When the Body of Christ Is Allergic to Itself: Interviews Looking Back at 2020
Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash
By Jonathan Ho
This past spring, my boss had a hard time focusing at work due to her allergies. She was only one of several people around me who became miserable due to the pollen in the air. While spring trees and flowers help give nature its beauty, they can bring about suffering for many.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, “Allergies are the result of your immune system’s response to a substance... A person becomes allergic when their body develops antigens against a substance. Upon repeated exposure the severity of the reaction may increase.” [1]
In short, your body identifies something that is usually harmless as a threat to its systems. Sometimes your response to an allergen can become stronger and stronger the more you encounter it.
Whenever your immune system identifies a threat, it attacks it. As a result, you may end up with symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, hives, and/or some types of asthma. If it’s serious enough, you may end up with anaphylactic shock which can cause body tissues to swell, making it hard or impossible to breathe.
The immune system is meant to protect the body, but if it misidentifies a threat, it can lead to misery, and even death.
We too can suffer from allergies as the body of Christ. And like the springtime, there can be seasons where experiences and perspectives cause our “immune system” (discernment) to go on the offensive.
The last year of pandemic lockdowns forced many of us to reduce our social interactions to virtual events mostly related to work and close friends. We have mostly been cloistered with those whom we have chosen to interact with.
However, as we reemerge with the relaxation of many pandemic restrictions, we come into a world impacted by personal isolation, strong political polarization, and exigent (pressing/demanding), race-driven events.
Similar to the spring’s introduction of heavy amounts of pollen, the events from 2020 until now have introduced elements that have induced strong immune responses within the body of Christ. Some of these responses have taken place on different sides of the same event. Some might interpret an event as necessary for growth while others may see events as an attack on the body’s vital functions.
If we, as the body of Christ, fail to properly discern what should and what shouldn’t be fought, then we risk becoming Saul of Tarsus; we may persecute God in the name of God (see Acts 9).
As the body of Christ, we must grow to discern between what is neutral and what is harmful to our body. At the same time, while remaining discerning about the things that are dangerous to the body, we must keep in mind that we may have developed strong allergic reactions against things that are not actually attacking us.
Over the past few weeks I interviewed three adults who are either part of or grew up in a Chinese church setting. In this article, I will present what has stood out to them the most since January 2020.
I encourage you to take a pen and mark up whatever stirs up an “allergic” reaction in you. This can be anger, confusion, annoyance, and more.
In order to protect their identities, I will refer to the people I interviewed as Person A, Person B, and Person C:
Person A:
• 1st generation immigrant from Hong Kong
• Married, mother of two
• Member of a Chinese/Euroamerican congregation with both an English service and Chinese service
Person B:
• 1st generation immigrant from Taiwan
• Married, mother of two adult children, grandmother
• Member of an Asian congregation
Person C:
• 2nd generation - child of Taiwanese immigrants
• Married, no children
• Member of a multi-ethnic church group
I started by asking what event(s) stood out to them from January 2020 until now. Two main themes came to the forefront: the COVID-19 pandemic and political tensions in the United States. [2] In addition, two main questions seemed to be on people’s minds:
1. What should the role of the Church be in politics?
2. What is the role of media and its effect on the "public consciousness"?
Note: some language was edited for clarity and reviewed by those interviewed for accuracy.
COVID-19 stood out as the first common thread. All three people shared about how COVID-19 forced people to connect virtually and how it changed work life. Some had become aware of the pandemic ahead of time through social media. COVID-19 has isolated some members and led to a loss of membership in some churches as some families sought more support for their children in more resourced church settings. In addition, some family members contracted COVID-19 which led to some hospitalizations.
Person A shared,
• “Especially in early February… many Chinese here were panicked and went to every pharmacy, dental office, to ask for donations of masks and PPE to ship to China. I could tell how nervous everyone was getting, especially getting into March (2020).”
• “I hope that this pandemic will go away and I would like to see true liberty come back to everyone’s normal lives. Do not force people to get vaccinated, to keep distance, wear masks. Give us the truth about the pandemic. Many different theories of the origin of COVID-19. Want to see the truth about it. Do not use it for a tool. Give us the truth.”
Person B shared,
• “Fellowship is limited, caring is limited. We can’t visit each other and can’t have physical gatherings anymore… I hope we can reopen so people can get together physically. It’s impossible to go back to normal because of the pandemic. I think a lot of things have changed and probably won’t go back to [as they were] before the pandemic.”
Person C, a teacher, shared,
• “The pandemic really blew open the inequities that we knew existed for families... I have kids who, most of them didn’t have tech at home, so the district worked really hard to get them technology. And then internet access was an issue. And then on top of that, unemployment… a lot of the families that I work with are immigrants and some of them are undocumented and so access to aid [was difficult to obtain], children just doing a lot of multitasking at home, like watching younger siblings or cousins at home. A lot going on at the same time.”
• “Embedded in all the events was the general disagreement in the country about ‘did COVID even exist?’ And the unwillingness to mask and how I saw really strongly related with: Are we willing to love our neighbors and sacrifice our comforts for other people? It was definitely tough. There were and still are moments when I ask, “Are we talking about the same God?” Because I’m not really sure that we are. And it’s very interesting because you and I were raised in the church and I know Christianese... I know the words to say. And I’m like, “You are using all the same words that I know but very differently!”
Politics was the second common thread. Each person shared how politics had led to some tensions in their lives. Person A had a strong desire for the United States to go towards traditional conservative values. Person B felt the church should not preach politics from the pulpit but leave it up to each member. Person C felt conservative Evangelical movements in the United States came across as tone-deaf to the needs of others outside their circles.
Person A shared,
• “Lots of conservatives wanted to make sure that the nation was going back toward a conservative side. I consider myself a conservative. I want America to head toward not so liberal and left. I want to see people going toward more honoring God, religion, freedom of religion, and see people go back to tradition (a Biblical tradition).”
Person B shared,
• “The election caused some division in the church because of the two different political stances. Our minister and his wife took a side and tried to persuade people to vote for the Republicans. The reason was because they thought the Republican policy was more Christian-friendly and in favor of the Christian doctrine… other people said we cannot just vote for Republicans without observing what Trump is saying or doing. Many different opinions in the church caused a lot of confusion and division.”
Person C shared,
• “I’ve been thinking about idolization of the flag, nationalism really... how much this country identifies as Christian but we know how white Evangelicals vote… it shows a lack of awareness or willingness to really listen to other peoples’ narratives and understand where they’re coming from.”
Person A felt that traditional values were in danger. Person B felt doctrine and character were intertwined. Person C felt that nationalism overrode understanding of the stories of others in white Evangelical circles.
What should the role of the Church be in politics?
Person A and Person C brought up the Capitol Hill Protests and Riots (different terms used), and Person B shared about how her church group suffered divisions due to political statements from the pulpit. There were differing opinions on the way politics should be addressed in church settings.
Person A shared:
• “Within the church, one group still has a traditional view about Chinese believers that we are segregated, not part of the secular world. Not supposed to get involved too deep into it. But also, some believers arise and say this is not right, looking at the past decades such as the 70’s and 80’s leading up to today. Why are Christians and churches so reduced in size and in the level of their impact upon the entire society? Why is the Christian influence getting reduced? We have to make change, stand up and face the challenge to reverse it.”
• “I shared a short message with a church WeChat group about schools and how children are being taught that they can’t be sure of biological sex and was told it was not a good time to share because what we need now is comfort, tolerance, to be cheered up… I felt discouraged to share my actual feelings. I respect your opinion but want to share because it’s my feeling, but if you do not want me to share then I will respect your opinion and not share any more. But this incident feels like a discouragement to talk about politics.”
Person B shared:
• “If [political] conversation is not public, then I feel it’s okay. But if it’s from the pulpit or in public, then it’s inappropriate.”
• “I don’t think it influenced me too much because I listen to both sides. I don’t take sides. And when I watch news, I watch a lot of news. Both stations. Candidates are important. I cannot just vote for the Democrat because of the policy or just the Republican because of their policy. I have to see the leader.”
• “In the church, even some friends for some twenty years have had division in their family and friendships… before elections [in the past], people had different opinions but never this kind of division. American people have a lot of division too. This past election impacted a lot of people.”
Person C shared:
• “When I think about where I’ve seen God these past fifteen months, I feel like I’ve most closely encountered God not in the Church but mostly in works of people actively campaigning for justice, whether that’s in the criminal justice system or law-making or individual aid or other things like that.” (Person C also noted she did not like the way some Christians delineate between “social justice” and “biblical justice”.)
• “When we think of Shalom on earth…what a great opportunity the big “C” Church has for it…so much potential for transformation and for love and for people to really come into the fullness of who they are by knowing that they are loved and in safe and loving communities… I’m a big fan of the concept to make heaven here now in terms of our work now, not just about waiting until you die and then getting good things when you die.”
Person A shared about a need for the Church to stand for traditional, biblical values within United States law (during our interview, she named and described areas such as gay marriage and gender identity). Person A felt censored and unable to speak on important issues in her church circles. Person B shared a need to have discussion privately, but without public endorsement from leadership. Person B’s church group had suffered division among the congregation’s family and friends due to political statements made from the pulpit. Person C shared about how the Church should join God in justice work. Person C questioned whether existing laws were written or enforced in a just manner and that as Christians we should be concerned not only with laws but also the manner of enforcement and application.
The Role of Media and its Effect on the “Public Consciousness”
Person A and Person C had some especially poignant thoughts on the media and specifically around the Capitol Hill protests and riots that took place on January 6th, 2021. Person A had participated in the Capitol Hill protests (she did not enter the Capitol Building) and felt the media was unfairly portraying the protestors as rioters. Person C felt that the protests and riots showed a huge discrepancy in how the law treats people who are white versus people of color.
Person A
• “I paid close attention in 2019, the year coming up for reelection. It was a big one, not just Congress, but also for the President. I paid attention and expected to see people concerned about America going forward.”
• “I strongly believe the election has been rigged and wanted to voice out support that the election was being stolen. I went to DC with some friends to participate. I did not participate in any violence and didn’t even go into the buildings… I watched the big screen and listened to speakers and then started walking with others when an announcement was made that DC would be under lockdown… I went home and had texts from friends asking if I was okay. I didn’t even know what happened. They said things had become violent. What?!... I was there in person on January 6th, attended the protest, and I was really upset to see how the mainstream media portrayed the protesters as evil and violent, attacking the Capitol Hill police. I was there in person and didn’t see it that way. I saw it as an attack on Trump and to portray the conservatives as the evildoers… Personally I was there but didn’t know we would be categorized as rioters. They present protestors as rioters.”
• “Especially when you compare and see it was peaceful. I didn’t go to Capitol Hill, but I saw people go in. I don’t know what happened inside, but 99% to 100% of the protesters were peaceful… Especially right now, the insiders, the clips of insiders reveal people going inside were disguised as protestors but not. Probably BLM, I don’t know.”
Person C
• “I think the Capitol riots really drove home for me how rampant ‘Whiteness’ is. Just like you think you’re playing by the same rules, but you’re really not. To pretend that we have a fair system or the same system for different people, like ‘regardless of who you are you are treated the same.’ ... clearly not true. Especially given the difference in treatment for the Capitol rioters versus people protesting peacefully over the summer for Black Lives Matter… just very gross to see… like media coverage and rioters at the Capitol taking selfies with the police, being let in, walking around with zip ties and weapons, stealing mail, stealing furniture and not getting hosed or dogs sicced on them. No National Guard… And the vast majority of people went home with little consequence.”
• Description for biased news media: “A Black person does a non-violent crime and then you [media] show a mugshot... then show a white man who shot someone, with a photo with his wife and two children. And disproportionate reporting - when I think about violence against Asian elders for example [underreported]. People are quick to seize upon when Black people are committing violence… This is really selective, what we choose to listen to and amplify because of what narratives it reinforces in our minds to understand.”
Person A and Person C had different perspectives on the Capitol Hill protests and riots. Person A felt that the media had unfairly portrayed the protestors as rioters. Person A was not in the building itself, but saw that everyone around her was peacefully protesting. Person A felt the media ignored evidence of who the actual rioters were. Person C said that in the past, the media had portrayed peaceful Black Lives Matter protesters as rioters. In addition, Person C felt that the police and authorities treated the Capitol Hill protestors/rioters with much more restraint and gave them more freedoms than they did other groups.
Hopes for the Future, Final Thoughts
At the end, I asked each person to share their hopes for the Church and areas to highlight as priorities for the Church. I also gave them time to share if there was anything additional they wanted to add.
Person A shared,
• “To really go back and study the Bible and understand the Bible accurately. Don’t take it out of context. Don’t take a verse out of context. Christians really understand what the Bible tells us and live according to God’s view and Word.”
Person B shared,
• “Please pray for our church. A lot has happened since changing church leadership. Don’t want to see more division. I want to see more unity in the Church.”
Person C shared,
• “I think for the American Church it’s about repentance. It’s about being willing to confront history and being willing to truly repent and not skip things… to really grieve with communities that have been hurt and to listen and see what it means to be a safe place.”
• “I would say for traditionally ethnically based faith communities the next step is to reflect and learn about the history of race and church in the US - the ways the Church has been a force for good, the ways it has fallen short and actively and passively participated in harm, and to better understand how race affects all of us in this context… so that the church and the Church can be transformed and be a force for reconciliation and healing.”
Person C had two podcasts to share:
Reclaiming My Theology - Brandi Miller (currently on staff with InterVarsity)
The BEMA Podcast - reading the Torah through a Christian/Jewish lens, cultural context
Overall, there were hopes for close study of Scripture, a desire for greater unity and return to some kind of new normal as we continue through this pandemic, and for personal transformation to love and serve others better.
Reflection
We encourage you to ask our heavenly Father to reveal by the Holy Spirit what needs revealing in your own heart.
What has your “immune system” flagged and warned you about? If you haven’t already, I encourage you to mark up whatever has drawn a response from you in the text above.
Write down the terms and phrases here that angered you or gave you discomfort:
Next, read and meditate on the following:
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:13-26, NIV (bolded by writer for emphasis)
Do any of the terms you wrote down bring up feelings of hatred, discord, or a desire to break off from your brothers and sisters in Christ?
Our “immune systems” should be flagging the acts of the flesh which include: hatred, discord, factions, dissensions, and idolatry.
Definitions from Strong’s Concordance:
Hatred: echthra: enmity, hostility, alienation (making others as outsiders)
Discord: eris: strife, contention (maintained strong disagreement)
Factions: hairesis: a self-chosen opinion, a religious or philosophical sect, discord or contention
Rage: thumos: outburst of passion, wrath
Dissensions: dichostasia: standing apart
Idolatry: eidólolatria: image worship
We are called to humbly serve one another and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit which includes: love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Fruit comes from a plant… If the plant is good then it will produce good fruit (see Matthew 7:17-18).
If some of the words you marked above bring out hatred, discord, factions, dissensions, or idolatry in your life then you’re reacting in a fleshly way. Our actions, if of the Spirit, should reflect the fruits of the Spirit and not the acts of the flesh.
Can you respond to the terms you wrote with love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?
We must see with spiritual, not earthly eyes.
Ask God to reveal the true issues at heart knowing the following:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12, NIV).
Our struggle is not against one another. We must identify the true enemy. Our immune system is not to fight against one another, but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world.
Rulers: arché: beginning, origin; the initial starting point
Authorities: exousia: power to act, authority; usage: power, authority, weight, especially: moral authority, influence
Powers: kosmokratór: a ruler of this world; usage: ruler of this world, that is, of the world as asserting its independence of God; used of the angelic or demonic powers controlling the sublunary world.
Don’t be satisfied with identifying your tensions as “Republicans”, “Democrats”, “politics”, “Black Lives Matter”, or “police”. These words in themselves are not evil. What desires and motives lie in your heart leading to the fruit you see in yourself? Where does God speak through Scripture to these desires and motives?
Ask God to reveal what needs addressing and process and wrestle with God. In the spirit of Christ, start with God and your heart: what needs clearing in your own eye and heart that Christ may more fully reign in you and your allegiances?
Please share what God reveals to you with us at team@projectarctos.com. We’d love to hear from you as we seek to grow together into the head, who is Christ Jesus.
Notes
[1] “Allergies and the Immune System.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed July 3, 2021. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/allergies-and-the-immune-system.
[2] Person C also brought up the passing of the Hong Kong national security law in June 2020, the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor, police brutality, and the Atlanta shootings, but for the purposes of this article I will focus on the two common items named by all three people interviewed.
Jonathan Ho works in a non-profit company serving adults with psychiatric diagnoses and adults with developmental disabilities. He also serves as one of KRC’s English section editors. He studied Sociology and Economics at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts (USA). He is passionate about empowering people in their relationships and dreams towards closer communion and lordship of Jesus. He enjoys rock climbing, sports, reading, and spending time with his wife, Julia.