Topics: Conduct; Culture; Evangelism; Humility; Judging Others; Lifestyle Evangelism; Ministry; Missions; Preaching; Seekers; Service; Teaching; Vision; Witnessing
References: Matthew 28:19–20; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14; 1 Corinthians 9:19–23; 1 Peter 3:15
When Matteo Ricci, an Italian Jesuit scholar, finally gained permission to enter China in 1583 (the Chinese authorities generally didn’t allow Europeans to enter at this time), he went dressed as a Buddhist monk speaking Chinese and presenting himself as a humble seeker after wisdom. He wasn’t successful at first (the people of the area he arrived in, near Canton, didn’t speak the Chinese dialect he had learned in Macao, and they didn’t much like Buddhist monks either), but he persevered and won the trust of the people.
Ricci also made many contacts at the imperial court, where people were greatly impressed by his humble approach and his interest in Chinese learning. The emperor liked the gifts that Ricci brought him (especially a clock and a harpsichord), and Ricci sought to find new ways to express the Christian faith that made sense to the Chinese. He translated various Christian texts into Chinese, and in 1603 he wrote The True Doctrine of the Lord of Heaven, which presented Christianity in the form of a philosophical discussion in the Neo-Confucian tradition. The book, written in Chinese, was well received.
Ricci was the first great Jesuit missionary to China. Many more followed him and became closely involved in all kinds of scientific and cultural pursuits.
—Jonathan Hill, “Christianity’s Cultural Contributions,” ChristianityToday.com (May 3, 2006)