the destroyer, or ‘water’, emperor, who would wipe out the old order. Traditionally, their reigns were noteworthy and killed many.
His successor was the creator emperor, who would build the new order from scratch, using traditional principals. Then his successor was the maintenance emperor, who would take all the new systems and make sure they functioned properly.
Then the last emperor was the decay emperor, who would withdraw most of the government into Beijing, and let the country fall apart. After his reign, the water emperor would wipe it all out so China could begin again.
When I said ingrained, it had meaning. If an emperor conformed to his assignment, the government acted efficiently and carried out his orders. But if he wavered and tried to go against his assigned purpose, nothing but confusion would happen.
The emperor at the time of Taiping was a decay emperor, the best time to try and overthrow the government. The very last emperor paved the way for the rise of Mao, who at some point must have become aware that everyone assumed he was the water emperor.
[Then the last emperor was the decay emperor, who would withdraw most of the government into Beijing, and let the country fall apart. ]
Note: this topic is from . Thanks vannrox.
For little under fourteen years, the Taiping Rebellion waged over China... The Deadliest Civil War Ever | Taiping Rebellion (1851-1864) | History of China
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