China (MNN) — A new set of religious regulations takes effect today in China. These 38 “Detailed Rules” from China’s National Religious Affairs Administration (NRAA) address how foreigners can and cannot participate in religious activities in China.
Erik Burklin with China Partner says some of the 38 articles aren’t as alarming as they appear at first glance, and others are not new.
“The statement [by some news sources in response to the new regulations] that foreigners are no longer allowed to preach as of May 1 is not completely the whole story. It depends on what you’re there for,” he says.
“If you’re there officially invited by the official church, registered church, then you may preach if you get permission. If you’re working more with the house church movement or the unregistered churches, then it gets more tricky.”
Burklin adds, “I think this new foreign regulation that Xi Jinping is pushing on everyone is really a way to control more what’s happening with the unregistered churches, unfortunately. I think that’s always been his concern.”
Indeed, clerics within the Chinese Catholic Church consider the regulations to be a “pretext” for arrests if foreigners do not follow.
(Photo courtesy of China Partner via Facebook)
“What it says, ‘the invitees shall meet the following conditions: comply with Chinese laws, regulations and rules, respect Chinese principles of religious independence and self-governance, have no hostile speech or actions towards China…’ that’s not surprising,” Burklin says.
“Obviously you can interpret it one way or the other. Most of us who are evangelical believers, we say, ‘well, that’s very restrictive.’”
But for many Chinese believers, that system is the context they follow Christ in. They have been following Christ for decades with resilience. On that note, Burklin explains that the term self-governance, “that’s actually not a negative term… and that’s why the Chinese church has become so strong — [it] is because they’re depending on the Word of God in their own culture, in their context.”
(Photo courtesy of China Partner)
Find your place in the story
More regulations and control by the Chinese Communist Party over the religious sphere are not in themselves good. But Burklin cautions against fear.
“[It] doesn’t matter what political leader you want to throw in there, God is above them. In fact, not only is He above them, but He holds their heart in His hand, and He even controls their decision-making process. So we as Christians have to have that perspective, I feel, to trust God completely,” he says.
“Of course, we [can] react and say, ‘Oh no, what’s that going to mean for mission activity in China? Or what’s that going to mean for the church in China?’ On and on it goes, and then we start speculating. But I think Jesus wants us to stay faithful. Number one, stay faithful in praying for China.”
Header photo courtesy of China Partner.
