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Why should we care about “cultural mission” in China?
Culture has a huge influence over any people group's response to the Gospel.
The ancient Chinese believed a supreme deity who reigned over a host of nature-deities. However, in the course of past two thousand years the concept of the Lord-on-high (Shang-ti), which is close to the biblical God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, has been neglected. Instead, Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and other folk religions penetrated the soil of Chinese culture.
By the turn of the twentieth century Marxism, naturalism, scientism, and Darwinian evolutionism entered Chinese intellectual thought and soon swept over the entire population. Today, most Chinese embrace an atheistic ideology based upon a biased interpretation of tradition and western humanism. Thus, the present cultural ethos in China has developed into a stronghold against the advancement of the Gospel, making the removal of these cultural obstacles a matter of greatest urgency.
What is the aim of “cultural mission”?
The aim of “cultural mission” is to demonstrate the preeminence of the Gospel among every stratum of Chinese society in order to form a positive impression of Chrsitianity.
For example, Christian professors within the academy may provide an apologetic through active dialogue to expose the foundational weaknesses among much secular philosophies while revealing the strength of a scripture-based worldview. Christian writers, artists, and musicians may also find opportunities to present the Gospel message through familiar media. Professionals working in mass media may exhibit the good fruit of Christian life so as to build bridges for sharing the Gospel.
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What strategies can be employed?
The Blessings Foundation (BF) employs four strategies to fulfill the cultural mission. First, we seek to NURTURE TALENT through awarding seminarian scholarship to brilliant Christian scholars and talented mass media professionals. Besides financial aid, we also strive to foster spiritual growth and build long term relationships with recipients.
Secondly, the BF actively participates in ACADEMIC COOPERATION. Following economic reforms promoted by the Chinese government since the early 1990s, many mainland universities have begun to incorporate various Christian studies. Remarkably these institutions would offer courses like New Testament Survey, Old Testament Survey, Christianity and Chinese Culture, etc. Though most professors are non-Christians, they would welcome theological experts to their campuses and are eager to dialogue with Christian scholars. Now is the golden opportunity to reach the intellectuals of China.
Thirdly, the BF established a MASS MEDIA MINISTRY. The quarterly magazine, Blessings, helps readers understand the complex relationship between Christianity and culture. An annual symposium, Christianity and China, is published as a conduit for constructive theological and cultural discussion. The website of BF is www.bf21.org.
Fourthly, we participate in direct EVANGELISM and EDIFICATION. The BF coworkers are experienced evangelists and theological teachers. They lead evangelistic meetings and train Christians in Chinese communities all over the world.
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