Faith of Our Fathers

By Chan Kei Thong

Chan Kei Thong has brought up an interesting discussion about the relationship between God, China and its language. He thinks that China and Israel both share a long history with rich cultures. Due to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 7801865065
• ISBN13: 9787801865069
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: China Publishing Group Orient
• Length: 265 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The Cult(true) of Our Fathers

Dr Thong wrote this fun book alleging the comparable and compatible concept of Shangdi (God) in Ancient China with God of Jewish Bible. He made a lot of assumption, disclaimers, comparison and contrast, and twist and turn. The first Christian missionary known as Nestorians visited China in 7th Century with an icon of a cross over lotus. Chinese open and welcome policy helped them build churches. China even had its first Archbishop from Rome in Yuan Dynasty. It was Jesuit Matteo Ricci who shared western knowledge and Christianity to Ming Dynasty. But Ricci withheld church persecution of scientists. He was reported the first to meet Kaifong Jews who melted into greater Chinese family. Chinese Emperor adopted freedom of religion with a good cultural exchange. University of San Francisco had the Ricci Center with Ricci water-color portrait and an entry visa in Chinese, Manchus and Latin issued by Chinese Emperor for Jesuit envoy entry in getting Pope's comment on the acculturization of Christian in China. The Pope in a religious entity interfered with Chinese culture in converts honoring heaven, Confucius and ancestors. It was known as Rites Controversy. Catholic found out the concept of Shangdi and adopted it for God for convenience to make it believable. Who is abusing freedom of religion and interfering other country cultural tradition? The split of Catholic and Protestant created two names in China for God, Tien Zhu (Lord of Heaven) and Shang Di (God). Missionary was kicked out till 1807 with Robert Morrison, a Protestant, came in Opium Boat . He translated the New Testament into Chinese in Taoist terms, notably in Gospel of John. Any respect of intellectual property? He was responsible for introducing to British government extra-territority, a demand in unequal treaty after Opium War. This term meant all foreigners were not subject to Chinese court and laws. Who claimed rule of law and freedom? His teaching sold to Hung who declared himself Chinese God's son, a brother of Jesus and set up the Tai Ping Tien Kuo (Kingdom of Heavenly Peace). It was fatally crushed by the combined forces of European Christian countries in guns and soldiers. Many God's servants, Catholic and Protestant took advantage the situation and bullied locals with many cases of properties seizure for religious purposes. The Boxer Movement was reaction to get rid of Christian influence resulting in Eight Countries invading Peking, with China in defeat and humiliation into 20th Century. Some missionaries, however, were true friends: Corbret Hunter in Boxer Movement. I met his great grandson and David Magee, son of Rev. John Magee, Rev Bob Bates, all team member of Nanking Committee. I honored the late Minnie Vautrin in scholarship fund as a board member. James Legge was impressive in translating Chinese Classics. He humbled himself after the work. It is interesting to see Dr Thong call to accept Jesus as personal savior. 1. In what sects: agnostics, Mormon, Seven Days Adventists, Christian Scientists, Jehovah Witness? 2. Will Dr Thong and company help unite Judaism, Christian and Moslem and bring peace? 3. Why Dr Thong is enthusiastic in converting and pursuit the selfish personal benefit of eternal life in heaven as the same dream of First Emperor? 4. Will he honor the Tao of Jesus, peace over violence love over hatred, righteous over injustice? 5. You shall know the truth, the truth will set you free - hope he checks out PBS production, From Jesus to Christ 6. Why this young country with heavy Christian influence offering so much to the world is powerful but insecure and rich but inadequate? 7. Where were the glory and powerful God fearing hemogamy - Holy Roman Empire and British Empire? 8. Why faith of Chinese fathers developed into a civilization of moral and ethics without religious wars and dark ages? 9. Will Christian West invade China with opium and gun boats when free trade is again in her favor same as 19th century? 10. What impact of Christian Soon

Deeply Moving

I was deeply moved by reading Faith of Our Fathers: God in Ancient China by Chan Kei Thong. The book is both beautifully written and beautifully illustrated. This story is quite satisfying because it substantiates the view that the God who is worshipped by Christians is truly the God of all the earth and of all peoples and is not just a Western construct. Each chapter provides a new evidence that the God worshipped by the ancient Chinese is indeed the same God who sent his son Jesus Christ to be the Savior of all mankind. Each chapter concludes with the author's appeal to the reader to accept Jesus as his own personal savior. The author adds his own testimony that the evidence of which he writes moved him from a position to atheism to faith. I found that I was moved to handle this book with reverence as if it were the Bible itself. I recommend this book to all Christians and to all who would like to know God. This book tells not only the story of China, but of the Gospel itself.

A Fascinating Linkage

Faith of Our Fathers is an incisive, well researched document that needs to be read by every American who tends to think of the Chinese as "them" versus "us." While some of the early chapters were a tough read when they explained the meanings and interpretations of Chinese characters, any reader who has ever stood on the "emperor's disc" at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing can draw a comparison to the annual ritual in the Holy of Holies practiced once a year by the Jewish high priest. Some of the author's conclusions were a bit of a stretch based on available evidence; yet, many of his conclusions are acceptable to the degree they support the beliefs of the individual reader. For any thoughtful reader seeking one more bridge of commonality with the Chinese, Faith of Our Fathers is an excellent and thought-provoking read.