The dilemma of personal salvation in collective cultures
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Engaging filial piety from a missional standpoint.
A woman was convinced of the truth of the gospel but would not accept it for herself. The main obstacle to her embracing the Christian faith was the fate of her late mother:
‘If Jesus is the only way to eternal life in the presence of God, then I will have to live with the dreadful thought that my mother, who died a Buddhist, is now lost forever and I will never be with her again if I become a Christian. This is a truth too awful and painful for me to accept.’
This is a story that sounds familiar to many East Asians.
The dilemma
For many East Asians, the dreadful fate of those who die without Christ means that one will be eternally separated from non-believing family and ancestors if they choose to follow Jesus.
While this is true for all of us, it is especially significant for East Asians because this belief implies one must choose between personal salvation or duty to love and respect parents and ancestors.
Many have chosen to reject the offer for personal salvation through Christ for the sake of their deceased loved ones, even when they may be convinced of its truth.
This reason for rejecting the gospel can seem perplexing to some of us, but as we consider the cultural and religious values that undergird this decision, we begin to appreciate the predicament.
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