A Weekly Meditation of Pastor Chang (August 2, 2009)

<Reflections over This Mission Trip> (1)

After this mission trip to Taiwan and China I have some thoughts as my reflection over the situation there.

As we know after the KMT Party resumes their political power in Taiwan this year, the relationship between Taiwan and China becomes warmer. Ten some years ago, after Tien-An-Men Incident, the Communist Regime in China faced several crises, one of that was the economic problem, many foreign investments pulled out. During this moment, only some Taiwanese businessmen took millions of dollars to China and made a new venture of investment there. And because of that, the economics of China was revived. Since then, both Taiwan and China turn to be more interactive in every aspect which includes the programs of political dialogue, cultural exchange, intermarriage, religious activities, and science studies, etc.

As a church pastor, when I see the physical movement moving between Taiwan and China, I also pay more attention on the movement of “the spiritual world” which is always behind the visible scenery. It was true that the recent Chinese economic revival was because of the Taiwanese investment; but now, the folk religion, Buddhism, and Taoism in Taiwan are riding on the economic waves and try to create another spiritual revival for themselves in China. Namely, these religious people bring a lot of money from Taiwan to build or reconstruct more beautiful temples and shrines in China. By doing so, they want to claim back their lost spiritual territories. 

One brother at our church once made a very interesting statement which I agree. He said, “Taiwan has become a resort city of the evils.” In other words, this statement describes well the spiritual situation of Taiwan now.  Normally, Taiwanese people are very kind and friendly. But one bad character is: always seeking for any short cut in order to gain quick benefit. And because of that kind of mentality, people turn to be religious – seeking for any spiritual power in order to gain quick prosperity. People worship and pursue any spiritual power which can provide benefit and quick blessings. I believe that it is because of this mentality, many kinds of evil move and lodge in Taiwan. For example, gambling once swept over everywhere in Taiwan 10 some years ago. Now if one walks on the streets in Taipei, one can see many Tibetan Buddhist monks walk around. Why? Taiwanese people seek for mythic power even from Tibetan Buddhism.

Nowadays, the folk religion, Taoism, and Buddhism always mingle together and predominate 95% of the Taiwanese population. These religions all can find their roots in China. Now, since China is more open and tolerant for religious activities, the evil powers which ran away during the Cultural Revolution now are seeking for the opportunities to go back to China to restore their “old homes.”

For examples, “Ma-Chu,” this sea-goddess traditionally regarded as “heavenly queen” gains more worshippers now. Annually her moving-shrine has been carried and moved around the entire Taiwan Island as a kind of pilgrimage for the worshipers to worship; and each pilgrimage receives millions and millions of dollars of offerings. This kind of activity has been regarded as the 3^rd largest worldwide religious gathering. A few years ago, Ma-Chu proclaimed that she wants to be back to her original home for a visit that is located at May-Chou city, Fu-Chien Providence, China. Each time of her return, millions of dollars were brought back to China for temple building and constructions. Likewise, Quan-Kong, another god of fortune, is doing the same thing.

A few years ago, a very huge Buddhist temple in central Taiwan brought tons of money to Ch’eng-tu, Szechwan Providence to build a huge temple there. Unfortunately, after it was completed, a terrible earthquake occurred 2 years ago. It seems that the evil doesn’t bring any good spiritual blessing back to China.

By God’s grace, although those religions are very active now both in Taiwan and China, the Lord is still in charge of everything in everywhere. The Christian church keeps growing. Everyday, thousands of people become Christians because they find true peace and freedom in Christ. Many churches still keep doing ministry well and uphold the biblical principles, teaching and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, please keep praying so that the Lord may mightily move in Taiwan and China. I believe that God is going to use both Taiwan and China in the new century for advancing His glory and Kingdom. Next week, if the Lord’s willing, I will share with you about the movement of Christ in China and Taiwan.