It seems that Communism and Christianity cannot be discussed at the same time. One of them is atheistic while the other is theistic. Not only are their world views different, they are antagonistic to each other! From history we can see how difficult it has been for them to co-exist. However, the issue may not be as simple as it appears. Oftentimes there are two sides to an issue. There is an obvious side and a hidden side. The obvious side is often the manifestation, but the hidden side is the true source of the problem. The relationship between Communism and Christianity is no exception. Consider these questions:

--Why is it that nowadays the people of Communist countries, like China and the former Soviet Union which have been most intolerant of Christianity, have a greater tendency to accept Christianity? 

--Why are people who have previously whole-heartedly pursued Communism (including many Communist party members) more serious about their faith when they become Christians, than those who have been Christians for many years? 

--Why is it that all men are sinners, but after the trials of the past four decades it is the sinners, who lived under Communist rule, who are more zealous in seeking and accepting the true faith? On the other hand the sinners from other parts of the world not only wane in their sincerity to pursue God, but actually turn to worship idols (like those in Taiwan) or drift away from God (like those in the United States) ? 

In order to answer these questions we need to explore the issues from the perspectives of two groups of people, the mainland and the non-mainland Chinese. These two groups of people have very different sentiments and ways of regarding this issue because of what they have personally experienced. For example : 

 1) People who have never lived in a Communist society have a faulty understanding of Communism.

Often one hears people say, "This and that is wrong with Communism." Ironically, often what they point out as bad is in fact a good point about Communism. As to the true weaknesses of Communism, they do not have a clue.

Of those who are more than thirty years old and who received their education under the Communists, the general impression of Christianity is that it is very similar to Communism. To them Bible studies and singing are similar to their previous political activities. Even "making known one’s political belief" finds its counterpart. Can the non-mainland Chinese really understand?

Some of the messages that have been preached by famous overseas evangelists have actually turned away many mainland scholars who had a heart to pursue the truth. Some scholars even decided never to step into a church again. Why? Because there is a gap of understanding between the Communist and non-Communist cultures. In all fairness, it is not easy to understand Communism and those who have lived under its rule. 

 2) For the mainland Chinese, there is a need for deeper reflection -- "Why do I believe in Jesus Christ?" In these past few years, I have read many personal testimonies of mainland Chinese people who have come to know Christ. They have all touched my heart. But at the same time a question often popped into my head -- why is it that out of the "same group of people, with the same experience", some will accept Christ while others remain non-believers ? A typical example can be found in Yuan Zhiming and Su Shaiokong (ref. OCM vol. 10).  

These are the issues that this article would like to address: Overseas Christians and Understanding Of The Spreading Of The Gospel In Mainland China  

Why is that there are so many people in the previously "atheistic Communist world" accepting Christ today? Here are some frequently given explanations :

1) People suffered greatly under the never ending class struggles under the Communists and that is why so many people turn to Christ. On the surface, this seems a plausible explanation, but this view is seriously faulted. According to this view, Christians should affirm and applaud the Communist class struggles, shouldn’t we? In order for more people to come to know Christ, shouldn’t other countries aim for class struggle also?

2) Because the Communist system has collapsed. Indeed, there are a lot of problems within the Communist system. However, who is to say there is no problem with the Capitalist system? What would happen if China adopted capitalism instead? Would all her problems be solved? Just take a look at today’s China. She is trying so hard to steer herself towards the Capitalist system. What is the result? Is she better off than before? Not necessarily! In the past, under the Communist system, people were mistreated by other people. Today under the Capitalist system, people are bullied by money. Which one is better? Also, how do you explain the fact that Communism makes the atheistic countries turn to God while Capitalism causes the so called "Christian countries" to turn away from, even to denounce God?

Blaming everything on the system is not responsible. Who knows, maybe after forty years, capitalism will bring even greater problems for China. Today many Chinese are becoming Christians. Fundamentally, it has nothing to do with the government system. All men are sinners no matter what system they are under.

As one looks at the numerous problems facing western society, is the cause the system? Or is it the Christian faith? Or is it the people? How can an atheist who does not know the true meaning of Christianity identify the source of the problem? In addition, in some countries people love to say "God bless . . ." while in their actions they often hurt others. How would a non-believer regard this kind of faith? How could the true source of the problem be located?

  3) Due to the crisis faced by religion and value systems. Some Christian scholars have done in-depth studies on the value systems in Chinese history as well as recent political situations in China in the past two centuries. They have come up with some insightful observations. However, they have left out a very important part which proves to be most relevant to today’s situation. We need to ask -- "Why are we facing the crisis today and not in the past or in the future? Why do other religions (such as Buddhism) or non-Christian value systems not find themselves in the same crisis situation? They have their own faults, don’t they?" In general, the period of history between the "May Fourth Movement" and 1949 has been overlooked by scholars. It turns out to be the crucial factor in determining why we are in such a state today.  

All these seemingly correct explanations stem from an erroneous concept about Communism. When people refer to "Communism", what do they really mean? Are they referring to its ideology, ideals, or theories? Or to its political systems? Or to its party members? Maybe to all three together? It is a mistake to mix these three together and this is the most common error.  

What is Communism?

The ideology

The ideology behind Communism was developed by a German named Karl Marx (1818-1883) in Europe. It is not a religion but an ideal for a fair and wonderful society for mankind. It was a natural byproduct of the Industrial Revolution which brought about the oppression and exploitation of the poor. It was supposed to establish an ideal society dreamed up by the poor in the midst of their suffering. Its central concept was: "Everyone does his best and takes what he needs." 

Political System

Based on ideology and individual interpretation, different governmental systems were developed. It was natural to establish Communism in the early twentieth century in China because most of the population was poor. Although most people know of Chinese Communism's problems, to the Communist's credit the problem with drugs, firearms, and gangs were non-existent.

Party members

In the beginning most Communist members were seeking after truth and had a desire to bring about a better world. This point is very important because no matter who or where a person is, if he is truly seeking after the genuine truth, he will find Jesus Christ. Before 1949, people thought Communism was the truth that could eliminate all injustice, bring about a perfect society, and allow most people to enjoy a good life (at that time, ninety percent of Chinese population were poor). For this cause, many laid aside their families, self-interest, and even their lives.

Through their struggles and sacrifices, they won the victory in 1949. Communism became a very powerful, attractive force for those who cherished high ideals for their lives. Most of the popular movements were carried out because of the hope and high ideals of these people. Their devotion and their sacrificial spirit is something difficult to comprehend by a person living in the "free world". This is not to say they were not sinners, but they did possess a spiritual quality that is rarely found in an atheistic capitalistic society. However, contrary to their hope they failed badly and some of them began to re-examine themselves.  

The failure of Communism was not due to the failure of its ideology, political system, or economics. It was because of failure in human nature. For those who desired to do good, their failure proved the utter failure of man in the presence of God. Where the Communists fell short is at the best of man, not at the worst of man as some have thought!  Failure due to man’s evil is very natural, but failure in the area of man’s "good" deserves everyone's consideration! 

 This explains why --

1) those who had been pursuing Communism would turn to seek after  Christianity, whereas those pursuing material wealth would not;

2) this phenomenon only happened in Communist countries (among those striving for a better world);

3) atheistic Communist systems led man to seek God;

4) other false religion and faulted value systems will not face such crisis (because they were not seeking truth in the first place, only man’s knowledge);

5) one will not see thousands of people turning to Christ in other economically poor countries like India. This is the main reason why the Gospel is spreading in mainland China today !   

The one thing that is most commonly mentioned by new mainland Chinese converts in their testimonies is love. However, before the Communists took over, China did not have love either. Why didn’t the people accept Christianity then? Maybe one can find the answer in the Cultural Revolution.  

Almost two decades have passed since the end of the Cultural Revolution (1996), yet in a sense it has not really concluded. Whenever people talk about China, about themselves, about fate or pain, the Cultural Revolution is always mentioned. From the dialogue and conversations of the past twenty years, we have understand a lot more, but have not necessarily learned what we need to learn! 

The Treasure in the Midst of Suffering  

The Suffering

The Cultural Revolution inflicted deep wounds in many people’s lives, but it also left behind a "treasure" that has yet to be discovered by most people. The Cultural Revolution brought tremendous pain to almost everyone, young and old, leftist or rightist, elitist or communist comrades, people with "good backgrounds" or those with "bad backgrounds" -- everyone! What did this "great pain" tell us? Thank God, a number of years have passed since the end of the Cultural Revolution. People now realize they cannot lay all the blame on Mao Tsedong, for the whole nation of China played a part in the Cultural Revolution. Who makes up the nation of China? Let me illustrate with the following two examples :

 1) The story of Moogon. 

Moogon was about nine or ten years of age when the Cultural Revolution started. At the beginning he was forbidden to participate in the revolution because his father was condemned as a "rightist". Although he was labeled as a "black" child, his heart was still "red". Like most people, he loved Chairman Mao very much and he yearned to be able to participate in the revolution. Unfortunately his zeal did not bring about any change in his position. Worse still, he was humiliated and was kicked in the behind. The kick woke him up to the reality that he was not going to able to serve the proletariats. It hurt him very much.

He found a scapegoat for his feelings in a cat and killed it. This incident changed his fate. He was approved to join the Little Red Guard. He was finally granted the dreamed-of privilege of kicking other people’s behind just like everybody else. However, the change also put him and his father on the opposite sides. Among those being kicked was his rightist father! 

Moogon recalls:

"That night after dinner, I dropped my bowl and chopsticks and tried to rush out of the house. My mother grabbed me and gave me a big slap in the face. It was such a heavy blow that I fell to the ground. I did not know what I had done to deserve this. Mom said, ‘Your dad is among those being persecuted. Do you want to be an accomplice?’ She cried. The next day, my mom was informed that my father had been beaten up and now suffered from a broken rib. . That night I had a dream. I dreamed that it was I who had beaten my father up and cracked his rib. . I cried and woke up. . ."

What agonizing pain it is! It is the most heart-rending pain, because the pain suffered by those we love was inflicted by our own hands! Nevertheless, the ones that were wounded most severely were ourselves. A wound was left in the deepest part of the invisible heart, with an indelible guilt that "refused to be comforted".

   2) An incident in my childhood.  

It happened when I was eleven years old. I went with other adults to "Five- Seven Labor School" to "labor". Children were separated into small groups. I remember that there were six other children in my group. Every day of the week we took turns to be "on duty" to be "criticized". Once a week, everyone would have a chance to be criticized. If it  was your turn, you would stand in front of the others, bow your head, and receive everyone's criticism. For the rest of the week, you would be one of those who did the criticizing. Week after week, we did the same. Not only us, but other groups, other schools, the whole country did the same thing. From top to bottom and from bottom to top, everybody did same thing for ten years! Everyone was given chances to kick and be kicked on his/her behind. 

 This is how the great pain came about! Why would such pain come upon the Chinese? It is because, for thousands of years, the Chinese have refused to admit their mistakes and it took the pain suffered by Moogon to goad us to see that it is not others but ourselves who are the problem. Aside from this, there is no other way for us to know ourselves. 

 This is why the Cultural Revolution and "June Fourth" happened to us! For this was the only way to help the stubborn Chinese to see their own selves.

Nevertheless, many of us still do not realize this fact and have suffered in vain! We talk about how we suffered because of others. How many of us think about the pain we have inflicted on others?  

What the Chinese people need is to know themselves and to admit their sin! The Chinese need to learn to blame themselves. From this perspective, although with tears welling and hearts bleeding, we still need to say -- "the Cultural Revolution" brought good! Thanks be to the Communists because they created the conditions under which everyone could see who he/she really is! No longer will people be able to say that it was all others' fault. The Cultural Revolution was like a huge blender. It stirred up everything that was in everyone. In fact, all the blame we fixed on the Communists should be returned to us. It was wrong to lay all the blame on the Communists and if we continue to do so, we will once again bring ourselves to great harm! This is why although the Cultural Revolution has ended, we are still suffering. Clearly we have not learned the source of the problem and thus could allow the "June Fourth" massacre to happen. 

 On the surface, the appearance of the Cultural Revolution and the "June Fourth" incident is different, but the root cause is still the same problem of the nation as a whole. The only difference lies in the consequences: after the Cultural Revolution, everyone pointed a finger at someone else, while after the massacre of "June Fourth" many people believed in Christ. 

If today we still remain in the same mentality towards what happened in the Cultural Revolution and "June Fourth" massacre, we are waiting for more distress to come! If we walked through the shadow of the valley of death and we still do not recognize that we are sinners and should bow to God to receive his new life, all our suffering will be in vain.  

I once heard a renowned Chinese scholar speak. He experienced all the upheavals in China and, after he completed an in-depth study of western cultures, he concluded that China as a nation needs to have a "concept of God", but he did not need such himself.

 Friends, have you suffered enough? Do you recognize the "treasure"? Do you know the first step you need to take?

Why did God allow these to happen in our lives? Maybe it is a kind of preparation. Maybe the Lord has been preparing us for the future, to be able to help those who will go through the same experiences that we have been through. 

*****

Ms. Young Ker comes from Beijing and is currently studying at a theological seminary in New York.