Customer Reviews

True Son of Heaven: How Jesus Fulfills the Chinese Culture

5 star:		(3)
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1 star:		(4)

 

 

While I'm not Chinese, my taiji teacher for the past 30 years who is 81 years old and originally from Shandong Province, clearly is. He was also raised a Christian while growing up in Shandong, and was one of the first Chinese to help establish churches in Taiwan after the Communist takeover of the mainland.

Much of the flavor of the stories and anecdotes my taiji teacher has told over the years describing China both to me and to the rest of his students resonates throughout this book. While I'm sure many Chinese readers will not like or appreciate the author's views, at the same time I'd have to say he's been very sensitive to the overall culture of China. The author is clearly a man who loves China.

It seems these days that when someone disagrees with what someone else says or thinks, it is fashionable to charge that person with bigotry or insensitivity. There are countless books in the West describing both Confucianism and Taoism, which also describe parallels between these philosophies and with Christianity. Are those authors who support Confucious or Lao-tzu being "bigoted" or "insensitive" in regards to Christianity? If not, why should a Christian who finds Christianity in core Chinese cultural ideas be smeared with these accusations? Frankly, given my extensive past readings of Lao-tzu, Kung Fu-tzu, Chuang-tzu and others, I doubt they themselves would be "outraged" at the author's Christian assertions.

On the other hand, there are some individuals so clearly afraid that China is on the verge of losing its national identity to the forces of modernization that they feel they must attack anything which in their view departs from the party line concerning traditional China. I would say to them, relax: China is not going to disappear into a giant McDonalds parking lot simply because some individuals view it from a Christian perspective or some Chinese convert to Christianity. My taiji teacher's taiji teacher-- a direct student of Yang Ben Hou, by the way-- always told his students "the secret to mastering taijiquan was Jesus Christ". That assertion wasn't enough to make many of his Chinese students convert to Christianity. Master Liu was a very traditional Chinese gentleman who also happened to be a Christian. The Chinese world didn't fall apart because of Sifu Liu's beliefs, nor will it fall apart now simply because the author sees Christ in some very old and traditional Chinese symbols.

I most highly recommend this book, both to Christians who want to understand Chinese culture on a more familiar level than the academic descriptions so prevelant out there, and also to those Chinese who are curious about Christianity and would like a bridge to understand it from a more Chinese perspective. I don't think the book "forces" any person, Chinese or otherwise, to embrace Christianity against their will. It simply expresses the author's love of both China and of Christ. The book is well written and has a poetic flavor to its stories, which I appreciated.

David Marshall seems to be stretching at every shred to tie traditional Chinese culture together with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For example, there are holy mountains in China, there are holy mountains in the Bible. There are four golden pillars in the Temple of Heaven in China, there are four Gospels. Confucious had disciples and wrote proverbs, Jesus had disciples, talked in parables and the Bible has proverbs. Chinese paint things red, red is the color of redemption symbolized by the sprinkling of blood in the Jewish temple. Chinese have Guan Yin, the goddess of mercy, Jesus is merciful, could Jesus be a Guan Yin myth? The Chinese word "fu" for good fortune has a character for divine on the left, followed by "one" "mouth" and "field", so this must mean God put Adam in the Garden of Eden. A Han astronomer describes the conjoining of Jupiter and Saturn and decides to travel west on the Silk Road, hmmmm.... he must have been one of the wise men who came to Jerusalem "from the east". Confucius described an ideal man, "Sheng Ren", perhaps he was looking for Jesus? The Emperor of China is called the "Son of Heaven", maybe he was foreshadowing Jesus.

It's nice that Mr. Marshall sees Jesus everywhere, but his presentation is not convincing. The highlight of the book is a discussion on the authenticity of the Gospel. He claims to defend the Gospel with the "help of a few fairy tales, a calendar, and the Analects of Confucius". However he does not properly relate the evidence other than that the Gospels are not like any other literary genre, that the earliest of the Gospels was written a scant 30-40 years after Christ, whereas the earliest copy of the Analects were 750 years after Confucius. The apologetic is accurate, but Lee Strobel does a much more thorough job in "The Case for Christ", whereas Mr. Marshall is only interested in tying in as much "Chinese-ness" into it as he can.

Other portions of this book read like a travelogue, such as when an old lady guard refused to let the author into a provincial building and three tourists from Manchuria were killed in a park and since the author had trouble obtaining a room because he was a foreigner, he surmises that the Manchurian tourists were similarly denied beds at the hostel. There is also a section on the development of Buddhism, and the Chinese adaptation to it, as well as some thoughts on the cultural revolution and Communism, with anecdotes. Interspersed throughout are his thoughts and observations about Chinese culture and the people he met on his travels.

A semi-entertaining read, with a good apologetic for the Gospel, woven with the presentation of why sinners need Jesus, but overall a stretch in association of Jewish and Biblical archetypes with Chinese traditional culture and language coincidences.

Having read this and other books by Marshall, as well as having corresponded with him directly for some time, I can vouch that this man is _not_ the 'fundamentalist' he is accused of being in some other reviews. For one thing, as I know from long personal experience, a true fundamentalist would never dream of giving the Chinese any credit for having gotten something right religiously.Not being an expert on Chinese history and philosophy, I cannot comment on his presentation further than to say that his reasoning is consistent with the data he gives (others will have to comment on the accuracy of his data); and that his attitude is very charitable and appreciative toward Chinese culture, both in general and in particular details.Also, he provides a wide range of data from sources, including ones not necessarily favorable to his own evangelical concerns. The updated version of his book provides source references from non-Christian scholars regarding the history of religion in China, for instance.Marshall is a rather more interesting character than any fundamentalist I have ever met. He was, and is, a student (and scholar) of comparative religion--who actually gets some 'religion' through the process! And I think his book should be shown respect by other people who respect and love China; even if they disagree with particular details. He should be talked with, not dismissed.

I would hardly call David Marshall a fundamentalist! He takes any sort of story or tradition and tries to fit Jesus into it. If anything, it is not right to syncretize Jesus with other religious characters and goddesses like Guan Yin. Just because there are certain elements of mercy, love, respect for elders, showing goodness and kindness to others in both Chinese philosophy and the teachings of Christ, does not mean that somehow Confucius had a direct relevation from Christ. Chinese philosophy and religion, like all other religion worldwide is based on works, do this, do that, and you will be counted worthy. Therefore it is not surprising that there will be rules for almost all aspects of public and private behavior, and that many kind and wonderful deeds are done with acts of mercy and kindness. In any case, Mr. Marshall seems to meander between Jesus and elements of Chinese culture, stretching to find some kind of commonality, and implying that some kind of special relevation occurred to the Chinese people. When in fact, the Chinese people, like everyone else did have the general relevation of the creation. It may be possible that some legends of the events in Genesis, like the flood, and maybe a few practices were carried over from earlier ancestors such as the worship of the Supreme God and the animal sacrifices. However there is not much evidence that Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism were directly influenced by the prophets of Israel.

That the Gospel of Jesus Christ would be appealing to Chinese people is not surprising, as the Gospel of Grace is appealing to all people, once the light of Jesus is manifested to them. Grace over works, and a Saviour beckoning to all who would come to him to rest in his righteousness. This explains why many Chinese people are turning to Christ today. However it does not prove that somehow that the Gospel was woven into Chinese culture of the past.

In any case, I find this book interesting for the point of view of the author, and disjointed, in that he takes bits and pieces from here and there, and does not prove his thesis in a scholarly accountable manner. For glimpses of the general relevation of God in other cultures, I recommend "Eternity in their Hearts" by Don Richardson, as a more intriguing presentation of the hints that God left in people's culture. Only the most compelling coincidental evidence is presented in that book, unlike this one where the author is really stretching. Another interesting point of view of the commonality of Jesus with other religious figures is found in "The Two Babylons" by Alexander Hislop, where his explanation of similarities is that Satan is conterfeiting Jesus with false gods and goddesses that present similar redemptive and resurrection traditions. Scary, huh? Then find the truth in the Holy Bible, and read these opinions of men as interesting, but not something I'd base my salvation on or even lose sleep over.

As a Chinese Christian, I am grateful to David Marshall for sharing with us his passion for Christ and China, evident on every page that I read. I am humbled by the realisation that someone not from my own country has done such extensive research in Chinese language, culture, traditional teachings and philosophies to bring us this book. I am also amazed by the revelation that God's fingerprints on my country can be found over thousands of years of history if we care to look for them.

I do think though, that someone who may not know China too well or who may not have a great interest in Chinese culture may find this book confusing and hard to understand. On the other hand, Chinese people who have negative feelings towards Christianity because of its association with imperialism, colonialism and Western superiority may find this book an eye-opener if they are open-minded enough to check it out. I wonder if there is a Chinese translation available for those who cannot read English?

After reading this book, one may ask: if God has been watching over China all along, even inspiring Confucius to write words of wisdom that have woven the moral fibre of most Chinese households, why was Christianity kept outside of China's door throughout the centuries?

Looking at the miracles and conversions taking place in China today, one can see that 'the fields are now ripe for harvest'. State-sanctioned churches are packed every Sunday with locals responding to ongoing prayers praising God with loud 'Amens'. Underground churches thrive. Miraculous healing in the name of Jesus takes place in many rural areas. There is indeed a longing and hunger for that Supreme Being that China has been aware and in awe of, but was too lost and sinful to go near to throughout history.

It seems to please God that some of the faithful servants that came from abroad, who give or have given their lives to or for China in the past 2 centuries or so should be the ones to bring millions of Chinese people into the Kingdom of God through Jesus the door. In His eyes, there is no distinction between East and West; He loves us just the same and wants us to love each other the way He does. It must please Him enormously to see us breaking racial and cultural 'walls' to share the love of Christ. Some Christian scholars have predicted that Chinese brothers and sisters will be the ones taking the gospel back to Jerusalem, where it all began, so that Israel's true redemption will be complete!

Can Mr Marshall consider writing a book to shed some light on that?

I recommend reading Eternity in Their Hearts by Don Richardson and GODS PROMISE TO THE CHINESE by Ethal Nelson first then this book will be much clearer.The book is a bit disjointed at times but its message is loud and clear and for all those cookie cutter generic christians who want to homogenize and pastuerize Christs message be careful of your foolish pride I recommend reading ROMANS 2:11-16
I have been to China a number of times and all that I can say is Confucius & Lao Tzu where definitely on the right track and that is well reflected in the Chinese people.

ROMANS 2:14 (for when Gentiles that have not the law do by nature the things of the law, these, not having the law, are the law unto themselves
15 in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing them
16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ. AMENNNNNNNNNNNNNNN to that!!!!

I have to say that I found David Marshall's book a very difficult read indeed. His logic is confusing and hard to follow; and I found the "evidence" for his arguments unconvincing. Quite often I was left wondering where he got a quote, as the referencing was inconsistent and often, non-existent. My main question throughout reading this book was "Where was his editor?" The fact that this book was even printed, considering the amount of spelling, grammatical, and syntactical errors, is astounding! Disappointing.

After reading 'True Son of Heaven' my mind came alive with the pictures presented by Mr. Marshall about the people of Asia and their search for a savior. I was facinated by the truths he shared. Having been one of the prejudiced believers that all the people of Asia are heathens bent on serving worldly idols, I was refreshed by this new and exciting perspective. I now see Asia as a truly compassionate country that stands apart from the rest of the world through their devotion to tradition and their longing to find peace and elightenment. I hope that as others read this book, they too will understand the importance of bringing the truth of the 'True' Son of heaven to Asia and her people.

This is the kind of wholesale distortion of reality to force it into a religious agenda. The writer one-sidedly presented the popular understanding of the concept "God" among Chinese, while failing to mention the Confucian loath to things that are unverifiable and things inciting exclusive cultic worship of one god. The concept of Heaven or God in Chinese intellectual history had always connotated the totalistic relationship of the universe, the partaking of moral principles by human, rather than the Christian concept of a personal, monotheistic deity. Clearly what Marshall was interested in doing is not to appreciate and learn about the subtlety of Chinese spirituality, but to sell his narrow religious view through a medium which he had very little knowledge about.

I too, like Mr. Chu, am Chinese. After reading this book, one can notice the terrible implications David B. Marshall makes-that Christianity has already has a dominant, yet "unnoticed" presence in China. Marshall, in turn, implies his ignorance of the Chinese culture. He also made references to how Jesus existed in the Temple of Heaven, which was built quite a while before Christianity had taken its roots in Europe. This statement does not makes no sense, and therefore implies his disrespect and unappreciation for China's rich and unique culture.

In response to "a reader"...he/she states "that he (William Chu), and all Chinese need to become Christians.". How disgusting. "a reader" is an example of a Chinese person who has lost his/her true cultural identity.

As one can see, David B. Marshall has written an appallingly biased book containing garantuan amounts of horribly blantant bigotry.