CORBIN —
A billion strong in population and with endless centuries committed to the practice of Buddhism and Confucianism, China is now approving Christianity. It is beyond belief since thousands of Chinese Christians during the last century have been persecuted, imprisoned and killed. In spite of this, a 2 percent of Chinese have persevered underground. In the last 10 years, however, that number has grown to nearly 10 percent.
The big question: why would this atheistic, communistic government of China turn from a vehement persecution of Christians to an open endorsement of them? The Chinese Empire’s method to their madness is not for promoting faith in and worship of Christ, but to promote an agenda for unifying the Chinese people.
China’s study of Christianity began December 18, 2007 with all-day seminars on Christianity for all 23 members of China’s leadership. The endless diversity and lack of unity among Protestants has diverted China’s interest to the Christianity of the Catholic Church. The Chinese government has found Christianity as a most impressive method of drawing people together in harmony. The Christian teaching as coming forth from Rome for centuries impresses the atheistic mind of Chinese leaders. Christianity is desired as a catalytic agent for a peaceful and harmonious society.
A further enticer in the eyes of the Chinese government for Christianity is its correlation with economic prosperity. In the past 150 years, the economic boom in the world has been in the Western World (Western Europe and USA); a world permeated with Christian influence. China finds itself in a spiritual vacuum. There is no longer the centuries-old solidarity (and near-worship) with emperors (an imperial ideology ending with Mao). Further the Chinese people are divided by some practicing Buddhism and others Confucianism. China’s present atheistic form of government offers no social/spiritual cohesion.
However Catholicism is far from a shoo-in with China’s government. Much sparring is going on between Beijing and the Vatican. China’s leaders find it incomprehensible that the church is run by a supernatural power, focused on the spiritual rather than earthly authorities. China’s government sees itself as the rightful ruler of Christianity in China, even insisting it has the solitary power to appoint the bishops of the Chinese church.
The bottom line: China wants the supernatural wonder of the Gospel – unity, harmony and love - without acknowledging a Supernatural Power. Let us all pray that Christianity progresses in China.
“Upon this rock I will build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” [Mt. 16:18] Yes, Christ is in China.
The Rev. John Burkhart Ph.D, is a retired Episcopal priest and professor of psychology
jandmburkhart@yahoo.com blog at inspirationsandideas
Editorials
Related Photos
-
John Burkhart
Discussion
Christ is in China
- Editorials
-
-
Will Main Street ever trust Washington again?
The scandal at the Internal Revenue Service and the Justice Department spying on the Associated Press came at the same time that I have been reading Moises Naim’s excellent book The End of Power.
-
Mistreatment doesn’t warrant story
The man strode into the office with a purpose. He had been wronged, and he wanted the newspaper to do something about it. But regrettably, I had to inform him that we couldn’t help him.
-
Controversies expose policies we should evaluate
Scandals like those roiling Washington often look more or less nefarious as time and facts unfold. After all, what at first looked like a third-rate burglary turned into Watergate.
-
The world could use a little more ‘Tebow Time’
I try to leave the sports writing and opinions to my friends, Les and Chris, here at the Times-Tribune, but as a big sports fan, the occasional story will grab my attention.
-
Compliance cars and souls
Within 12 years, it is projected; about 16 percent of cars on America’s roads will be zero-emission vehicles (ZEV).
-
KY Mountain Laurel Festival - Reflecting Pool
Kentucky is a most unique Commonwealth for many reasons.
-
Coal problem worth tackling in Washington and Frankfort
Despite hysterical cries from radical environmentalists, neither Sen. Rand Paul’s Defense of Environment and Property Act nor Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Coal Jobs Protection Act would allow activities that bring harm to Kentucky’s wildlife or waterways for the sake of propping up the coal industry.
-
Dress appropriately for the situation
I stopped in a fast-food restaurant this week for a giant sweet tea, and while I waited in line I saw a girl in her early 20s filling out a job application.
-
Life lessons from a lawyer’s lawyer
One of the great moments of my life was sitting next to legendary Louisville attorney Frank Haddad at a luncheon when he found that he had received the first Peter Perlman Outstanding Trial Lawyer award from the Kentucky Academy of Trial Lawyers.
-
Strange weather the new normal
A lost weekend with endless rain. Two inches of hail in the northern part of Laurel County. Knee-deep grass. Cool, dreary days. And now, perhaps record-low temperatures and frost Sunday night.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
