I was reading this article about Asian-American college students who are filling more of the Christian campus groups. It disturbed me because sadly what often dominates Asians and Asian-American thinking is that culture somehow takes first precedence over faith. We might not want to believe that it does, but it does. For those of us of Eastern (Asian) descent, we are Asian-American Christians and usually in that order. Somehow there is this idea that to be an Asian-American is to be Asian before being a Christian. Here’s a quote from Tim Stafford’s article that is supposed to typify Asian-American Christian thinking:
In the book Following Jesus Without Dishonoring Your Parents, Greg Jao describes a friend pulled between her parents’ culture and that of her new, non-Asian friends. “My non-Asian friends tell me I need to do what is right for me. And they tell me that I need to love Jesus more than I love my family. But the youth pastor at my home church says that the Bible tells me to honor and obey my parents.” Jao explains that doing something “because I should” or “because it is expected” signals maturity in Asian cultures, while doing something “because it feels right or honest to me” suggests maturity in modern Western cultures.
If I am not mistaken, Jesus is the one who tells us to love Him more than even our own mother or father, if it should come to that. This is not a Western idea, but a biblical one. But when we start putting culture above Scripture, we stand on shaky ground.
There are certainly times where living in a dominant culture, I have felt prejudice and bigotry. But I have also felt love and acceptance from many in that same culture. There needs to be sensitivity, but the pendulum must not swing so far towards cultural sensitivity that my identity rests on my culture rather than my understanding of the Gospel. Thus, I know that as a child of God first, a believer of the Gospel second, a husband and father and pastor, I have so much in light of the truth, that nothing can take away my prime identity as one in Christ. I am Asian, the Lord made me this way. It is a part of me. And it is a blessing, not a curse (it took me much of my life to come to realize this). But may it never control who I am, may it never be my ultimate identity.
I am not an Asian-American Christian. I am a Christian who is also Asian who lives in America. I know some who run away from their Asian heritage in shame (and to their shame), and some who wave that banner far too proudly (chauvinistic pride). I hope I wave the banner of Christ high, alongside my fellow Caucasian, African, Latino brothers and sisters who are also waving the banner of CHRIST (not their heritage) high.
Great thoughts — we primarily and most deeply have our identity in Christ, “hid in Christ” to borrow a biblical term.
What we have yet to see, hear, and experience is more thoughtfully theological reflection about how the Gospel transforms those of us who are Asian Americans into Kingdom-minded people who can critique and renew our Asian cultures. Could you imagine the powerful testimonies of Christian Asians who would be freed of racial prejudice, patriarchial hierarchy, shows grace to those who err, and affirm the calling of those who differ, especially among their descendants?
That is not an easy thing to do, but it needs to be done, and it must be done.
Posted by djchuang | May 28, 2006, 5:31 pmDJ, I cannot imagine that. When I hear of Asian-American issues, sometimes it is extremely difficult as to whether I am listening to a Christian speak about Christ’s influence over our lives (even though we are Asian), or a secular, religious sociologist whose only agenda is to push the “ism” of Asian-Americanism. I am thankful that the apostle Paul used his Jewish background and Roman citizenship only as a vehicle to push the Gospel into the forefront. His ethnicity was a tool to advance the Gospel. It was never his ultimate identifier.
Posted by admin | May 29, 2006, 10:46 amThanks for taking the time to reply! You’ve said it far more articulately than I could have, and that the Gospel must be at the forefront, and that it affects every part of our thoughts, behavior, being, and identity. Paul’s example in
Galatians 2:11-16 is a great example of pushing the Gospel to the forefront, and I find it amazing that he would confront Peter to his face for not eating with Gentiles, i.e. cultural habits and practices are changed in light of the Gospel.
Posted by djchuang | May 31, 2006, 4:30 amYes!!! Oh to change the culture in light of the Gospel. If we could see this happen in all cultures, the world would be quite a different place.
Posted by admin | May 31, 2006, 8:36 amAs a Christian who happens to be an Asian myself and lives in America, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Thanks for sharing your insightful thoughts on your blog! Will visit again. God bless!
Posted by Jessica | September 29, 2006, 11:40 amJessica, thanks for your comment!
Posted by admin | October 2, 2006, 11:08 amthanks for this post – I appreciate the perspective shared
Posted by Vicki | July 11, 2010, 7:44 am