by FaithHouseManhattan
~ for Faith House by Jim Teal (a pseudonym), an artist and a businessman, Portland, Oregon, USA
Over the last 10 years I have built relationships with many Christians in People’s Republic of China. Recently I returned from my fifth visit. I was attending a conference of business people from China and Southeast Asia. For two weeks 40 of us traveled from Beijing to Lhasa and back. The purpose of this journey was to retrace the beginning portions of the Silk Road in order to gain an accurate understanding of both the historical and the spiritual heritage of this great nation. We were joined by leaders and pastors from the United States, Japan, Singapore, India, Korea, and Hong Kong.
Reflecting on the experience I have come to believe that the church in China, Europe and North America are at the same crossroads. One of the questions we face globally is: Should we continue to pursue peace, justice, and compassion as Jesus Christ called us to do, or should we continue to spend most of our energies to preserve the institution of Christianity? The two are not the same.
In the beginning of the story of which all Christians are a part, it was not safe to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Many a lion dined on Christians day after day. Most of the disciples of Jesus were martyred. Discipleship carried a high price tag. That changed in the fourth century when Emperor Constantine “graduated” the followers of Christ from the catacombs. The oppressed became oppressors. Persecuted became persecutors. Another line to divide humanity had been drawn. Theology and structure followed. For many of them, I’m sure it was a long awaited short-term relief, an answer to their prayers.
But today we see more clearly the long-term effects. For 1600 years of Christian history, there has been a waltz between the religion of Christ and the revolution of Christ. At times these two have walked the same path, at other times the two parted company, and occasionally the two faced off in a struggle. But back to China . . .
From my experience in China I have learned that the Kingdom of God Jesus talked about does not need a Western-style church. In fact some Chinese Christians will tell you that Western Christianity is a major stumbling block to the health of the Chinese Church.
The leaders of unregistered churches are getting old, and many are tired of the battle and want rest. They wonder if the solution is to imitate Western Christians with their nice buildings and TV ministries: a Cadillac kind of faith. Many are attracted by the safety, security, and comfort of the institutional Christian church they see across their “Wall.” And it seems that the Chinese government is ready to institutionalize these believers—if they will sign on the dotted line. They can have all the bells and whistles they want.
So their choice is the same choice many others have faced in the past and will face in the future.
An institutional religion seems to offer many blessings. But it is of no value if it fails to serve something larger than itself, which in case of Christianity is the revolution Jesus commissioned us to pursue. All religions have to make this kind of choice, including Judaism and Islam. Will they live (and die) for the causes of common good, justice, and compassion for all human beings, or will they choose safety and comfort only for those who comprise their religion?
Chinese Christians can do much more for the Kingdom of God than be a great religion or a powerful institution. I challenge my Chinese brothers and sisters, “Please be who God created you to be!”
The day Western Christians have to make the same decision is rapidly approaching. Around the world there is a growing number of people who want to follow the teachings of Jesus, but want nothing to do with the institutional church. I have heard of a growing group of Islamic believers in China who use the term “Messianic Muslims” to describe themselves. But they remain dedicated Muslims. We often use the term “Messianic Jews” to describe Jews who follow Jesus. But these people are not “Christians in disguise.” I am not sure whether their own religions accept them, but I am sure they don’t think of their faith as Christian at all. They think of themselves as fully Jewish, and fully Muslim. Christians can’t understand this. We have no concept of why a group would respect the teachings of Christ but not want anything to do with Christians or Christianity.
Is God big enough for this diversity? Absolutely!
I am done with trying to make other people follow God the way I do. I am at peace with God who is larger than I. Others don’t have to look, walk, talk, and believe like I. It is time to learn to value everyone God created, along with their unique stories, experiences, and beliefs. God is alive and well outside the boundaries of my religion. If we fail to accept God’s magnanimity, we will add trouble and misery to the world. I am a devoted follower of Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life for me, and at the same time I am fully open to find my God in the other. And I can do both at the same time.
Imitating the West is not a solution for the Chinese church. The economical world is flat. The church of Christ is becoming flat as well. Perhaps Western Christians should look over the wall, into China, and see how much beauty, strength, and courage can be found in God’s wonderful, unique creation there.
Let’s keep the revolution going!
