A father in Southern China who crowd funded for his 5-year-old daughter’s leukemia treatment are facing backlash after netizen’s outcry that he owns three apartments. All of the donated money has been forced to return.
Here is the outline. The father, Luo Er asked on his social media account, WeChat, for help on Nov 25, with heart-wrenching words pointing out that “Jesus, Stop Forcing Me to be Your Enemy,” appealing that Jesus must be too cruel if He would take away his daughter. This heart-breaking post went viral among Christians and even non-believers, after a financial consultancy firm Xiao Tong Ren agreed to donate one yuan for each share on social media. By Wednesday night, the post was shared 548,483 times.
After earning 2.5 million yuan, Luo Er was accused of fraud. People claimed that he had a middle-class lifestyle, owning three apartments in Shenzhen and Dongguan City. On Dec 1, in a joint statement he apologized and announced the return of funds to donors.
This hot issue has triggered thoughts among Christians, due to the first initial post by Luo Er, Jesus, Stop Forcing Me to be Your Enemy, in which the writer wrote his views on suffering, as well as Bible.
The question is, does his view on suffering is biblical? How should a Christian biblically respond facing suffering? Couple of Chinese pastors shared their views with CCD.
Pastor Lin: “Jesus should meet my need if I believe him” is not a biblical view.
“For Christian, we should pray for him (Luo Er) and may God show mercy to him, whatever his motivation was,” said Rev Lin, a pastor in Jiangxi. “Understand, but not agree with him.” Lin explains that God grant us peace, as well as justice. Christians should balance on the two sides: seek God’s mercy, as well as honor God’s justice.
In Lin’s opinion, Luo Er’s extreme words in his initial post show that he do not know the Truth clearly. Luo might be influenced by the Prosperity theology, claiming that “Jesus meet all my needs,” which goes contrary to the Bible. Every Christian has his or her own view on suffering, some silently endure, while others find that unbearable. Sufferings also find Christians, and it’s not bad to ask for a crowd-funding when you were in trouble. At the same time, Christians see sufferings as make-up-blessings. See the Book of Job, Book of Romans, sufferings are benefited for Christians. And we have the promise that God make all work good for people who love God.
Pastor Hong: Christian should be more reasonable to see this issue
Rev Hong noted that vast majority netizen look on and forward this issue-related posts with a Tucao-mentality. He advises that a reasonable Christian should note this father’s love for his ill daughter, not only that the father is a liar. A traditional Christian might insist on praying and upholding faith to God, while when people are in plights, it’s acceptable for them to seek social help.
“If he releases timely statement that God’s grace is abundant and with so much help that the raised fund is enough to cover his girl’s treatment, that would be better.” Rev Hong added.
Speaking of the plight and social help, Rev. Hong talked about the salary plight and life-challenge that the Chinese preachers are facing. Most preachers have a low salary, so when they are in trouble they might go to crowd-funding. “when others helped us, we should express our gratitude. This is what a Christian would and should do. While I see none of these among Luo’s posts. ”said Rev. Hong.
Pastor Piao: Christians love Jesus, fearing humiliating the Lord. While Luo Er is challenging Jesus by his post.
“The father’s mentality, shown when and how he announce the family tragedy, is so important, though it’s a pity that his daughter is suffering.” says Pastor Piao, a senior pastor of a church in NE China, “And it’s donor’s right to know all the related truth. ”
Besides Luo’s mentality, his motivation is also questioned by Rev. Piao. “Christians love Jesus, fearing humiliating the Lord’s name, while you can tell that Luo is challenging Jesus by posting like that.”Complex results followed a complex mentality, though the original intention is to arouse love and compassion, added Rev. Piao.
As to Christians, explained Rev. Piao, we should uphold biblical principles, checking the Bible and looking on Jesus, following him. Jesus obeyed God, thus he accepted the bitter cup. Knowing God’s will, Christians would be obedient. After all, suffering is not everything, which only is part of our life, even the made-up blessings.
Pastor Wang: Let your word yes to yes, no to no. Christians should be no exaggerated nor hype.
Rev. Wang told CCD that the biggest problem he noticed from the Luo Er issue is about “integrity.”
“Christian should not be exaggerated nor hype. Let our words yes to yes, no to no, as Jesus taught. And it is necessary for Christians to distinguish the truth from the wrongs since this IT era is so complicated.”
Speaking of Luo Er issue, Rev. Wang insists that Luo’s Post, Jesus, Stop Forcing me…, is a blasphemy to God from the view of conservative, while an expression of other views, like the Book of Job and Ecclesiastes. It’s nothing wrong if you treat it as faith of protesting.
Of course, sufferings are objective, admitted by Rev. Wang. While when others are suffering, we should keep a heart of humility and compassion, showing our encouragement and supports. As the Scripture says: Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Rev.Wang also mentioned that no matter in church or in the society, there is a need for professional counselors besides the caring person who provides supports.
Translated By: Alice Wang
