Among Cultural Chinese everywhere, the Christian faith is often perceived as a foreign or Western religion. Hence, many do not see how it is relevant for them. I’Ching Thomas talks about how to articulate the gospel in terms that are attractive and significant to our Cultural Chinese friends.
In Asian culture, often anyone who is born in a Buddhist country is considered a Buddhist. It’s not uncommon for people with a strong family identity to consider their family and religion together.
In Chinese culture the concept of face is a very important part of social interaction and is specific to the group or family to which the person belongs.
Building relationships through sharing resources.
When we lived in Asia, I was constantly asked for things and especially for money. Being a typical American, I was offended with their constant asking. I discovered later that asking for favors was a means of developing relationships.
Our friends in Asia suspected that we did not want to take care of our family members, our parents in particular, and so we came to their country. They couldn’t understand that we had come for any other reason.
I didn’t understand that by disagreeing with my parents and older people that I was not showing them respect and returning the care they had given me.
In Asia I experienced a lot of cultural stress but didn’t know why. Not only was I trying to adjust to a different culture, but I was also dealing with unconscious American and Japanese cultural values.
A resource to help you and your family say “Off we go!” with more confidence and connectedness.
A challenge and prayer for each of us seeking the God of recovery and revival.
Here's our list. What are you reading?
We’ve heard from those who had to leave China and have continued their journeys. Is there anything we can take with us for the journeys we are on?