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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Asia (02/26/09)
There is a misconception that Asia did not have Christianity until we started to smuggle Bibles into those countries to bring the message. Yes, they were in need of Bibles, but it was not only to learn that there is a God and His son, Jesus Christ, but to fill them with the Holy-inspired Word of God. There were Christian communties in Persia, Central Asia, Tibet, China, Arabia, India and Ceylon in the early centuries. These were not "heathen countries" that needed total evangelizing. There were definitely countries that needed help to remember their history and reestablish their roots.

To date, many Asian countries still need the Holy Bible smuggled into their countries. What happened since the beginning centuries when Christianity was first brought into their country and people accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior? While they need the Holy Bible to grow in their walk with the Lord, we as a Western nation, also need to understand their history instead of only looking at them as a pagan nation needing to be saved.

Bringing the Holy Bible and sending missionaries with knowledge does help to convert people to know the saving grace and love of our Father. This aspect is still needed in every country today. The great Westernized United States still needs a great revival to sweep the land. With concern to the Asian countries, it was many centuries ago that Christianity was first brought to their nation and time has a habit of changing things drastically. Smuggling Bibles and bringing them the truth became a big issue in the 20th century as it was during Paul's time in the Bible. It was not new to them, however; only restricted and there are many followers of the Lord that do not fully grasp this fact.

This leads to the power that the Holy Bible still holds today. It is still considered a threat to some and must be kept under control. Could it be that in regulating the amount of Bibles the average citizen has access to controls the amount of Christians or people that turn their lives to Jesus Christ today? Other literature for religions such as Buddhism, Islam, and atheism are sold in all bookstores in Asian countries today. The Bible is the exception to this rule. It is only allowed by one printing press, only a certain amount of copies and sold only in regulated government approved church bookstores. It is kept under tight rein to this day. The question would be why such complete control only over this one book?

We could assume by this fact that the government does not want a takeover by the Christian religion. They are trying to control the spread of the gospel by government regulations instead of outright withholding of an item that points towards the light. This could be seen as subtle conditioning. If allowed in small quantities, it may not be construed as a fascination. Like candy in a candy store is to a child, so the Bible may be like a temptation for the Asian citizen. If completely withheld, it may result in a fascination so strong that many will flock to its allure.

Amazingly enough, this tactic does not work. Ask the Asian citizen today, many are willing to risk jail and persecution to own a Holy Bible resulting in smuggled Bibles being accepted by those who love Jesus and in turn, will spread the gospel. The reason for this is not because Westerners have enlightened them; the reason is it does lie deep in the roots of their culture. Many times it has been heard that Christianity is like a foreign language and it is our job and duty to bring enlightenment. While this is honorable and keeping with the teaching of Jesus Christ and the Great Commission, we are approaching the matter with the wrong mindset.

In John 8:12, Jesus stated, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (KJV) It would benefit us to remember this path was walked before many centuries ago and this is not a new concept. It would be more effective for missions and more beneficiary to the Asian people as a whole to infiltrate with the knowledge it is cultural history. Only this will truly inflame complacent hearts of a nation who knows Jesus as part of their history and bring true revival.
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This article has been read 849 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanne Sher 
03/07/09
I learned a lot in this piece, and enjoyed it very much. Thank you for helping me pray more effectively for my Chinese brothers and sisters in Christ.
Gregory Kane
03/07/09
You are absolutely right in saying that many Asian nations had their own Christian missionaries in only a few centuries after Christ. The Church of the East was not a missionary wing of the Roman Church nor of the Eastern Orthodox church, but came out of Syria and used the languages of the Middle east. Sadly one of the reasons for its eventual demise was that, unlike the Church in Europe, it did not have much access to the Scriptures. Therefore when trials came, many people fell back into their old ways and fell from faith.
We thank God that many people today in Asia have opportunities to read the Bible. In an increasing number of nations the Bible can be freely purchased by those with a hunger to learn. Even in China the Amity Press has printed more than 50 million Chinese Bibles and NTs. What an amazing world we live in!
Karlene Jacobsen 
03/07/09
Why indeed? Truth is a threat to the devil and his plans. Thank you for this history lesson and all the great insights you provided.
Ruth Ann Moore
03/08/09
Thank you for teaching me something. It is so easy in our nation to become complacent with our blessings, when people half a world away are willing to give their lives for a simple copy of God's Word.
Deborah Porter 
03/13/09
Hi Nancy. Just wanted to leave a quick note to let you know your entry, "True Enlightenment," actually did very well in the Asia Challenge. Although you didn't receive an award, you made it into the Highest Rankings for Level 1, placing 14th in that Level. Competition in Level 1 is always very intense, so well done.

If you'd like to check the highest rankings for yourself, you can find them here:
http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=24717

The highest rankings are posted every Thursday evening on the Message Boards.

You definitely deserve a pat on the back. Well done. With love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)