I have frequently heard the phrase "Sinicizing Christianity" recently. It's undeniable that the Sinicization of Christianity plays an important role in sharing the gospel in China. Many scholars offer good analyses of the sinicization of Christianity. Although many scholars of religion are not Christians, I sensed something more important than the Sinicization of Christianity from their evasive speech -- what Christianity can bring to China, the church to society, and Christians to Chinese people. I hold that they may want to ask a question: are your so-called Christians the same Christians the Bible teaches you to be?
However, few Christians have Christ's likeness. A large portion of today's Christians don't pursue progress, so it's impossible for them to lead the nation. I feel really ashamed to hear such tactful criticism. What's worse, a lot of Christians just treat it as a joke, which is even more distressing. New things have to be recognized before being accepted. The same is true with Christianity. We tend to ignore whether we are full-powered or not when we want to sinicize Christianity on a large scale.
What's important at present is to consolidate our own power to cope with the future development of the sinicization of Christianity. What's our power? That's the influence which Christians do bring to society. Everybody says that we should have a positive energy, so let the society feel that we are a strong positive energy so that we can be accepted.
On a large scale, Christianity enjoys a good reputation among most people. Many praise Christians as nice people who don't swear. However, don't expect to see Christianity take root in China if believing in the Lord just means not scolding. We will be very far from the Lord's disciples if we stay at the most fundamental level. The disciples chosen by the Lord Jesus were sent to evangelize all over the world. In my eyes, they were more than polite, bringing good news to people. In order to let people accept the gospel, they endured hardship and sacrificed themselves. Some of them were flogged or even lost their lives. I believe they were the real disciples.
Then are we worthy to be God's disciples? I don't deserve that for I fail to imitate what Christ did on Earth! What about on a small scale? For instance, I've heard that the woman who is my neighbor roars and swears at her husband every day and she is a Christian. Well, many Christians act just like her. However, do we deserve to be disciples if we never reflect on whether our behavior matches our identity?
Christianity is a religion that earnestly practices what it advocates. Your behavior shows your faith and can have an impact on others. This is also a warning: the deeds of preachers in the pulpit influence believers whose behavior has an effect on society. Our social influence decides the public recognition that implies acceptance. If every Christian is willing to take up his or her own cross and live out a witness, the sinicization of Christianity will have great potential.
-Translated by Karen Luo
