Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

The burgeoning growth of the church in China is one of startling trends in Christendom in the 21st century. Now comes the even more startling revelation that these Chinese believers are not embracing a religion that Western missionaries have attempted for hundreds of years to plant on Chinese soil. Rather, the Chinese are rediscovering a God who has been a constant presence in their history and culture for more than four millennia.

Chan Kei Thong in his extensively researched Faith of Our Fathers presents many historical gems to validate this astonishing perspective. From his study of the most ancient Chinese historical texts, Thong establishes that the earliest form of worship in China was of a monotheistic God recognizable by His attributes as the same God Yahweh of the Old Testament. This God was known as Shang Di and is the one for Whom the famed Temple of Heaven in Beijing was built.

It was here that Chinese emperors through the centuries offered the annual sacrifices that confirmed their right to rule in ceremonies that parallel in amazing ways similar rituals related to blood covenants in the Old Testament. These imperial ceremonies suggest an understanding of the problem of sin, of the need for salvation and even of the inability of any sacrifice to fulfill God’s judgement.

Through engaging and gripping retelling of some of the most significant stories of Chinese history, Faith of our Fathers reveals God’s guiding hand upon the Chinese people from the very beginning of their existence. The Chinese language reflects knowledge of the first events of human history as told in the Bible. Even the early name of the Chinese people used for their country is revealing Shen Zhou, which means God’s Country.

Over the millennia, the dynastic cycles that have been the hallmark of China’s long history reflect God’s principles at work; leaders as well as dynasties were raised up or brought down, depending on their attitude and behavior towards God, based on the doctrine of the Mandate of Heaven. Emperors were called the “Son of Heaven” and were regarded as the intermediary between Shang Di and the Chinese people, required to reflect Shang Di’s loving care for His people in their rule of the land. Quite remarkably, Thong even takes up the controversial subject of the Chinese dragon, proud symbol of China’s heritage but avoided by many others and presents a thoughtfully argued thesis of its historic role and its impact on Chinese cultural development.

I do not feel you will be disappointed in purchasing and reading this book. This book brings forth a mountain of evidence that China once had an age of faith. Just Sayin…RJS

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Looks interesting. I read a story about bibles in China. When someone gets one all of the pages are torn out, given to the underground church and every person gets one page to memorize.
Possession of a Bible is against the law.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Mauwehu: Well, you cannot classify all of China together as to what they are doing. An awful lot depends upon the intreptation of the Communist leaderships directives by local authorities and whether they feel the Christians are a threat.

My wife was two Masters degrees, one in English as a Second Language. She has been to China 6 or more times teaching their English teachers better how to teach English. She has gone to church each Sunday without hinderance. The sale and use of Bibles there depends much on local enforcement's concern of the threat posed by Christians.

What she saw was that Bibles were sold at the Official or registered Churches, but said the present adminstration has tightened the rules, so it may be more difficult, or near impossible to acquire a Bible freely.

Now, remember there are two levels of churches in China. There is the Official Church which operates with the approval and then there's the underground church. When Jean was in China, there were lots of Bibles available for sale, but it could have changes with tighter restrictions.

All depends upon the Central Communist leadership's concern about maintaining control over the population!
Just Sayin....RJS

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Interesting. I’ll take a nation of laws over rules that are open to interpretation although unfortunately that’s where we’re headed.

Dehy Loc: Jacksonville, Florida

Very interesting RJS

Pixiedog456005 Loc: Maryland

And every knee shall bow...

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

This was a very interesting post and responses. I'll look into this further Robert.

kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ

Yes, thank you Robert, very interesting.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, the most recent position of the Chinese leadership has been to tighten their rules. But remember when Christians are killed for their belief, it forces them underground and they become even stronger. Just Sayin...RJS

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Excellent true comment!!!!
Keep your friends close and your “enemies” closer!

HenryG Loc: Falmouth Cape Cod Massachusetts

where was this Chinese God when they let Covid out of the bag?

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

In His Kingdom looking down and shaking His head in empathy and love.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

I am sure that the Creator God Jehovah is amazed at the depravity of man and of what he is capable. Just Sayin...RJS