China and India

andremiguel · #1 Jun 18, '12, 10:15 am

Half of the humanity does not know Jesus Christ.
When is China and India going to enter the herd of the Lord?

Catholic1954 · #2 Jun 18, '12, 12:11 pm

Whenever the Holy Spirit guides them into it.

stephe1987 · #3 Jun 18, '12, 12:12 pm

Luckily, with things like the Internet, people who seek information will be able to find it.

Currently, Catholicism is illegal in China, but there are some underground movements and I heard a lot of people were baptized this Easter, which is great!

As for India, Catholicism is growing there, too. A lot of Indians already have other beliefs, so evangelization over there is going to have to be about finding things Catholics have in common with them, teaching them about Jesus, and moving from there. But there are some good ministries over there (for example, Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity) to help people come to know the Lord.

I think the biggest problem is that evil is so strong in this world. Many people are going to turn to sin or outlaw belief in God. They'd rather live their way than God's way. Christians need to always be there to help people, meet people where they're at spiritually, etc.

Millie123 · #4 Jun 18, '12, 2:04 pm

Southern India was evangelized by Thomas the Apostle and to this day there is a very strong Catholic presence there. I have a close friend who is Catholic from Kerala India and from my understanding the area is full of Catholic churches.

My husband is from Northern India. He is not Catholic, but he attended school at a Catholic convent and was taught by a group of nuns. He comes from a poor village and the Catholic convent school provides the best education compared to the public schools. So his parents sent him there. Anyways, from my perspective I actually think that the Catholic church is growing in India.

Bezant · #5 Jun 18, '12, 11:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by andremiguel

Half of the humanity does not know Jesus Christ.
When is China and India going to enter the herd of the Lord?

Do a little more research, friend

Christianity has been in China for centuries, and India is home to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, founded by St. Thomas the Apostle himself -- possibly before your ancestors were Christian. Furthermore, the Gospel is more accessible now than at any other time in the past, thanks to the media, modern communication and transportation.

The issue is not one of "How many people will know of Jesus Christ in the fastest amount of time?" at all, but "How do Christians elevate the world with the Gospel?"

andremiguel · #6 Jun 19, '12, 12:04 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bezant

Do a little more research, friend

Christianity has been in China for centuries, and India is home to one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, founded by St. Thomas the Apostle himself -- possibly before your ancestors were Christian. Furthermore, the Gospel is more accessible now than at any other time in the past, thanks to the media, modern communication and transportation.

The issue is not one of "How many people will know of Jesus Christ in the fastest amount of time?" at all, but "How do Christians elevate the world with the Gospel?"

I simply wished everybody would know Jesus Christ. But are we destined to be just like little salt in the food? Like a small lamp in a room? Like a lighthouse in the dark sea?

Using Jesus' images.

Bezant · #7 Jun 19, '12, 12:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by andremiguel

I simply wished everybody would know Jesus Christ. But are we destined to be just like little salt in the food? Like a small lamp in a room? Like a lighthouse in the dark sea?
Using Jesus' images.

I'm afraid I don't understand your question.

andremiguel · #8 Jun 19, '12, 11:28 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bezant

I'm afraid I don't understand your question.

Are we destined not to conquer the world?
Are we destined to be little yet powerful?

Semper Zelare · #9 Jun 20, '12, 9:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by andremiguel

Are we destined not to conquer the world?
Are we destined to be little yet powerful?

Well, it is important for us Catholics to understand that one day, everyone on Earth will be Catholic. And the culture of the Church will also be the only one remaining, that's the official teaching of the Church anyways. But, of course that could be after the Judgement or before... so idk. Anyways, all we can do is continue to pray, and in the words of Pope Benedict XVI "continue our work in the vineyard of the Lord".

Bezant · #10 Jun 20, '12, 2:48 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by andremiguel

Are we destined not to conquer the world?
Are we destined to be little yet powerful?

Of course the Church's mission is to share the Gospel with the world, but evangelisation isn't a "conquest," or "race" as as another thread put it, to convert as many people as quickly possible. Evangelisation is as much about improving people's lives and the world--which takes time and effort--as it is about accessiblity.

andremiguel · #11 Jun 21, '12, 12:24 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bezant

Of course the Church's mission is to share the Gospel with the world, but evangelisation isn't a "conquest," or "race" as as another thread put it, to convert as many people as quickly possible. Evangelisation is as much about improving people's lives and the world--which takes time and effort--as it is about accessiblity.

Jesus ordered us to go to the end of the world. And 2000 years have gone by...

Bezant · #12 Jun 25, '12, 2:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by andremiguel

Jesus ordered us to go to the end of the world. And 2000 years have gone by...

You're fixiated on only one aspect of evangelism -- converting as many people as possible, as quickly as possible -- and ignoring the fact that converting to another religion takes time, reflection, and sincere effort. It doesn't make sense for the entire world to become good Catholics tomorrow morning if they're not prepared to be good Catholics next year.

And actually, the fact that most of the world is Christian in two thousand years is a rather quick acheivement, historically. In God's time, two thousand years is really negligible. Keep in mind that everything will happen in His time, and we don't need to evangelise aggressively to "make up for lost time" as you suggest. It's already been done, and with awful consequences for the people who were forced to convert.

andremiguel · #13 Jun 25, '12, 11:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bezant

You're fixiated on only one aspect of evangelism -- converting as many people as possible, as quickly as possible -- and ignoring the fact that converting to another religion takes time, reflection, and sincere effort. It doesn't make sense for the entire world to become good Catholics tomorrow morning if they're not prepared to be good Catholics next year.

And actually, the fact that most of the world is Christian in two thousand years is a rather quick acheivement, historically. In God's time, two thousand years is really negligible. Keep in mind that everything will happen in His time, and we don't need to evangelise aggressively to "make up for lost time" as you suggest. It's already been done, and with awful consequences for the people who were forced to convert.

After 313, the Edyth of Milan, Europe in 100 years became Catholic.
Shall we have to wait 1 million years?
If it is what God wants, OK !! His will be done !!
Yes, I would like it faster, the fastest possible...

Bezant · #14 Jul 2, '12, 4:51 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by andremiguel

After 313, the Edyth of Milan, Europe in 100 years became Catholic.
Shall we have to wait 1 million years?
If it is what God wants, OK !! His will be done !!
Yes, I would like it faster, the fastest possible...

Whatever floats your fancy.