Author: Urban Farmer

Cupping is practiced in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Chinese culture is, roughly speaking, 5,000 years old and many of their practices – including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) – have been around for thousands of years. The best Chinese doctors I have visited and been treated by are very honest about the limits of TCM. Recently I visited a doctor in our city who is considered an expert in respiratory issues. He prescribed some Chinese medicine, but informed me that in my condition I may also need to take western medicine. The doctor’s approach seemed very reasonable and balanced. He is familiar with both schools of medicine.

There is a similarity between China and the ancient Roman Empire. The roads, the common language, and the political unity that characterized the empire all contributed to the spread of the gospel in the first few centuries of the early church. China, like the Roman Empire, has experienced a combination of similar factors that have contributed to the churches amazing growth. 

All this points to a tremendous opportunity whereby we can get involved. We can get involved by learning about China – her culture, her people, and what makes her tick. We can pray and we can get involved, either by going to China or we supporting those who do. We can look in our own backyards for the growing population of Chinese immigrating to the US and befriend them.  They are often the most open to Christianity, fueled partly by the curiosity and discontent I mentioned above.

In any case we have an opportunity. And instead of responding in fear, we can respond with love.  Instead of responding with anger, we can respond with grace.  

About five years ago I met the author of this article, “The Spiritual Legacy of the House Church” (TSLHC), but only recently did I read this piece of his. I found myself internally crying out with a hearty “amen” at the words, thoughts, and concepts he expressed. I rejoice that we can have a role in letting the non-Chinese speaking world catch a glimpse of one small, but significant, voice out of many within the house church movement in China. I feel strongly that many Christians who desire to pray for China and support her church are only able to hear the voices of those who interpret the situation in China and not those who are actually inside the church themselves. Sometimes this is due to language barriers; sometime it is due to security issues. As I sit here and write this I am keenly aware that I am in danger of doing the very same thing. This is exactly why I want my words to be in response to the author’s words.

This is the second piece in a two-part series related to this topic. You can read the first post at “The Air that I Breathe” – Personal Reflections on Pollution in China. A few months ago, our blog editor asked me to contribute a few pieces reflecting on life in China specifically as it relates to pollution and the environment.