God And China

Zhiming Yuan

As Christian faith has spread unprecedentedly far and wide in Mainland China and as millions of Chinese, including hundreds of thousands of intellectuals, became Christians, a significant issue emerged: Is there a relationship between the God we believe in and the historic fate of the Chinese people? Has God had sovereignty over China during the past 5000 years? Has He been the God of the Chinese people since time immemorial?

We all know that since the incoming of the Chin religion during the Tang dynasty, the relationship between Christianity and the Chinese people has become tense. Due to the cultural arrogance of the Chinese people, the Boxer grudge, plus the bias of the Vatican Pope and western theologians toward Chinese culture, a series of hindrances in the fields of culture, politics, and theology have existed. Thus, any argument regarding the essential connection between Christianity and Chinese culture has been banned, either by Communist ideology or by certain theological cults.

At present, we can no longer avoid admitting or discussing this essential connection. With their hearts flowing in a bloody and tearful river for 5000 years, hundreds of thousands of Chinese intellectuals have experienced the bitter fruit that has remained. Now, having received the light, could that light not have shone throughout China's long history? How could the Chinese whose hearts have been enlightened by God forget the 5000 glorious years? How could the past become a void in their hearts?

If the overseas Chinese who have been nurtured by the church or are only familiar with western theology, have never pondered this question, then today, the China issue obliges them to ponder it.
In view of the essence of the gospel, are Christianity and China's 5000-year history closely related or divided in their way?

Christianity, as a religion, with a history of 2000 years, nurtured in the west, is indeed not much related to China, which has a 5000-year long history and culture. Those who think that Christianity and Chinese history have nothing in common assume that Christianity is just a religion with a unique heritage restricted to time and space, and an organization with distinct terminology. No matter if they are atheists, chauvinists, or theologians, no matter if intentional or unintentional, they are prejudiced.

However, no true Christian will agree that the Christianity, he or she believes in, is not a religion as they assume. Christians believe there is a creator, who is "I am who I am," who is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, who is the Word become flesh. He, who came to the world for redemption of the people, has fulfilled the predestined universal salvation. In this sense, Christianity and 5000-years of Chinese history have a series of essential relationships.

According to the concept of God defined in the Bible, God is not merely the God of the Israelites, but "From one man he made every nation of men" (Acts 17:26). "In him was life, and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4). "…The great king over all the earth" (Psalm 47:2,8). "Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles, too? Yes, of Gentiles" (Romans 3:29).

This revelation in the Bible tells us: God's general revelation is over the whole universe (Psalm 19); it inquires about culture (Acts 17:23); God has made plain to the people (Romans 1:19); maybe we can guess, for he is not far away from each of us (Acts 17:27).

According to the concept of history in the Bible, God controls the history of mankind (Acts 14:16; Psalm 29:10; Jeremiah 10:10). Similar happenings of mankind, as recorded in the first 11 chapters of Genesis, presumably can be found in the history of any of the ancient countries.

Evidently, since time immemorial, God has been the God of the Chinese people. Being China's sovereignty, God's work can be discerned in Chinese culture. The Chinese people are also Noah's descendants. Traces may be found in ancient Chinese classics of similar happenings as those recorded in the first 11 chapters of Genesis.
From the point of view of missionary strategy, is the gospel separated from or connected to Chinese history and culture?

It is said that just to preach about Jesus is enough. Those who know me are aware of my stubbornness. Those who have heard my speech at evangelistic meetings will have no doubt about my nature. Why do I want to probe the 5000-year history of China? The Bible says, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight the path for him" (Matthew 3:3). "Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low…And the glory of the Lord will be revealed and all mankind will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken" (Psalm 40:4-5). Referring to these passages, it seems China is included.