Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Feb/68

Contributor - R.A. Hartmans

Title -Postscript On Indonesia

Topic - Church In The World

I have continued to follow the activities of Christians in Indonesia. In the midst of the movement of thousands of people turning to Christianity (400,000 since 1965 according to the Indonesian Bible Society) there are many problems. The Moslems are worried and they are threatening a "holy war", they cause rioting, and they make all kind of accusations against the Christians.

General Suharto, the present leader of Indonesia, attended a meeting of Moslem, Hindu, Roman Catholic and Protestant leaders recently to discuss how the growing tensions can be relieved. He said that he came to the meeting himself because he fears a national disaster.

However, for the time being, General Suharto has been able to resist the demands from the Muslims that the Indonesian Christians be cut off from foreign Church aid. "Every faith is universal and should be able to have international contacts," he said. He did suggest that the major faiths refrain from proselytizing among another and instead turn to the conversion of animistee heathen tribes.

So far the evangelicals of other countries have not rushed to the aid of the Indonesian churches. Perhaps the churches are just becoming aware that something great is happening in Indonesia. Fortunately, Dutch Christians will seek to double their mission budget for Indonesia for 1968. Also, Billy Graham seems to be considering to accept an invitation to stop over in Indonesia on his way to Australia and New Zealand.

In the meantime the Indonesian Missionary Fellowship has been formed. Before long Indonesians may be sending out Christian Missionaries abroad. Observers feel that the Indonesians might have greater success than the Western Churches in other Moslem countries. Also, it may be possible to send out Indonesian Chinese Christians to Communist China which is said to be taking in many Chinese from Indonesia.

ASIAN RELIGIONS IN EUROPE

Lest we accept the advance of the Church of Christ in Indonesia too lightly, it should be noted that the Asian Religions are also on the move. A number of Asian religions are counteracting the advance -of the Christian Church by sending missionaries into Europe. Most active are the Buddhists, the Hindus, and the Moslems.

In Ceylon the "Buddhist Mission Society to Germany" was founded in 1952. Today Buddhists in Germany have their own seminary at Hamburg. The seminary sends out missionaries to travel all over Europe.

"The German Buddhist Union" brings together the different movements within Buddhism. The Union has on its rolls three thousand members.

Hinduism seems to be less influential in Germany than Buddhism. Nevertheless, it is a force which should be taken seriously. Vandanta communities present a modified form of Hinduism which is adapted to Western ways. These communities are active in preparing many publications. They also sponsor occasions for group meditation.

The Islam in Germany is a force to watch carefully. Though it has its center in Germany it also seeks to reach all of Europe. Strengthened by the presence of 120,000 Moslem immigrant workers and 10,000 students, the Islam is able to maintain eight mosques and four more houses of worship are under construction in Germany.

All this goes to say, that we may certainly rejoice about the continuation of Christ's Church in Indonesia and other countries, but that the :Church must also be ready to deal with the powers at home which are attempting to counteract the claims of the Gospel.

The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists of listening to them. Just as love to God begins with listening to his Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them. It is God's love for us that he not only gives us his Word but also lends us his ear. So it is his work that we do for our brother when we learn to listen to him. Christians, especially ministers, so often think they must always contribute something when they are in the company of others, that this is the one service they have to render. They forget that listening can be a greater service than speaking. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in Life Together

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