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Quick to Listen

Where China’s Crackdown Leaves the Hong Kong Church

Quick to Listen

Christianity Today

Religion, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.3622 Ratings

🗓️ 17 June 2020

⏱️ 43 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Transcribed highlights of the show can be found in our episode summaries. Last month, the Chinese government approved a plan that would give Mainland China the ability to crush any acts in Hong Kong that it deems a national security risk. Despite international outcry, the legislation will go into effect in September. In one of many responses by Hong Kongers, hundreds of theologians, pastors, and church leaders signed a statement accusing the draft decision of “further depriving Hong Kong of freedom and human rights.”The Christian leaders accused the Chinese government of destroying its promises and undercutting the city as an international financial center. At a time where, quote, “darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, we fearlessly and solemnly declare the following confession and promise to our society, including our full embrace of the Gospel of the Kingdom, our sincere repentance towards the Church’s shortcomings, our absolute refusal to authoritarian government, and our determination to walk together with Hong Kong society.” the statement said. As Hong Kong heads to the fall, the church could use prayers “for guidance and clarity for church leaders and Christians in Hong Kong and how we're going to walk this path. Because I honestly have no idea what's going to happen next,” said Ann Gillian Chu, who is completing her doctor of divinity at the University of St. Andrews in the Center for the Study of Religion and Politics and who has written widely on the theology of Hong Kong’s protest movements. “And I think there is also a general sense of weariness and dread on what’s going to happen,” she said. “And obviously, this is entirely out of our control. And so there's nothing else we can rely on, except for God.” Chu joined digital media producer Morgan Lee and editorial director Ted Olsen to discuss the state of Christianity in Hong Kong, if the protests will unify or split the church, and if any prominent Hong Kong Christians desire a closer relationship between Hong Kong and China. What is Quick to Listen? Read more Rate Quick to Listen on Apple Podcasts Follow the podcast on Twitter Follow our hosts on Twitter: Morgan Lee and Ted Olsen Follow our guest on Twitter: Gillian Chu Music by Sweeps Quick to Listen is produced by Morgan Lee and Matt Linder The transcript is edited by Bunmi Ishola Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This episode is brought to you in part by The Apologetics Guy Show, the podcast that helps you find clear answers to tough questions about Christianity.

0:11.1

Learn to explain your faith with courage and compassion. Join Moody Bible Institute professor Dr. Mikhail del Rosario at apologeticsky.com.

0:31.6

Last month, the Chinese government approved a plan that would give mainland China the ability to crush any acts in Hong Kong that it deems a national security risk. Despite international outcry, the legislation will go into effect in September.

0:35.6

In one of many responses by Hong Kongers,

0:38.7

hundreds of theologians, pastors, and church leaders

0:41.7

signed a statement accusing the draft decision of, quote,

0:45.0

further depriving Hong Kong of freedom and human rights.

0:48.7

The Christian leaders accuse the Chinese government

0:50.7

of destroying its promises and undercutting the city

0:53.2

as an international financial center.

0:55.0

At a time where, and I'm going to quote from this statement,

0:58.0

darkness covers the earth and thick darknesses over the peoples,

1:01.0

we fearlessly and solemnly declare the following confession and promise to our society,

1:06.0

including our full embrace of the gospel of the kingdom,

1:09.0

our sincere repentance towards the church's shortcomings,

1:12.5

our absolute refusal to authoritarian government, and our determination to walk together with Hong Kong society,

1:18.5

the statement said. The Christian leaders also included in the statement, the statement of repentance.

1:25.3

I'm going to quote from that as well. Since the handover of sovereignty in 1997, churches in Hong Kong have been too focused on internal affairs.

1:33.0

We seldom focused on and seek social justice, and we rarely spoke up for the oppressed minorities.

1:38.7

When facing the authority strong governance and the persecution and suppression towards the dissidents, churches often chose to protect themselves.

1:46.0

They engage in self-censorship and remain silent towards the evil deeds of the authority,

1:50.0

with their only wish being the smooth and uninterrupted operation of church ministries.

...

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