Cross-Cultural Training Manual Part Three: The Muslims of China English Version (Chinese version available for training purposes) "Cross-Cultural Training Manual - Part 1" provided the foundation for the material contained here. This manual applies the concepts studied in Part 1 to the Chinese Muslim context. To get the most benefit out of this book, it is recommended that you review the material previously covered in Part 1. Introduction ministry, and also that you will be supernaturally equipped by the Holy Spirit with a burden and love for Chinese Muslims. Henan province is considered by many to be the cradle of Chinese civilization. It In 1943, a Chinese pastor had a vision of the gospel spreading westward from is the most populous province in China, and also has a higher percentage of China all the way to Jerusalem, and he felt burdened that it would be the Chinese Christians than any other province, holding over a sixth of China's Christian people that would one day take the gospel across Asia and back to Jerusalem. population. There are more pastors, teachers, and churches there than anywhere Many Henan Christians are sensing God’s calling to go "Back to Jerusalem." Some else in Asia! Henan Christians are also widely known to be fervent evangelists. have been trained and sent to Xinjiang, Central Asia, and South Asia as full-time The province has trained and sent thousands of evangelists to spread the Good workers to Muslim peoples abroad. News throughout Henan and other places in China, even to other countries. However, in Henan itself, as in many other places in China, there is still much Yet Henan is also the home of almost 1 million Hui Muslims, representing about 1 tension between the Han Chinese majority and the Hui Muslim minority. In percent of the provincial population. Among them there are only a handful of October 2004 over 5,000 people were involved in a conflict near Zhengzhou, followers of Christ. Most of them have never heard a gospel presentation, even Henan over a traffic dispute between Han and Hui families. Almost 150 people though they live among so many Christians. So the beautiful picture of faithful were killed, and the ill will and mistrust between the Han and Hui was further and obedient Henan Christian servants carrying the Gospel to those that have not entrenched. heard is marred by the fact that there are a million people created in the image of Will you be an example and take up your cross and follow the Lord by serving a God that are being overlooked for ministry because of prejudice and cultural people that you might not even like? Will you step out in faith and be obedient to barriers. the Lord's Great Commission - to go to ALL the world, to ALL of the peoples, If you are reading this book right now, then you probably have already begun to including the Chinese Muslims - making disciples, baptizing them, and teaching notice that many of your neighbors, co-workers, and classmates are from a them to obey? Our Lord Jesus Christ has promised that He will be with you! Muslim background. What is your initial reaction when you think of them and their spiritual state? Is it compassion or is it contempt? Do you think of them in the same way you think of others in your flock, or do you consider them to be unworthy of being part of the body of Christ? Would you welcome them into your home as you would another brother or sister in Christ, or would they feel scorned by your arrogance? The purpose of this book is to introduce Islam to you - its doctrine, culture, customs, and adherents in China. And then to begin to equip you for ministry to these Chinese Muslim peoples. Some of you are already burdened and ready for this knowledge, while others of you do not yet see the need. We will be in prayer for all of you as you read this training manual - that your eyes will be opened, that you will be equipped in every way that you feel you are lacking for Muslim Table of Contents C. Ministry to Muslim Women Conclusion Introduction Works Cited Table of Contents Chapter 1 - Islam in China A. Brief History of Islam in China B. Islamic Sects in China C. Muslim Unreached People Group Summaries D. The Need for a Unique and Separate Ministry Strategy E. Overcoming Ethnocentrism Chapter 2 - Islamic Doctrine & Culture A. Basic Islamic Doctrine B. Cultural Issues C. Basic Christian Beliefs in Comparison and Contrast Chapter 3 - Contextualization A. Lifestyle Changes B. Ministry and Worship Form Changes C. The Contextualized Church D. Labels & Identity E. Language Adaptation Chapter 4 - Evangelism & Discipleship A. General Thoughts on Evangelism to Muslims B. Three Evangelistic Approaches C. Examples to Consider Chapter 5 - Fruitful Practices A. 3 Main Reasons Muslims Come to Faith B. Fruitful Practices List Chapter 6 - Ministry Considerations A. Humility and Sacrifice B. Persecution Chapter 1 - Islam in China Much of this growth came through Muslims migrating into China under the Mongol rule. Yet it is also likely that many Han realized that converting to Islam gave them favor in the eyes of their Mongol overlords and easier access to Muhammad's followers spread Islam far and wide very quickly after it began. The influential government positions. Arabic people were already nomadic, and spices from Arabia were traded all around the world. Within a hundred years after Muhammad, Muslims had During the Ming dynasty both the northwest Muslims and the Hui gradually already come and settled in China. Some came as traders, others came as became ethnic minorities permanently settled in China rather than immigrant mercenary soldiers, but they all came with a foundational belief in Islam. Some communities looking towards their homelands. They were becoming assimilated Muslims came overland along the Silk Road, settling in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, and were no longer just Muslims living in China but were “Chinese Muslims." and Ningxia. Others came by boat, and settled in Southeast China. Many Muslim Many Muslims began speaking Chinese as their trade language. The majority of peoples became Sinicized, intermarrying with Han (the Han spouse becoming a the Muslims who subsequently became the Hui of the twentieth century adopted, Muslim), and after hundreds of years in China some of these groups lost their at least outwardly, a style of life similar to that of their Han neighbors. For original languages. The modern Hui are a mixture of these groups which became instance, many Hui adopted Chinese names. Sinicized and lost their original languages. The other Muslim groups profiled in The influx of Sufism between the 17th and 19th centuries was the second major the next section of the book, maintained much more of their own language and wave of Islam to enter China. With this influx came many changes within the culture, in addition to their Islamic beliefs. All of these groups still hold strongly social structure of Hui communities. There were struggles between the Hui and to Islam to distinguish themselves from the larger Han culture around them and the Han, as well as struggles between Hui communities themselves. Many of to maintain their ethnic identity. these conflicts go on to this day. Brief History of Islam in China Predominantly in Northwest China, the Menhuan (saintly lineage) system created a social system that was based on the leadership of one Sufi master to whom all Islam entered China in three main stages. The first period was the early of his followers were subject. Hui uprisings during this time were not simply a transmission of Islam from the Tang through the Yuan dynasties (7th – 14th c.) The matter of Muslims fighting against their Qing rulers. Much of the violence rose second period was the infiltration of Sufism during the late Ming and Qing out of internal conflicts between factions within the Hui community. Although dynasties (17th – 19thc.) Lastly, during the 1890’s, the New Teaching entered and the Gedimu, or LaoJiao (Old Teaching) Muslims continued to grow through this became prominent. It is commonly proposed by most scholars that there really period, their social influence on the majority of Muslims waned. were no “Hui” people before the Ming dynasty. Sufi ideas and institutions became integral to Muslim society during this time. During the Tang-Song Period there are numerous sources that indicate that the Trade restrictions were lifted by the Qing government after 1684 and Muslims Muslims who settled in this period came along two routes: the Silk Road and were able to travel on the hajj and return with Sufi teachings. In turn, Sufi ocean trade routes from southeastern port cities. Few Muslims became ordinary missionaries traveled to China and Islam grew. Sufism arrived in China along the citizens of China before the late Song. During the Yuan dynasty, large numbers of Central Asian trade routes as well as via Chinese and foreign sheiks who carried Muslims entered China and created enclaves of Muslim areas, districts, and towns. along their new teachings to China. They established networks and brotherhoods It is during this time that there was dramatic exponential growth of Muslims. among Muslims, creating smaller communities within the greater community of Wahabbism is intensely opposed by all of the other Hui sects in China. The Muslims. opposition is so great that even the Yihewani Chinese sect, which is fundamentalist and was founded by a man originally inspired by the Wahhabis, Meanwhile, during the 1890’s there began to be intense foreign pressure on the has reacted with hostility to those that have attempted to introduce Chinese Muslims.