"You do know...right?"
NO Beliefs Yet ALL Belief
Lately, I have spent more time personally studying the history of China. You would think that by now a missionary to China would have spent hours studying the history of the one place he is going to reach and, although it is true I have spent a significant amount of time already learning about China’s history, I knew to understand it as well as it should be understood would require many hours of dedicated time. Also, the history of China is extensive and can be traced back thousands of years. It isn’t exactly comparable to popping open a U.S. history textbook starting in 1491 with Columbus aboard the Niña, Pinta, and Santa Maria. So, let me explain what drove me to conclude that this endeavor is more important than I ever realized before. If there is anything I have realized about the way I think as a Christian from a Judeo-Christian society and the average Joe in China, it is that the worlds we grew up in, although similar in many ways, lie poles apart. When Paul walked into Athens, Greece around 50 A.D. he was armed with the most powerful weapon known to mankind, THE GOSPEL, but he didn’t just walk into Athens and start handing out pamphlets or get up and articulate as well as he could about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus with no thought that the Gospel will not need explaining. Nor did he separate his presentation and explanation of the gospel from the current culture and beliefs of Athens at the time. Let’s take a look again together at Acts 17 - -
Acts 17:18-20
18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
19 And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our ears: we would know therefore what these things mean.
In the next verse, we get some insight into the culture of Athens in Paul’s day “21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)”
following this Paul begins his message to the Athenians on Mars Hill: vs.22-33
”Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them.”
Consider This:
As a learned individual, Paul had a profound understanding of the Athenian society of his time, characterized by its rich philosophical traditions and polytheistic beliefs. His approach to preaching in Athens was notably strategic:
Cultural Awareness: Paul was deeply troubled by the prevalence of idols in Athens. This observation sparked his desire to engage with the local populace about their spiritual beliefs. He recognized that the Athenians were very religious, as evidenced by their numerous altars, including one dedicated "To an Unknown God," which he used as a starting point for his message.
Philosophical Engagement: Invited to speak at the Areopagus, a prominent location for philosophical debate, Paul tailored his message to resonate with the intellectual elite of Athens. He articulated concepts familiar to them, such as creation and judgment, while introducing the idea of a singular, true God who does not dwell in temples made by human hands. His ability to communicate effectively with both Jews and Gentiles showcased his dual expertise in Jewish and Greek thought.
Response to Curiosity: The Athenians were known for their love of new ideas and philosophical discussions. Paul's novel teachings about Jesus' resurrection intrigued some philosophers, leading them to invite him to share his message publicly. His speech at the Areopagus is considered one of his most significant sermons, highlighting both his rhetorical skill and theological insights.
Why we do not at all minimize the power of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, we should also recognize as missionaries that Paul’s understanding of Athenian thought enabled him to navigate these complex cultural waters effectively.
Last week I was on a video call with a teacher from China who asked me what I did for a living. I explained that I was learning Chinese so that I could teach the Bible in Chinese to others. He immediately responded with, “Chinese do not have any belief, you do know that…right?”. You must understand that he wasn’t trying to be rude. In fact, I have gotten this response multiple times already in the past. It is usually said with a “don’t you know?” attitude, as if, if I knew this, it would probably change my mind about teaching the Bible to Chinese people. So, how did they get here? At least, that is what I want to know. I want to know as well as I can how China arrived at this juncture as a society and what historical events, philosophies, religions, people, and movements have shaped the worldview of Chinese people. For those who are reading this and also interested in impacting China or even Chinese-speaking people with the good news of the Gospel, this would be a worthy endeavor, as the Chinese language has also been greatly affected by the Country’s history. May we prepare ourselves as thoroughly as possible to be effectively used in preaching the Gospel to the Chinese people!
City of The Month - Beijing 北京
As of early 2025, the population statistics for Beijing are as follows:
Metro Area Population: The current metro area population of Beijing is approximately 22,596,000, reflecting a 1.83% increase from 2024, which had a population of about 22,189,000 1.
Resident Population: The resident population of Beijing stood at around 21.858 million at the end of 2023, indicating a modest increase of 15,000 from the previous year 2.
Urbanization Rate: Beijing has an urbanization rate of 87.8%, significantly higher than the national average of 66.16%, highlighting its role as a major urban center 2.
Demographic Insights
Age Distribution: Children aged 14 and under make up about 12% of the population, while the elderly population (aged 60 and above) is approximately 4.948 million, accounting for about 22.6% of residents 2.
Population Density: With a high density of nearly 6,000 people per square kilometer, Beijing is one of the most densely populated cities in China 3.
These statistics underscore the dynamic and growing nature of Beijing's population, which presents both opportunities and challenges in various sectors, including social services, infrastructure, and spiritual outreach
Today, Beijing is home to millions, yet the Christian community remains a minority. While estimates suggest that there are millions of Christians in China, many are concentrated in coastal regions, leaving cities like Beijing with an urgent need for spiritual outreach. The recent shift in societal focus from materialism to seeking deeper meaning in life presents an opening for the gospel. Many individuals are grappling with existential questions and searching for hope amidst uncertainty.
The Great Need for the Gospel
Spiritual Hunger: As people in Beijing begin to question their purpose and seek fulfillment beyond material success, there is a growing hunger for spiritual truth. This is an opportune moment for Christians to step forward and share how Jesus offers hope, purpose, and eternal life.
Cultural Influence: Beijing serves as a cultural and political epicenter not just for China but for the world. The influence of its residents extends far beyond its borders. By reaching out to those in Beijing with the gospel, we can impact not only local communities but also nations as these individuals carry their faith into various spheres of influence.
Challenges Faced by Local Churches: The church in Beijing faces significant challenges, including government restrictions on religious activities and societal pressures that often prioritize secular achievements over spiritual pursuits. However, these challenges also present opportunities for innovative ministry approaches that can resonate with a new generation seeking authenticity.
GET INVOLVED
Believers are called to respond to this great need with urgency and compassion:
Pray: Intercede for the people of Beijing, asking God to open hearts and minds to receive the gospel.
Engage: Support local churches and missionaries who are actively sharing their faith amidst challenges.
Educate: Raise awareness about the spiritual landscape of Beijing within your communities, encouraging others to consider how they can contribute to global missions.
Participate: Consider short-term mission trips or partnerships with organizations focused on evangelism in urban centers like Beijing. I can help you get connected with a mission trip THIS YEAR!
Conclusion
Beijing presents many challenges but consider this, the resident population increase last year alone equaled three times the size of my hometown. We can’t allow the difficulties to deter us from taking the Gospel to Beijing or getting involved in some way to impact Beijing.