Glocal Christianity

Palm Sunday: India

"In Ranchi, India, Christian devotees waved palm fronds, which represent the palm leaves people laid at Jesus' feet as he entered Jerusalem in his final week of life."

Source: BBC

How Special are Martyrs?

Painting of Chinese Martyrs of 1307, Chapel of the Martyrs of Nepi in Katowice Panewniki.

It's sobering to reflect that martyr means witness, that is, in terms of authentic discipleship, nothing special.

Jesus asked, “Who do people say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”

Jesus said the Son of Man must suffer many things.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

Jesus rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

What are our concerns? 

Witnessing without the Word

This image, from the book "China's Millions" (1892), shows open air preaching in China using "The Wordless Book".

The Wordless Book consists of several blocks of pure color that, in sequence, represent a nonverbal introduction to basic Christian teachings about sin (black), Christ's death (red), justification by faith (white) and heaven (gold). 

Now, ignoring for one moment that this summary completely bypasses the resurrection, and by implication, the really good news, its worth considering if we can learn anything from this as we engage our own post-literate, multi-media culture. If Spurgeon, with his impecabble Evangelical credentials, saw the limitations of text-based evangelism, why can't contemporary Evangelicalism?

Can you help with this Chinese Crucifixion Scroll?

Yesterday I received an email from a Dutch reader seeking some background on a "Japanese or Chinese scroll" featuring the crucifixion of Christ. To me it seems Chinese, rather than Japanese, and it obviously post-dates European contact, but beyond that I can't place it. Can anybody help out? You can view a few of the close ups here.

Chinese Christian Nativity

Like this? I found this Chinese Christian Nativity scene via Adam Williams. I have no idea who the artist is unfortunately. It's an interesting blend of Eastern and Western styles.

The Last Supper, Eastern Style

"The Last Supper" by Tigermyuou

The artist writes: "I created my painting as Eastern style. (Thai and Persia Art) It' have many symbolic more than old artists. I design Jesus standing post with cub's grave wind, he is standing on the dove and graves carpet. It's mean to the human and God will together but he must to stretched onto and then nailed to the cross. He pleads for mercy for the Sinners of the World. Christian belive the bible it's the new testament God to Human. (sorry for my english)"

Christmas Art - Indian Style

This is one of a series of images from the Infancy Narratives of Bela Yesu. This one features Joseph and Mary on their way to Bethlehem. Check out the rest of the blog as well, it's fascinating.

For more Indian Christian Art see:

Christian Art | Asian

Christmas through Sri Lankan eyes

Sri Lanka. Not a country you'd normally associate with Christmas. But yes, there are communities there who worship Christ.

Consider what Christmas looks like to them, and their Buddhist and Hindu neighbours.

Photo from here.

A religious revolution in China

Great summary here on the religious revolution in China, covering the Christian house church movement, Buddhist resurgence, Chinese ancestor worship, and more.

Lots going on for a country that is officially Atheist.

I find it fascinating. Here's on fact you may not have known: "China is the only place in the world that has a tradition of independent female mosques, with their own ahong, or imams, to lead prayers and teach the Quran to women."

Atheist attacks on Christians in China

Grab your attention? Fox news recently reported that the fastest growing Christian Churches in China are being crushed by Communist authorities who fear any independent social group that could challenge their political / ideological authority. Tibetan Buddhism and Islam come in for similar treatment. Commericalization hasn't improved their tollerance for religion it seems.