In an era when so many are interested in finding their ancestral
roots, discovering an immigrant among our forebears is scarcely unusual.
Since pre-history people have moved from place to place in search of
the proverbial greener pastures and a better life, or to escape tyranny,
disaster and hunger.
Yet immigration poses problems of adjustment for both the host
community and the people entering it. Migration in sufficiently large
numbers can overwhelm a host nation and permanently change its culture, a
prospect fuelling fear in settled populations, especially during times
of economic uncertainty. The reception of Muslim immigrants into western
nations has been particularly fraught with tension, because Muslims
bring practices that contrast markedly with the ways of the receiving
communities. Yet as Christians we recognize that the Bible requires us
to exercise hospitality to the sojourner in our midst. So how should we
approach this issue?
In his new book, Christian Hospitality and Muslim Immigration in an Age of Fear (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2018), author Matthew Kaemingk,
a professor at Fuller Seminary, has made a significant contribution to
the discussion surrounding Muslim immigration. Much as Tertullian posed
his famous question on the relationship between Athens and Jerusalem,
Kaemingk focuses on that between Amsterdam and Mecca, representing the
changing dynamics between a post-christian liberal culture and a
traditional nonwestern monotheistic culture.
11 February 2019
22 January 2019
Rev. Wang Yi and faithful disobedience
The church in China is growing dramatically, but in the meantime the government in Beijing is renewing its persecution of Christians. Last month members of the Early Rain Covenant Church in Chengdu, including Pastor Wang Yi, were arrested and taken into custody. Anticipating his likely arrest, Wang Yi wrote My Declaration of Faithful Disobedience, to be published in the event this did take place. Here is an excerpt:
Reading such a fearless statement should prompt those of us living in safer environments to consider what we ourselves would do under similar circumstances. In the meantime, let us pray for the safety of Pastor Wang Yi and the members of his congregation. Let us also pray that the Holy Spirit will change the hearts of their persecutors.
If God decides to use the persecution of this Communist regime against the church to help more Chinese people to despair of their futures, to lead them through a wilderness of spiritual disillusionment and through this to make them know Jesus, if through this he continues disciplining and building up his church, then I am joyfully willing to submit to God’s plans, for his plans are always benevolent and good.
Precisely because none of my words and actions are directed toward seeking and hoping for societal and political transformation, I have no fear of any social or political power. For the Bible teaches us that God establishes governmental authorities in order to terrorize evildoers, not to terrorize doers of good. If believers in Jesus do no wrong then they should not be afraid of dark powers. Even though I am often weak, I firmly believe this is the promise of the gospel. It is what I’ve devoted all of my energy to. It is the good news that I am spreading throughout Chinese society. . . .
Those who lock me up will one day be locked up by angels. Those who interrogate me will finally be questioned and judged by Christ. When I think of this, the Lord fills me with a natural compassion and grief toward those who are attempting to and actively imprisoning me. Pray that the Lord would use me, that he would grant me patience and wisdom, that I might take the gospel to them.
Reading such a fearless statement should prompt those of us living in safer environments to consider what we ourselves would do under similar circumstances. In the meantime, let us pray for the safety of Pastor Wang Yi and the members of his congregation. Let us also pray that the Holy Spirit will change the hearts of their persecutors.
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