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T he apostle Paul was a phenomenal communicator for a number of reasons, including the fact that he knew his audience. He knew what they ate for dinner, what they talked about at social gatherings, and what they believed as truth. Even better, he understood that all these things influenced how they would receive the gospel. As it was for Paul, it is to our benefit to be educated when we share the good news of Jesus Christ with students influenced by generations of Asian theology. The intent of this article is to provide an overview of some components of the three most influential Asian theologies. These components should make an impact on how you present Christ to students. It is not an exhaustive list, but it is the first step in exposing you to how particular ideas could present hurdles when sharing the gospel with this cultural group. My hope is that what you learn here will encourage you to continue to investigate the history, belief system, vocabulary, and symbology of the religion of your students in order to best share the saving grace of Christ. Hinduism Hinduism is the oldest and in many ways the least structured of the Asian theologies. In fact, the word Hinduism should not be used to identify a unified religion but rather a set of related general beliefs—that all people desire to gain a closer connection with Brahman (ultimate reality) through Atmen (the spiritual essence of humans). The vague parameters of Hinduism are the first of the major hurdles to introducing Christianity to a Hindu. When one believes that 330 million visible gods can all point to Brahman, Jesus becomes no different from Shiva, a popular Hindu figure, or Buddha. But to be Christian under the umbrella of Hinduism is not Christianity. Therefore, it is essential when evangelizing adherents of Hinduism that you help them understand Jesus apart from idols, God apart from Brahman, and the human soul apart from Atmen. These distinctions are not easy for the cultural Hindu who can easily profess and even practice Christianity as a means to Brahman. The Hindu belief in Karma and its influence on the next life is another major hurdle for acceptance of the Christian message. Karma puts everyone in a continual cycle of rebirth, or reincarnation, which one can escape only by perfection, 44 a status that is rare and achievable only after millions of years. Additionally, the Karma from the previous life of a person determines the social and economic position of that person. These concepts can constrict basic Christian beliefs. Examples that show hindrances include the following. Time and urgency. If this life is one of hundreds, even thousands, there is no urgency to make a decision, let alone a life change. Tendency toward the extremes. Good Karma results in a better placement in the next life cycle. Since intense focus on a single physical, educational, or spiritual achievement could invoke good Karma, this focus is acceptable even when it requires a person to ignore other aspects of life such as family, job, and even eating. Treatment of lower classes. Since one’s life status is a direct result of past Karma, one is to view life status as a punishment or a reward. Therefore, Hindus do not honor empathy and charity. Buddhism Although more definable, Buddhism has its roots in Hinduism and therefore shares some of its basic tenets such as Karma, reincarnation, and a belief in joining one’s essence with something greater. But in this case the greater thing is Nirvana, literally translated as “extinction.” Buddhists do not believe in a god being, but instead strive to extinguish their desires and expunge themselves into the essence of all things. The original Buddha summarized Buddhism well in what is known as the Four Noble Truths: (1) to live is to suffer; (2) suffering comes from desire; (3) to end suffering, end desire; and (4) release from suffering is possible and can be attained by following the Noble Eightfold Path. By eliminating desire, one is enlightened, and thus one can become a Buddha himself. The key concept is “desire,” and it is therefore essential for you as a Christian teacher not only to understand how your students define “desire” but also to use that concept appropriately when presenting the gospel. Within Mahayana Buddhism, which is a major branch of the religion, a person who reaches enlightenment but denies himself or herself Nirvana to help others reach enlightenment receives the title bodhisattva. Buddhists consider a bodhisattva compassionate and wise. What is essential for 2009/2010 | CSE Volume 13 Number 2 | Asian Theology 101 for Christian Teachers you to understand is that by definition a teacher is a bodhisattva. Please reread this section again to understand the enormity of this last statement. The emphasis on education among Asians is in many ways a desire to learn from a bodhisattva. For you as a Christian teacher this fact is seemingly ideal. However, it also means that Buddhist students observe you closely and that you must fulfill the expectations of the title in order to maintain your influence. If the title bodhisattva is a help when evangelizing the Buddhist, the hurdle that takes many Christians by surprise is the history of Buddhism, specifically of the original Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama. Many make the mistake of emphasizing the uniqueness of Jesus without knowing the multiple parallels between the history of Jesus of Nazareth and the legends about Siddhārtha. Knowing these legends could provide you opportunity to tell how Jesus did the same and more, much as Paul did with the Athenians in Acts 17:16–31. Jesus of Nazareth Siddhārtha Gautama Pregnancy virgin birth by Holy Spirit mother impregnated via a dream in which an elephant entered her side Birth travel/awe inspiring travel/miraculous Childhood noncanonical Gospels attest to childhood miracles born able to walk Knowledge 40 days in the wilderness days outside the palace Resisted Temptation from Satan from Mara Writings none none Followers many many that person will be blessed in his or her earthly life. Because a Confucianist believes the opposite is also true, many Asians influenced by this belief, even those who profess Christianity, participate in ancestor worship. Although you do not want to promote these ideas, it would be advantageous to show appropriate respect for your own ancestors. Education. Kong Qui strongly emphasized education as a means of self-improvement. Therefore, the philosophy strongly encourages continued learning but focuses on understanding the here and now. The mysteries of life are not worth attention, so a focus on anything beyond the physical realm is seemingly a waste of time. Unfortunately, this emphasis on the tangible is a hurdle when presenting such concepts as the kingdom of God. Relationships. The Confucian order of respect revolves around what is known as the Five Great relationships: father-son, elder brother-younger brother, husband-wife, elder-younger (or teacher-student), and ruler-subject (rarely but sometimes listed first). Although authority is never to be questioned within Confucianism unless it has abandoned the good of the whole, the teacher relationship is fourth in line. Therefore, it is even more important than in the West that teachers develop relationships with parents, especially with fathers, and even older brothers. Continue Your Study Confucianism Kong Qui, commonly known as Confucius, set out to develop a system of orderly living based on prescribed values and relationships that would dictate both family and government structure. Because Confucianism does not contain some of the typical religious concepts such as a god and a creation account, many classify it as a general life philosophy that does not conflict with practiced religion. However, experience within a Confucian society will quickly show otherwise, and thus this article includes this far-reaching philosophy. Because Confucianism is seemingly unthreatening to Christian beliefs, adherents of it are in many ways the most difficult of the Asian religions to evangelize. Below is a list of beliefs or understandings you should be aware of when presenting the gospel in the context of Confucianism. Ancestors. Confucianism recognizes the existence of the soul, but a Confucianist believes that the soul is the combination of one’s ancestors. Therefore, ancestor worship is a major part of the faith. If a person appeases the ancestors, • Watch documentaries and movies such as Little Buddha. • Read books, articles, and Internet information. Children’s books often provide the simplest and best summaries. • Ask sincere questions of people who practice the religion— not with the agenda of evangelism but with a desire to learn. • Attend an event that gives you insight. You do not need to participate; go as an observer. References/Suggested Reading Martin, Walter. 2003. The kingdom of the cults. Rev. and upd. ed. Gen. ed. Ravi Zacharias. Bloomington, MN: Bethany House Publishers. Molloy, Michael. 2005. Experiencing the world’s religions. 3rd ed. Columbus, OH: McGraw-Hill. Novak, Philip. 1994. The world’s wisdom: Sacred texts of the world’s religions. New York: HarperCollins. Rachel Pedraza Dewey, MAT, has served with Young Life in East Africa and has taught college classes on comparative theology as well as church sessions on Christian doctrine, cult theologies, and Eastern religions. Mrs. Dewey teaches an International Baccalaureate ethics class at Taejon Christian International School in South Korea. Asian Theology 101 for Christian Teachers | CSE Volume 13 Number 2 | 2009/2010 45