China's Three-self Patriotic Movement

Among the great exploits of faith in missionary endeavour the achievements of Hudson Taylor, founder of the China Inland Mission, have brought inspiration to countless believers in Christ. His great missionary movement, along with other Christian organizations, had for many years operated freely in China, often with foreign leaders in control.

All this changed when Mao Tse-tung's communist regime gained power in 1949. Foreign missionaries were expelled. Protestants and Anglicans had to dissolve their separate denominations and unite under the "Three-Self Patriotic Movement" (the T.S.P.M.). This was founded in 1954 and meant that government approved religious groups must be "self-supporting, self-governing, self-propagating". They were ridded of any foreign influence or control. In 1957 the "Patriotic Catholic Association" was formed, renouncing all links with the Vatican. Churches which complied with government policy could function under close supervision.

Much worse was to come! The so-called "cultural revolution" which swept across China from 1966-69 aimed to eliminate all religious worship, whether Christian, Buddhist, Muslim or other faiths. Church buildings were destroyed or handed over for secular use. Bonfires of Bibles burned in Shanghai and elsewhere. Other Bibles were sent to pulping mills. At a public burning of Bibles in Amoy Christian workers were forced to kneel by the books until their hands and cheeks were blistered by the fire. Even the T.S.P.M. churches disappeared. Thousands of clergy and church members were sent to labour camps.

Again it was demonstrated, however, that "the word of God is not bound". Much evangelical truth was preserved in a remarkable "house church" movement. Believers met secretly, at first in very small numbers in private homes. As conditions later eased the house churches gradually grew. At the time of Jezebel's persecution in Israel God told Elijah, "Yet will I leave me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him" (1 Kings 19:18). Through the trials of the cultural revolution in modern China God similarly preserved believers as they met secretly in their house groups.

After eleven years of religious oppression a new regime led by Deng Xioaping introduced a revised policy. Religion would again be tolerated but with certain conditions. By 1980 the T.S.P.M. was revived, again under government supervision. Its activities have to some extent been hampered by the scarcity of church buildings in which to re-gather their flock. As for the house churches, they at first tended to expand and flourish in this new atmosphere of toleration. The government attempted to woo them into affiliation with the T.S.P.M. in order to retain overall control, but as a matter of conscience many of the groups felt unable to comply. A new persecution has resulted. Since 1983 reports have emerged from many areas of widespread arrests and some cases of torture. One letter from a Christian in Shanghai tells of public notices ordering Christians not to share their faith beyond their own city or listen to short-wave gospel broadcasts.

There is a parallel situation with the Catholics. The government tolerates the "Patriotic Catholic Association" which functions independently of the Vatican, but an underground Catholic movement which remains loyal to the Pope is persecuted. A certain Bishop Fan (aged 76) is reported to have been sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for ordaining underground priests. Hundreds of these priests travel around the country arranging secret masses for their adherents and many have been caught and punished.

How vast the spiritual conflict for the minds of China's 900 million people! Hundreds of millions are estimated still to be devoted to Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, and Islam claims ten million adherents. Millions more have from childhood been schooled in atheism. Yet the Spirit of God works ceaselessly for the furtherance of the gospel of the glory of the blessed God. By personal witness, literature and radio broadcasts the gospel has increasing impact. It is estimated that eighty per cent of homes in China now have a radio. Listeners' responses to gospel radio programmes confirm that the light of salvation is being brought to many.

Once more in the sovereignty of God light is shining in the spiritual darkness of China and the darkness is not overcoming it. "As it is written, Therefore will I give praise unto Thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto Thy name. And again He saith, ... Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and let all the peoples praise Him" (Rom. 15:9-11).

Shall we give China a regular place in our prayers, "that the word of the Lord may run and be glorified" among its peoples despite all Satan's attempts to hinder?

unknown | May 1985
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