Crying to God During the Time of the Plague
Illness and death are stark realities that remind us we need salvation. But because of our gradual slide into sin and numbness, we no longer care about our own desperate condition; it seems as though the only thing that can wake us up from our stupor and force us to reflect more on the meaning of life is sudden, catastrophic disaster.
The Separation of Life and Death
Throughout this epidemic in Wuhan, many families have been separated by death – but this is not the greatest tragedy. The greatest tragedy is being separated by eternal death. This is worse than being separated by physical death. On the day of judgment, those who have no share in Christ will be forever separated from the Lord of life and cast into hell. There is a frightening distinction between the children of God, who will inherit eternal life, and the children of the devil, who will be punished.
The Chinese Church Under Pressure – Part 5, Moral Crisis
In the past, while China was busy getting rich, the government had confidence in its full legitimacy to rule and there were fewer questions of loyalty. But now, in this time of reconstruction, they ask: “Do you love me? If you do, you must raise the national flag. If you love me, you will register [your churches].”
The Chinese Church Under Pressure – Part 4, Modernization
How could China continue to exist as a cultural and political body? There were two potential paths – the first was to have a constitution to save the nation; the other was to change through revolution.
The Chinese Church Under Pressure – Part 3, the “Son of Heaven”
China had a Confucian system of thought. Over two thousand years, China gradually merged its politics of governance and domination, forming an “orthodox” cultural ideology. Ethics and relationships were built and maintained upon Confucian ideology.
The Chinese Church Under Pressure – Part 2, China and the Modern Nation-State
The persecution of the house church in previous decades, as well as now, is part of a large and extensive transformation of Chinese culture and society. The gospel has entered Chinese culture in modern history, and it continues to win over men and women to build the kingdom of God. In this process, there are both hills and valleys.
The Chinese Church Under Pressure – Part 1, “Who Do You Love?”
How do we view the Chinese church under pressure? There are many perspectives: some focus on whether the church can continue to exist – should we first preserve the remnants? Should we view the church from a more traditional, pragmatic perspective? Others view the church in China as the rise of the greatest private self-governing body. Those who hold this view have high hopes for the church and expect the church to drive China to change.
Friday Reflection – A Movement Which God Himself Raised
This is my belief: the great challenge that the Chinese churches face today is to combine our organic gospel movement with the organization that is the institutional church, so that both can function together in a balanced manner.
Conversations with J.D. Payne: What Will the U.S. Church Look Like in 20 Years?
Missiologist and pastor J.D. Payne finishes up a seven part series focused on missions strategy, and how our missions approach has changed over the years and will continue to change in years to come. In light of demographic shifts in the U.S., Payne offers his insights into what the church might look like in 20 years.
Marks of the Kingdom of the Gospel – Part I
The NIV translates Acts 4:23 to say that after Peter and John were released, they went to their “own people” and reported what happened. The gospel of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ separated the Jews, formerly one people, into two peoples. John and Peter’s own people were those that belonged to Christ, the new people in Christ. For the same reason you and I, formerly Gentiles, are now one people with all the saints in Christ. I am privileged and honored to come to you and be with you tonight, my own people. Because of our Lord, we are no longer only Americans and Chinese, but one heavenly people in Christ. I am very thankful and pleased to share with you this passage of scripture and report to you how stories similar to the early church in Acts are happening in China.
