Love the Hakka, Gain the Hakka

Dr. Chung Chi-pong

With what Gospel do we “Love the Hakka, Gain the Hakka”?

Opening Remarks:

Starting from the theme of the conference. The theme is well set – 【Love the Hakka, Gain the Hakka】. The key question is: with what “Gospel” do we “gain” our Hakka compatriots? Many Hakka people come from deeply rooted folk religious backgrounds. The basic and practical concern they have is: this is the faith passed down from our ancestors for generations, wouldn’t believing in Jesus be “betraying our ancestors and abandoning our roots”? Is Jesus more “powerful” than our “gods”? What “blessings” and “benefits” will come from believing in Jesus? Around us, there are also relatives and friends who “believe in Jesus,” but we do not “see” what “benefits” they have received from believing. Some even seem to become “worse off” after believing!

  1.Christ is forever the center and foundation of the Gospel: (1 Cor 2:1-2; 15:1-4; 3:10, 11).

  2.The three dimensions of the Gospel:

1) The personal dimension of the Gospel: (John 3:16, 17; 10:10; Rom 6:1-4; John 15:1-5). Do not believe in Jesus for temporary “benefits” (John 6:26-27; 66-69. Especially using the example of Christians’ illness).

2) The social dimension of the Gospel: This is the message of the prophets (Amos 5:21-24), and also the theology of the “incarnation” (John 1:14; John 17:14-19). Christ came for the truth (John 18:37, 38). This is also the test of Christian faith in the world and the issue of the function of “light and salt.” The Christian church as a whole and individual believers, even if they cannot become the “backbone” of a declining world, must not “follow the tide.” Note: the “social dimension” of the Gospel must not be confused with the so-called “social gospel” that does not emphasize the “word of life.”

3) The environmental dimension of the Gospel: the three relationships and connections established in God’s creation: Creator, humanity, and all things. (Gen 1:26-28; 3:17; Isa 24:3-6; Rom 8:18-25. The final vision (Rev 21:1-5).

“Who are the Hakka people?” Identity and Mission

1. 1. Abraham, the “father of faith,” is the earliest “Hakka man,” and a model of a “pilgrim on the heavenly journey” (Hebrews 11:8–10; 13–16). The Lord Jesus Himself was also a lifelong “sojourner,” a “homeless” One (Luke 9:58).
   2. The identity of Christians in this world: they are “scattered” (1 Peter 1:1); they are “sojourners” (1 Peter 1:1, 2:11); they are “pilgrims” (1 Peter 2:11). But God Himself will ultimately, like a good shepherd, lead His flock (His people) to “return to their homeland” (Ezekiel 34:11–16).
   3. The identity and mission of Christians before God (1 Peter 2:9–10).
   4. Do “Hakka people” really have certain “character traits”? Such as stubbornness, competitiveness, love of winning, aggressiveness, “strong concern for face,” “refusing to admit defeat,” etc.? If so, these can be positively used for the challenging task of the Gospel mission!
   5. The Gospel mission of Hakka Christians is both particular and universal (Acts 9:15; Matthew 28:19). There is no conflict between the two; rather, they are complementary and mutually supportive.
   6. “Man proposes, but God disposes.” The Apostle Paul did not lack love for his fellow Israelites, but the results were not very encouraging (Romans 9:1–3); yet he continued with firm conviction (Romans 11:25–26), finally trusting and submitting to God’s will and sovereignty. This faith can free us from the heavy burden of our own hearts.
   7. Final reminder and mutual encouragement: use “truth, goodness, and beauty” (Philippians 4:8) as the Christian way of life; use “faith, hope, and love” (1 Corinthians 13:13) as the motto of life testimony. Use eternity as the Christian philosophy of history and value system (Isaiah 40:6–8).