ICC NOTE: Chinese Christians face daunting circumstances each day from threats of church closures to physical suffering. The Chinese government has allowed some leeway for the church, but with a price of loyalty to another master. According to Ed Cyzewski of Christian Today, Officially approved Chinese churches must place their loyalty and identity with China and the Party first, then the kingdom of God second. He goes on to explain the tactic is similar to the formation of what some call ‘American Christianity’ which encourages those who believe it to place political agendas before the kingdom calling. Christians cannot serve two masters; whether that is here in America or in China. Christ must come first, even if it means imprisonment or death. 

4/4/2016 China (Christian Today) – The government of China appears to be shifting its approach toward Christians, and this change could prove highly problematic in the years to come for the Chinese church.

The persecution of Christians after the formation of the People’s Republic of China in 1949 was swift, brutal, and devastating for many Christians, both native Chinese and missionaries. While the missionaries were attacked and driven from the land, the remaining Christians faced rioting crowds, the seizure of their property, and hard labour. Many were forced to attend re-education programs that extolled the virtues of the Communist party in China.

As documented in the book God Is Red, the remaining Christians in China formed the back bone of an underground church that has continued to thrive despite official opposition from the Chinese government. An uneasy truce has existed to a certain degree, with some Christians worshipping in state-approved churches. However, those seeking freedom of worship in an unapproved house church could still be imprisoned, beaten, or worse. Those who oppose government policies face harsh prison sentences.

There’s no denying how terrible and devastating China’s treatment of Christians has been, and we should certainly pray for the perseverance of believers in the midst of danger. However, China’s new policy toward Christians could prove particularly subversive and damaging to the health of the church.

Officials are encouraging Christians to keep their faith, provided that their loyalty to China comes first. As one national church pastor, Pastor Wu Weiqing from Beijing’s Haidian Church, shared: “We have to remember first of all we are a citizen of this country,” he says. “And we are a citizen of the Kingdom of God. That comes second.”

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