"Heavenly Man" - through Ch1 [2]

So, is a lack of hardship for churches in our culture for the good or ill of The Church here?  Perhaps progressing through Yun’s story will give us some insight, or at least another perspective, on how to answer the question. 

In light of that possibility, I will call our attention to two additional accounts in the book’s opening pages before moving further.  In the preface of “The Heavenly Man” Xu Yongze, the chairman of the Sinim Fellowship of House Church Leaders in China, says, “I believe God allowed the atheist government to destroy the old structure of the Chinese church so that he could rebuild it according to his own purposes.  He started with little and has made it much!” (p8).  Then in chapter one we learn of the timing of a Lutheran Missionary’s arrival in China from Norway (Marie Monsen) on September 1, 1901.  Christians in Yun’s home province say she was used mightily by God to strengthen churches there. 

Let us look at the account of Ms Monsen first.  The timing of Marie’s arrival becomes alarming when we learn it was a year after “The Boxers” instigated a nationwide attack against foreigners in China.  These “Boxers” massacred more than 150 missionaries and thousands of their Chinese converts (p19).  In case you missed it, Marie’s going to China was in direct response to the martyrdoms of the previous year.  Her actions were either foolish or bold.  The Gospel shows us clearly which descriptor belongs to her actions – bold.   Yet what do we do with that?  How do we apply that same boldness here? 

The comment by Xu Yongze in the preface is intriguing.  It calls to mind the providence of God seen in various places in the Bible (e.g., the second and seventh chapters of Daniel).  In light of that, is God allowing (directing?) things in the U.S. Government (or our culture) to accomplish His purposes?  Are there signs of movement toward a destruction of “the old structure of the American church so He can rebuild it according to His own purposes”?  I will lay aside my disdain for the labels “Chinese Church” and “American Church” simply because they make the above statements more poignant.  Yet I will add there is only The Church, and she transcends national labels and identities. 

With that said, are there signs of God allowing things to happen here so that we are moved in a direction He knows is ultimately for the best?  What are some possible ways we can identify these moves?  Is doing this risky?  What pitfalls should we avoid if we attempt this? 

It seems to me the clearest way to see the work of God is after the fact.  After all, Jesus was missed by everyone; even His disciples did not fully get it until the ascension – and they were still slow in coming to grips with what God was doing and had done.  Therefore, it seems it would have been difficult to convince Christians in China that the oppressive Communist Government would ultimately serve God’s purpose.  Yet it did – God is amazing like that you know?  Praise His marvelous name!!!