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Two Chinese lay missionaries — Li Xinheng from Hunan and Meng Lisi from Hubei, central China — were kidnapped by terrorists in Pakistan on May 24. Later they were allegedly killed by their captors.
Official Chinese media played down the condemnation of the terrorists but laid blame on the zeal of Seo Jun-won, a Korean missionary who the young Chinese pair worked under. The Li's and Meng's 'lack of judgment' was similarly criticized. Chinese media also said China would cooperate with Pakistan on any investigations into "illegal evangelization".
The righteousness typically associated with the anti-terrorism cause has become "anti-missionary", which reveals a meanness and twisted cunning. Even if the two young Chinese had violated visa regulations or other taboos, this is no excuse for their killing.
Meanwhile, the church denomination of which Li and Meng belong to has remained silent, reflecting the adverse environment of freedom in both China and Pakistan. Seo Jun-won and his wife, who run the school that Li and Meng attended, were arrested by Pakistani authorities on June 12 and now face deportation.
In China, the ministry of the Protestant church that Li and Meng were a part of and the branch of the Korean church in the Pakistani city of Quetta have been caught up in what is being labeled a controversy. Meanwhile, a cross-denomination mission team in China has identified Quetta as "not suitable for preaching."
However, any criticism of the Chinese and Korean Protestant churches and the alleged martyrdom of the two missionaries are disrespectful and inappropriate. Martyrs are people who enlightened our conscience and should not be viewed as troublemakers.
The Protestant church, in its sadness, should not forget to condemn the brutality of the terrorists and the indifference of the authorities in both Pakistan and China. The church should also review how to better equip missionaries in completing their world mission.
Protestants could refer to the spirit of the Cape Town Commitment (CTC) and Christopher Wright's theological interpretation on "the Mission of God" to reflect on the church's ethics and evangelization mission as well as the environment and concrete action in our services.
First, what is the mission of evangelization? Evangelization is for the church to spread the Gospel to the world. The CTC is a comprehensive document that reflects the proceedings of the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization, which took place in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2010. In the CTC's opening section, it states that "We participate in the mission of God." It is to go out of the church and reach out to the world. And our mission must reflect the "integration" of evangelism and engagement with the world.
Our mission is to attract all tribes, languages, nations, and races to God. We love all that God has chosen and blessed, including the different cultures. This love requires us to abandon racism and ethnic superiority and to treat each nation and culture with dignity and respect.
Second, how could we construct Christian ethics and the mission of God? The teachings of the Bible on social and economic justice, personal and political integrity, as well as compassion, are forever-lasting. The mission of Christians is to preach the Gospel of God. It is not only for individual salvation but also to live a righteous life that leads to a holy transformation of society.
Ethical values and actions should not turn into moralism of an individual. A macro approach of our mission is not decided by the success or failure to convert an individual but to manifest God's kingdom, which is about justice, peace and joy of the Holy Spirit.
Love and justice are the manifestations of the power of God. Evangelization helps build love and justice in the human world. We model on Christ by giving life to the poor and the oppressed, participate in struggles for justice and peace, save people from social, economic and political yokes.
In this context, the hostage incident in Pakistan should inspire the faith community to speak out in public rather than confining any words on it within church walls. As children of God, we are called to manifest His love and righteousness. Wherever there is evil and injustice, Christians should have to courage to rebuke it, and show support to the marginalized and oppressed people.
Third, all believers are bearers of the mission. The erroneous idea of separating the ordained and the laity has infiltrated into Chinese believers' thoughts and actions. God calls all believers to participate in His mission to become the light and salt of the world, though each one receives different call to serve God.
Implementation of our mission is not limited to the church, but needs to take place in our daily life and our workplace. Full-time missionaries bear God's mission together with the laity. They do not exclude each other as bearers of the same mission are pluralistic, multi-leveled, multi-dimensional, in communion and in unity.
Fourth, we are called to establish the harmony of Christ in the world. We are in a fragmented world, where the diversity of ethnic harmony is destroyed by our sin and pride, leading to chaos, strife, violence and wars. However, diversity is also present in Christ as all races will come together as the people of God to reconcile with Him.
Having a reconciled life is to forgive the persecutors, have the courage to challenge injustice, help neighbors in conflicts, express goodwill, overcome obstacles, seek reconciliation or continue to witness Christ in a hostile environment.
We are called to be humble, but not naive. We must distinguish right from wrong and not be easily fooled. We need to guard against possible threats but not be controlled by fear. We must establish friendship in the spirit of God's love with people of other religious backgrounds and refuse to be prejudicial and hateful. Even if subjected to violence, we should not retaliate.
In a suitable environment, we can conduct dialogue with people from other faiths and listen with respect without losing confidence in the unity of Christ and the truth of the Gospel.
Five, willing to suffer is a severe test. God can use His sufferings, persecution and martyrdom to advance His mission. Many faithful pay the price as a witness for Christ in a culture that is anti-Christian. Following Christ's example, many faithful still love those who hurt them.
In times of persecution, defending religious freedom and walking the path of the cross is not contradictory. Individuals being humiliated or losing their rights for Christ do not contradict our efforts to speak out for them.
The Chinese and Korean Christian churches are in distress. Potential missionary strategic partners are facing new challenges. But God's mission will not stop. Violence cannot destroy the determination of the people of God to accept His call to carry the cross and get into different corners of the world with mercy to be a witness for Christ and to spread His teachings.
Luke Zheng is a Protestant preacher in China.
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