The book, Jesus in Beijing
The book, Jesus in Beijing
The book, Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity is transforming China and changing the global balance of power takes an up-close look at the Chinese society, and how Christianity is slowly penetrating this highly government controlled society as the years go by. The book highlights several issues surrounding Christianity and Christians in the Chinese society. Aikman, the book’s author brings out the fact that, in China, the church has take a dimension of communist party sponsored Protestants and Catholics and thousands of home based churches. According to the book, the home churches are largely illegal in China. The book brings out the fact that, the church in China is made up of assorted individuals especially the Chinese rapidly growing middle class. From the book, the figure is put at almost 80 million Chinese and that going into the future; Christianity may grow at a rate of 20-30% of the Christian population. Aikman’s argument is that, as the Chinese economy grows by rips and bounds, Christianity may come to play a more prominent role in shaping the countries policy going into the future (Doyle, 2003).
Another point that comes out clearly in Aikman’s Jesus in Beijing is that, the Chinese government does not fully accept the growing influence of Christianity amongst its population. The book describes the persecution that Christians underwent in China especially after the communist party took over power in 1949. It is clear that, over the years, the Chinese government has used torture and other crude methods to curtail its growth. From the book, it is clear that, once Mao took over power in China, all foreigners had to leave the country. The Chinese Christians who were left to propagate the gospel faced the blunt of the government. The book highlights, “patriarchs” composed of a handful of pastors who endured decades of harsh treatment in prison because they refused to join the state-controlled three half patriotic movement churches (Doyle, 2003).
Once it reached a point where open persecution was no longer possible, the Chinese government changed tact and took control of the church. China has numerous protestant and catholic churches that are led and controlled by communist party sponsored, and controlled evangelists. Strongly linked to this is the fact that, while foreigners in the country for business and teach English have an influence in the spread of Christianity, they are under intense police surveillance (Doyle, 2003).
Another issue related to Christianity in the book Jesus in Beijing, is that of gender disparities amongst Christian populations in the country. The book states that the average ratio is 60-80% women in churches located in mainland China. The same case scenario features in other parts affiliated to China like the island of Taiwan though the figure is not as extreme (Doyle, 2005).
From the book, Aikman places more emphasis on several arguments. The first one is that of Christianity and its continuing growth in tandem with China’s ballooning economy. The other issue that the book places weight on is that of conflict between the Chinese church and the communist party. Lastly there is the issue of extreme gender disparities in the Chinese church. Starting with an analysis of the growing church in China, Aikman highlights that this is taking place mainly amongst the educated elite. These constitute of artists, writers, intellectuals, and even some sections of the Chinese communist party. A critical review of such statistics reveals a deeper rooted Chinese need for freedom that is curtailed by the government. The world over, Christianity is synonymous with freedom and, as more and more people gain education and economic means, Christianity offers the only reprieve to the personal and spiritual freedoms that they would otherwise not enjoy under the control of the Chinese government.
On the issue of the Chinese government’s crackdowns on the church, and the need to control it through state sponsored churches, it is vivid that the Chinese church is hugely insecure and fears shift of power from the government’s central command to the church. For example, Aikman highlights the fact that, the Chinese growing educated Christian population could at the end influence and in some instances gradient the country’s local and foreign policies. Such could especially link to matters related to China’s dealings with the United States and the war on terror (Doyle, 2003).
On the issue of gender disparity, the book highlights that women constitute the majority in the Chinese church, constituting a massive 60-80% of the total Christian population. Linking this to the Chinese actual dynamics, this could be caused by a number of factors. To start with, is the nature by which Christian missionaries approached China in the 19th and 20th century. During that period, mission agencies sent women to minister to fellow women, because it was hard to reach men owing to social customs. Over time, this gave more power to women both as evangelists and bible teachers. The work of female evangelists played a key role in the advancement of Christianity especially after the take over by Mao in 1949. In Mao’s reign, when male church leaders were either imprisoned or killed; females took over further entrenching their position in the church (Doyle, 2005).
Another factor linked to this is the market reforms that have taken place in China since 1978. Since these reforms started, men have left their rural homes for months and years in search of better lives, in the urban areas. Due to this, women are left as the heads of the family and the church in general in the rural areas. Given the fact that a significant population of China is still rural, it logically follows that, most of the Chinese Christian church is constituted of women (Doyle, 2003).
Women are also more prominent in the Chinese church because of the strong influence of traditional beliefs on men. A good example of this is in Taiwan and Hong Kong where these beliefs place a barricade on men’s embracement of Christ. Parents who adore ancestors believe that, their sons must take care of their souls after they die. Sons on the other hand, feel obligated to honor their parents, and therefore find it hand to accept Christ.
A critical analysis of Aikman’s point of view reveals that, there are arguments in the book Jesus in Beijing that are weak and unconvincing. The first one is the argument that, Christians will constitute 20-30% of the total Chinese population in coming years. He also argues that such a population could influence the country’s polices, both local and international, especially in joining the west in its fight against Islamic terrorism. This argument is a little bit far fetched given the dynamics that plague Christianity the world over. Amongst these include divisions of the church into factions, abuse of power and disregard of family by many who turn to evangelical work (Doyle, 2003).
In addition to that, as a need by the Chinese government to maintain control of the country, they are likely to get increasingly alert on such statistics. This is evident in the book where it highlights that, foreigners who teach English, do business and other activities in China have a role in the spread of Christianity, but is under heavy police cognizance (Doyle, 2003).
Lastly, the book Jesus in Beijing by Aikman has several implications to the church in China. For example, his exposé on some of the Christian ministries operating in China has received criticism from Chinese Christians who feel that, this will awaken the government to focus on them more. This is in a bid to crackdown on the church, and thwart its power. Though Aikman counters this argument by stating that the police already know about their existence, the Chinese churches are of the view that, it is far much better not to make the activities of Christians so outstanding that the government feels compelled to crackdown. Testimony to this is the facts that, after the publication and distribution of Jesus in Beijing, the authorities have since cracked down on the church by arresting hundreds of house church leaders (Doyle, 2003).
In conclusion, it is clear that, the book Jesus in Beijing bring out several key facts regarding the issue of Christianity in China. The first one is that, Christianity in China is on the rise, and is currently largely embraced by the educated elites. Another factor is that, the Chinese government is not comfortable with Christianity as it fears for it power. Lastly, is the fact that, the Chinese church is mainly constituted of women as a result of the Chinese history dating back to the 19th Century.
References
Doyle, W. (2005). Gender Imbalance in the Chinese church: Causes, consequences, and
possible cures [Review of the book Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity is transforming China and changing the global balance of power, by David Aikman]. Christianity in China.
Doyle, W. (2003). Christianity in China [Review of the book Jesus in Beijing: How
Christianity is transforming China and changing the global balance of power, by David Aikman]. Christianity in China.
