wfn.org | Sing a New Song, Not One of Taiwan's Decline

[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Taiwan Church News 2646, November 17, 2002
Reported by Tainan Bureau Staff, Translated and rewritten by
David Alexander

   The Rev. Dr. C. S. Song, current president of the World
Alliance of Reformed Churches and a promoter of Taiwan's self
determination for 40 years, was the speaker when East Gate
Presbyterian Church in Tainan City celebrated its 100th
anniversary on November 10th. His sermon was entitled, "Sing a
New Song Unto The Lord."
   Dr. Song used the text from Psalm 96 to look at the nature and
legacy of the September 11th terrorist attacks in New York and
Washington D.C. and the opprobrium with which many people of Arab
ethnicity view the United States.  "Part of the hatred," he said,
"stems from the Arab perception of the United States is a
Christian nation.  American missionaries have preached that only
Christians will be admitted to heaven, and have consigned
believers of all other religions to hell.  But Arabs understand
themselves as descendants of Abraham, must they be condemned
forever to hell?  This type of mission style had engendered
enmity opposition and vengeance in many hearts, and contributed
to the events of September 11th.  Terrorism is the outworking of
ill fortune.  This is clearly seen in the car and suicide
bombings that occur in Israel."
   Dr. Song pointed out that the early Christian missionaries to
Taiwan conflated the veneration of ancestors practiced by
Taiwanese people with the worship of idols, which was pervasive.
This created a situation where many who thought to become
Christians hesitated. It set up many psychological barriers to
belief.  The Taiwanese people venerate their ancestors, they
memorialize them, but these practices are not the same as worship
of idols.
   Based on this foundation, Dr. Song asserted that celebrating
the 100th anniversary of East Gate Church should not just mean
holding a ceremony or redecorating the building. The mission
proclamation style and the hearts of the members must be
renewed.  In the name of Christ the psychological barriers to
belief must be stormed and taken, that all might accept the
salvation available in Jesus Christ and become reconciled to God.

   His final summons was to the citizens of Tainan to select a
new mayor who could work for the renewal of the city.  When
voters go to the polls in Taiwan's next presidential election in
2004 they should not opt for a Taiwan unified with China,
swallowed by China, made into one province of China.  They should
opt for the legacy of their ancestors who walked their own road.
If not,  the established democracy, freedom and independence here
will become an evanescent unreality and the "New Song" will
become a lost echo.

For more information: East Gate Presbyterian Church
east.gate@msa.hinet.net
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Chinese
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