Eric's Beijing Diary

Went to church this morning, and after Church, I had lunch with one of the seminary students. We talked for some time about Christianity in China, and how things have changed in recent years. It really does take some time to get a handle on the condition of the church in China. It's not quite like America. China is still a controlled society. And there is definitely a strong proscription against foreigners coming to China to proselytize Chinese nationals. But having said that, the situation is so much more open now then it was before. I told the seminary student that I view China as being very much like the house that has been "swept and garnished" (Luke 11:24-26). The demon has been cast out--there's no question about that. It's not like before. That sense is overwhelming. But what China will become is an open question. I have two dreams for China, one of them very positive and the other a nightmare. China is definitely a culture and a society at the crossroads. This is perhaps one of the most critical periods in the history of this country.