January 5, 2023 Show with Nan, on “A Chinese Atheist Pursuing an Acting Career in the United States Finds Eternal Life in Jesus Christ”

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Good afternoon, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Lake City, Florida and the rest of

humanity living on the planet Earth who are listening via live streaming at iron Sharpens iron

radio .com.

This is Chris Arnzen your host of iron sharpens iron radio wishing you all a happy Thursday on this fifth day

of January 2023 and I'm thrilled to have a first -time guest

today.

She is only going to be referred to as Nan that's an a n and

the reason for that should be Self -explanatory once I give you her details.

She's an acting coach Helping students audition for American and British drama schools

and she's addressing her testimony.

A Chinese Atheist pursuing an acting career in the United States finds eternal

life in Christ Jesus and it's my honor and privilege to welcome you for the very first time ever to

iron sharpens iron radio non.

Hello, everyone.

Hello Chris.

It's my pleasure to be here and.

Well, let's go right into your story non.

In fact, let me first give our listeners our email address.

If you would like to join us with a question of your own for non.

Our email address is Chris Arnzen at gmail .com.

Chris a r n z e n at gmail .com.

Give us your first name at least your city and state of residence and your country of residence if you live outside the USA.

Please only remain anonymous if your question involves a personal and private matter.

I would also urge you to Text or email or call

All that, you know who may be Chinese immigrants to this country or

perhaps there in other parts of the world that you want to listen to this live

broadcast and Perhaps also those who are

evangelizing Chinese friends and loved ones or perhaps just the Chinese in general.

They may have a ministry outreach to the Chinese well have them tune into this

program because I think they will find it quite fascinating and Edifying and

in fact tell everyone, you know Who is an atheist to listen in or if they are ministering to atheists

as well?

But non.

Tell us about your life in China as far back as you can remember being raised

as a child there.

Sure, um, so I grew up in a small town in the middle part of China and

my parents they are communist party member and

Our life was Quite good.

I think that's one of the reason I Never really questioned about God's

existence and it worked quite okay Until I

I came to the u .s.

Yeah.

Well, uh you I know that you have identified yourself prior to coming to Christ as

an atheist.

Was this is something that you were?

Confirmed that you were firmly convinced of before coming to Christ.

Tell us more about the mindset of atheism that you had.

In your upbringing and in your general life in China.

And even coming to here initially.

So, um Um, I was I was

educated, you know to be a hot worker to have good

virtue and Be kind to people and we have a

Lot of Chinese.

Asian philosophy teaches us to be so as well and

Kind of how we teach ourself teach our children to be and

It worked well from for for from for some part of when we are thinking

about who we want to be even though it doesn't really explain

where we come from and Where we will be after we die, but for

the current life Chinese philosophy Kind of makes sense.

And.

I was quite Welcomed and popular by have by having good

personality and good virtue.

So I didn't really question why?

Like I didn't question About God's existence and I and it was fine

that I live a life without God.

Now it's interesting that you mentioned virtue Being part

of your life as an atheist.

Did it ever occur to you?

As Christian apologists often say to atheists when they're having conversations or debates

that an atheist Really has no background or

foundation or basis to develop an Understanding of what is

virtue?

What is right?

What is wrong?

What is morality?

What is immorality?

Because if you believe we are just evolved from pond scum and that there is no

Perfect righteous holy eternal creator

And there is no inerrant Scripture or an errant guide

to introduce those living on this planet to

What is right and wrong that an atheist really has.

No?

Business being critical of what anybody else thinks about that issue of what is right and what is

wrong Is that a did that ever occur to you?

I.

Know now because I have this Christian mentality.

I would think okay my previous Thinking about good virtue didn't bear on closer

analyze.

Um, but back then because You know the surrounding people

who were around me on.

And also the way I was taught in school in at home in the society.

We're all like that like good virtual means you do good things.

Not not like in not like a chat and checking my my real heart.

So I wouldn't go that far.

We should say.

Okay.

Do I really know what is good virtual or not?

If that makes sense, yes, and.

You have said that you were content Not believing in God for a

period of your life perhaps the majority of it because you are a young woman.

When did that begin to change.

When did that your Curiosity and perhaps your conscience begin to gnaw at

you.

Yeah.

So as a Atheist I kind of give myself a meaning of living a

life is to to mix to make a difference so I Thought

okay.

Why am I living this life.

Because I want to do something for the for the world.

So when I die, at least I did something that was the kind of goal for my life

and I thought theater Was a way for me to achieve

Achieve that.

So I I Came to the US.

I started to to to have acting training in school and

the first year at school at drama school.

It was struck me was that I think drama education should

really humble us so that we can have Compassion for anyone

even for the cleaner the beggar anyone but somehow acting training.

I.

Felt like so many people I saw acting training make us become more.

I Wouldn't the snobbish the world sounds very harsh, but more like okay.

I'm doing this because I want to do acting it kind of lose the connection with

the real People and the real world and I start to question why it

become like this.

Because my intention of doing acting is to be more grounded to to to life

to people, but however, well I was doing that.

I Was off and I see a lot of people were off even the whole industry was

off so That kind of Gave

some like a Open a crack over there and

also I worked very hard and I still

didn't achieve what I want to achieve.

So there was a huge sense of failure Disappointed for

myself and I thought as long as I work hard so I could Literally

not go to sleep and kept analyzing my script Practicing my acting.

I thought this is the way I can become better but I found after

After a long period of trying I felt that way of thinking of myself and work

Didn't offer me a way out.

No matter how hard and I try I can Drive myself crazy, but there's

no way out and I'm thinking okay.

Am I going to live a life like this forever?

And am I going to teach my children to be like this if I if being successful

is the Is the goal for our life?

That That's a tragedy.

Yes.

That kind of add that crack a little.

Wider.

Yeah, oh.

And also the way I talk about, you know, be in being having good

virtual and Working hard.

That make me live a good life in China.

Didn't help me live.

It didn't help me fit in American culture.

So Well, I people kind of people are kind of using another system

To judge people.

So what I brought from China didn't work anymore.

Why was in the u .s?

So that confused me as well.

It's like my old self is Not working.

Well in the u .s.

And I'm trying to find find a new way.

So I tried I you know, I went to the club with my my fellow actors.

I tried to live a life big.

They do like I because I thought I was too healthy to being to be an actress.

So I tried to pick up their way, which I think may help me become normal.

Then I felt I was losing myself.

So then I was kind of stuck going back to my old self didn't work but becoming

who they are but becoming what other people are didn't work as well, so I

Kind of got a identity identity crisis.

I know and The teenager probably would have that crisis.

But it's yeah, it's these just happened to me in my 20s as well.

I got this crisis.

Yeah, now what did you mean by you were too healthy to be an actor?

What does that.

Because like even in acting class sometimes we need to use our sense memory and

Also for modern for modern if you are if you eat if you

are familiar with a lot of modern like a Script

modern drama.

It's always so dark.

It's not about Kind of normal people's life.

It's all about twisted Personality family story

and I read many.

A.

Script which I mentally couldn't really understand and let alone to to

to to to act it so I Thought oh because I might my life.

My personal life was too healthy.

I couldn't understand messy people's life so I.

Yeah, well you'd never understand my life because I'm quite a messy individual.

But.

Going back to China again.

What was your concept of Christianity.

Had you ever met Genuine Bible -believing Christians.

Had you heard about it?

Somewhere in some form of media or Literature, how did you.

How did you become aware of?

Christianity and what were your thoughts on it?

Growing up in my hometown.

There was a kind of a band -aid Church building.

I think I only ran into once and It felt a little bit.

That beauty was a lot was old dark so I think I ran out quickly and I never been I

never went back to that beauty and.

Then after I went I went to other city for my high school.

For my college, I think I went.

Maybe several times when I was in college my American teacher took

Us took some of the students to the church so I went there, but I was

just kind of I was more curious about what what who they are who they are, but

I never really I never really Heard about the word

so it never really touched my heart at all until I

Came to the US.

I went to a church the Liberty Church and I think.

But that time I started to really get the word into my mind really to

Think about ponder about the word.

So and in China when I won't I Didn't I didn't have someone I know personally

who are genuine Christian can.

Oh, I think oh there was what I think.

Yeah, one was in toast to master.

It's a speech speech club.

Oh, yeah, they have that they have that here in Carlisle, Pennsylvania the town Broadcasting this.

I went to one meeting of theirs.

Yeah, so well, I think we we have.

We have there there is a brother.

He talked some about a Christian energy to me, but still it didn't get into my

heart.

Now What is it like?

In China in regard to the

restriction of or the freedom of A personal

belief in anything that would be considered religious spiritual

are there are certain forms of Christianity that the Government tolerates

because it does not challenge anything about their yeah their ideology.

Yeah, so right now in my hometown where every time now when I go back home, I I would

Attend the the church in my town and that town.

That church is actually sponsored by our government.

Oh, so that church is what you can see it says a lot love your country on the wall.

Like so that one is a is registered and is open for public

and.

After 2018 we have new Regulation, I think

family church was kind of in a gray area before but after that regulation a

family church is regarded as illegal and.

And after Kovac because all the church went online

so new regulation regulation comes as well.

Like to supervise the online Online

Sermon as well.

So I'm assuming by what you said that that you return to this

day for visits to China and.

Because from what I could remember from your testimony You didn't start

attending a church until you came here to the United States.

But now you're talking about this Government run church that you visit in your hometown.

So so you return to China on occasion.

I.

Was in the u .s. last time from 2014 to 2018 so I

was here for four years and that's when I I really

knew God and accept God and after that I went back to China and for four

years and Now I come back.

I came back last year in August.

Now when you.

Return to China as a reborn believer in Christ.

How did you react to this state -run church?

Did they have the true gospel?

Did they just speak a Political message that was

appeasing to the government.

What was what was going on in that worship service if if even you could call it that?

I have no idea what these churches are like there.

Yeah, so the church in my hometown They are the they

choose.

They would choose a part of Bible and they make they make a PPT.

I think probably they need to submit their PPT the

Presentation to the government of first to let them know what they are going to do for this week.

And what is PPT?

I'm sorry.

Oh, sorry.

PPT is a presentation.

Okay.

Yeah the Microsoft presentation.

So So the the I I I think they

are they were quite biblical they were talking about the the Bible verses

Like They are.

They didn't mention very sensitive Topic

Like oh Jesus will come back soon this kind of Area, but more like okay.

We need to love people Bible said Something and All we

need to rely on Lord.

So they will give Bible verses as well.

So even though they are responsible they are sponsored by government.

I still I still think the church in my hometown.

They were doing fine of following the Bible.

Now, do you know why a communist nation a communist

dictatorship like China? would even desire to have churches

that they themselves run.

Is it to Offer enough freedom to the people so that they don't

Overtly rebel or what?

What is the reasoning?

Do you know?

What is the?

Yeah, I In my opinion, I think there are at least two reasons.

The first one is they know they couldn't They couldn't remove all the

Christians.

Like I think even even as It's very early time.

There were so many Christians on Start you know speak up

and they knew they couldn't remove all of them.

So instead of Trying to Take them away.

We're not offer a place which which are Sponsored by the

government but also supervised by them to let them to to worship over there and.

The other reason I think the probably the they know we are not we wouldn't

do something harm for the most of the part for them and And the

I think they know Christianity are actually trying to

have.

Like they teach Christianity teach people to be to be good.

So at this part, I think they know and also, you know by

by the Constitution it says we have freedom to to believe in any.

Religion really in China.

They have that in their Constitution.

Yes, we have freedom to believe in Believing any religion.

That's why Buddhism is allowed as well in China.

Now is this so.

It was this always the case after the Communist control of

China took place.

I think so.

I think since the beginning of.

The Republic of China was founded in 1949 by Constitution.

If I'm not wrong by Constitution.

But but you know people will break Constitution and they will give you any other reason to say maybe Oh your

religion is not following the rules.

The problem will use that reason to to to put some people in prison.

But by Constitution itself, it says we have freedom to believe in Christianity.

We believe in Religion, but if you want to be a Communist Party member,

you can't have any religion and Marxist Marxism is what you need to believe.

Really, so they would not permit a Card -carrying member of the Communist Party

to be anything but an atheist.

Is that what you're saying?

Yeah, I think the precondition to become a.

Communist Party because you need to Fill in the form in the form of religion for if you want to

join in the party It needs to be not non -religious.

Really?

That's interesting.

Yeah, and of course.

Whether they call it that or not Atheism and Marxism are religions.

They're just false religions.

People try to dance around that by claiming that they're they're not religions but every

ideology is A religion whether it's identified that way or not, but we have to go.

We have to go to our first station break right now.

Sure, if Anybody again would like to join us on the air with a question for non?

Please give us your first name at least your city and state in your country.

Your residents only remain anonymous.

If your question involves a personal and private matter, our email address is Chris Arnzen at gmail .com.

Chris Arnzen at gmail .com.

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We're now back with non.

We are referring to her only as non.

Since she is a or was a Chinese atheist Who was pursuing an acting

career in the United States and she found eternal life in Christ Jesus.

She is an acting coach helping students audition for American and British drama schools.

And if you have a question Our email address is Chris Arns and at gmail .com.

Give us your first name at least city and state and country of residence before I go to any of our listener questions.

Non, I'd like to go back even further in your life to when acting

became something of great interest to you what kind of

acting were you able to see and enjoy an experience in

China did Did you experience a lot of Western acting American acting or was it more

exclusively?

Chinese tell us about that.

Oh.

For for movie I think the the the future some of the movies as well but most of the

most of the world movies are accessible are Accessible in China believe it or

not before even before I become a Christian.

My favorite movie is Shawshank Redemption.

Yeah, very very good movie very excellent.

So we are able to watch those kind of movie and for me when I was very young

I watched a movie I Didn't didn't even know The movie's name, but

I remember it was about a black a black guy who are trying

to be a Diver in the ocean and oh, yeah, I saw I saw that with.

William Gooding jr.

I think his name is Gooding jr.

I'm sorry, not William Cuba Gooding jr.

And rotten and Robert De Niro, I believe was.

I didn't know English, but I just remember that moment.

I was I was watching that movie.

I was so inspired by their spirit like their Determination their

perseverance just touched me so hard and I was thinking I want to do this kind of

Acting for people as well to inspire them.

So that's when that's somehow kind of like a I have this the seed of acting

planted in my heart.

And I'm assuming that In spite of the fact that China is

a communist nation that you are free to

Travel in other parts of the world in the West and so on as you are now doing here in the

United States.

Yeah, it seems to be a lot less restrictive than the former Soviet Union was.

Yeah, it's I.

I'm free to go anywhere yeah.

And well, let me start taking some of our audience questions because

Hopefully they've been waiting patiently.

We have Ronald in Eastern Suffolk County, Long Island, New York.

Who asks how did your family react to your conversion to Christianity?

Well at the beginning Yeah, of course, they would think I was brainwashed by

Western by Western cultures.

Wow, I think I think regardless of Religion

I think country.

You know at At a country level.

Somehow there is a host a like it's hostile to each other so like here

on the information, you know about China was not true as well and

the same for China in China like the the information we got from we

got information about the u .s. Was quite the truth was twisted so.

So we would we would think okay we because we are influenced by Western culture.

That's why we would think in other ways.

So yeah at the beginning my parents were Reacting in that way, but then they

say the change on me.

Especially they can they can they can feel related to what I tell them about what

Bible says like love Forgiving of grace

the they didn't think there's any wrong about this issue.

Yeah, and So now I think they are they are they

are Okay About because they didn't say there is any harm,

but I was thinking if one day I My life

was my life is threatened or if I put it I'm put into jail

because of my face it that will Probably have a

blow on my parents.

But right now it because nothing really harming happening on me.

So they are fine and they agree with what we say what I tell them about Bible and the

thing what Bible says are quite a good.

Now what would cause the authorities to arrest you for your faith, what would

be the Demonstrable Activity that you are

involved in which would be a fruit of your Christian faith.

That would cause the government officials to say.

Oh now you've crossed the line now.

We've got a Silence you arrest you etc.

What would be those issues?

What what would be those issues?

I?

I can only Talk about some simple reason like

if the if they have some rules to say you should join

in the Registered Church, but if I

insist on joining other Church which may which

may do some in the against with their rule I would say

that's a that could be.

There may be reason because I didn't follow their rule.

Now you.

When you were saying earlier that in order to be a member of the Communist Party you would have to

Identify yourself as an atheist when you fill out the membership form.

Do they does the government treat people differently who refuse to become members or

Just do not become members by virtue of the fact that they are Christian.

You mean for for men party members who are Christian what non -christian?

Well, I'm saying what.

What is the benefit for a citizen of China? to become a member of the Communist Party.

And what would be the the negative side if you say Well, I can't become a

member because I'm a Christian and that one of your rules as from what you were Referring to before is

that you have to be an atheist.

Okay, so That's all personal choice.

Like I didn't choose to to join in the party but I have classmates who choose to join

the party and for a lot of government position.

You need to be in the party so that you can get the job and you can

get promoted.

So that's the You if you if we caught it as benefit that that's kind of the

way you do it.

So you're not?

Restricted for many of the benefits of life in China by virtue of not being

a member of the Communist Party.

I'm not yeah, and I think we have.

I think huh?

I think we have equal rights with with other people now.

Is it just.

Christians or.

You know, we hear about the Uyghur Muslims being persecuted there.

Perhaps this is not something that's commonly known amongst those who are.

Again by Constitution, I just double -check it by the Constitution on

number number 36.

It says We we have religious freedom so

for the persecution you talk about I Actually don't know don't know the deep

reason why they got Persecuted but you know, the news could be run by the

news side because they're you know, some Foreign force about separate

separating the country because it's complicated.

I think the issue is not just a religious issue.

It's come involved with the territory many people are are

Are involved in that issue?

So I think it's it's hard to say it's just because of a religious

reason and From me from what I experienced I I have

enough freedom to be honest in China.

Okay, we have Cindy in Findlay, Ohio.

Who says do the Christian churches in China that you are aware of preach?

Repentance and trust in Christ for salvation.

Do they teach that we are sinners in need of redemption?

That would be that's that's an excellent question because Obviously that

places the situation of What is what is being

proclaimed by the church run I mean the government -run church is there and.

Are you free to tell someone in China if they are an atheist that they will be

damned without?

Trusting in Christ as their Lord and Savior.

He will be what?

Are you free to tell an atheist for instance in China that they will be

damned without Christ?

They will be eternally damned.

Uh -huh, I I'm I'm free to say so and

Yeah.

And for as to if the church talking about

Repenting and Because the church I was in China is actually a

family family church.

So I I Visited the state church.

I mean the church is responsible.

It's sponsored by the Government.

I visited there several times.

I.

I I think I can ask because I got I have these pastors Contacting ask if they

teach those things.

But the church I was in they teach.

So we are very aware of What Bible says about saying.

Repentance.

Now, did you say earlier that the family churches are illegal though?

I did.

Yes.

So that they're more free not free according to the government, but they

in their own consciences are Free to preach whatever they believe the

word teaches from the pulpit.

Dominic Church, yes.

Yes.

Okay, and we are going to our midway break right now if anybody

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Whom we are referring to as merely non.

And that is because she was a Chinese atheist pursuing an acting career in the United States who

found eternal life in Christ Jesus.

Currently an acting coach helping students audition for American and British drama schools.

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email address where you could send in a question to non a Chinese atheist a

Former Chinese atheist who was pursuing an acting career in the United States who found eternal life in Christ Jesus.

That's Chris Arnson at gmail .com and Before I go to any listener

questions non.

Yeah, I remember I forgot To respond with a question when you said

just as in China.

There are twisted Teachings about what life

and what the ideology is like here in the United States and in the West

just like that is a Reality in China where the truth is twisted that

occurs here in your opinion About what Americans are told about China, can you

be more specific about some of the things that we?

Hear wrongly believe typically about China.

So I Grew up in a Family that a lot

of our relatives are working for the government.

They are they are trying to do their work.

You know for my grandparents generation they were very poor people

were starving and In my generation I can gather help to

come to the United States Even though we will say okay there in terms of freedom.

As things can be Should be criticized in China.

But when I look at what I experienced and what I my parents my grandparents experienced

Some of the things are really getting much better than before.

That's why I I wouldn't you know say hey what will my grandma always say?

Oh, we need be thankful for Chairman Mao.

I wouldn't say hey, you don't know what he did because he because she experienced the

improvement of her life, so I think.

Like the coins have two sides sometimes the u .s. Is emphasizing too much on

one side and ignored the other side which can

Create a certain stereotype and.

Well, thank you for that and we do have CJ from Lindenhurst, Long Island, New York.

Who asks I'm assuming that the leftist? actors and

actresses here in the West may be just as hard to reach with the gospel as

Communists in China.

Can you tell us about the comparison between? opening up about your faith and

Evangelizing those that you know and love who are atheists in China and those that you know

Who are in your field of acting who may even hate Christ and Christianity?

Wow, well, that's a Thanks for the question, you know the

the the person who introduced me to Christ

Was a was a actress.

We both of us were taking up acting in Boston and the one day she looked at me.

She saw how hard I was working.

She should look at me.

She said man, do you know you don't have to work so hard all you need to do is to Give it

to law give you to Lord and I look at her in my brain I was I was thinking is she

insane like I don't need to work hard and just give it to someone I don't know.

So, um.

But then I the part of me say, okay, she's she's so good she she

she really keeps a good dignity in your acting class and I I told myself she

she means something even she means something more than what I what I saw.

So after both of us went back to the to New York, I started to attend her church.

So she is she's an actress, but yes a lot of other actors and

actresses I know here.

Um, they are they are not Christians and.

And yeah and They are very driven by their personal their

ambitious.

Their self their selfish and be ambitious.

So so I so was I and in terms of and Christians in China.

Because for the church are not so easy

Accessible for the majority of population.

So yes by that level.

The the it's not easy for them to hear God's words, but I think

he's really doing the work in China like how how I knew

him and through him I can tell my parents met my family met my friends and.

And there are also a lot of underground churches are really growing.

Largely, so but that level I think

God is working as the plan.

Now, what was a.

Forgive me for asking you to repeat this.

What kind of churches are growing largely.

I.

Think I said and they're ground.

Oh, okay.

And those were the are the ones that would be more an alignment with family churches, right?

Who are really trying to remain faithful to the scriptures no matter what the cost may be.

We have Susan Margaret from Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

Who asks.

I don't know how familiar you are with Reformed theology within

Christianity, but I was wondering how prevalent that is or scarce in

China.

In China, okay, so I Am in a reform the church now.

I mean OPC in yeah, and Before OPC

I went to two extreme.

But not to extreme church like to I tried to give directions because I found here church will either

go very like a Like the the modern church non

-denominational church where we Where we don't

listen to God's words.

Like strictly like they were used one or two Bible verses and then use the worldly

Psychological kind of explanation, but then there's the other direction which is like a kind of controlling one.

So I went to both at the very beginning.

I was in the church and I felt I was not fed very well, so I so I left but then I stumbled into

a stumbled into a Jehovah Witness and Because they are having Bible start

Bible classes every week and they are really Reading Bible

so I kind of went to kinds and then now I mean a reform the church where I think is

Keeping a very good balance like you have this system to take each other

accountability.

But at the same time, it's not controlling.

There's more.

It's more following what Bible talks about a church how a church should be and in terms

of China.

What went back last time?

To China I tried to find Priest OPC as well, but

it was not very Common, but there was Baptist Church Trinity Church.

Yeah, but also a lot of non -denominational churches.

Well, thank you for that excellent question Susan.

Margaret.

We have Robert in Westchester County, New York and

Robert asks What are some typical? excuses that

Chinese Atheists or non -christians have in rejecting Christ.

Mm -hmm.

Oh.

So when I think when life is okay If

it is easy to just leave Their own life

because it seems like It can nothing has to do with God.

It's like how I was before when my life was okay what I need to believe in God

and then.

Well, when I realized that there is a problem why really say my own thing.

Oh the other one is that the excuse is that in terms

of seeing because people will still think.

We still think about a good good action.

They think if they have good action, it means they are good people.

And now you tell them you are always saying it's hard to

Accept that.

It's like it's hard for us to admit our own faults.

It's.

It's just hard for for people or at non -christian to to do that.

Um.

Yeah, I.

Saw the other one.

I.

I couldn't think of no but There could be many excuses to

reject him.

Do you think that fear has a lot to do with it, I mean there are there are people who are

Terrified even here in the United States to be open and willing

to listen To the truths of Christianity because they know that they very

well may lose their jobs.

They may lose their friends.

They may lose even their families even here if people hate

What Christianity stands for in the case of the Chinese would

there be in addition to that any kind of fear of Government oppression of what might happen to them if

they even give a an open ear to consider What you have to say as a Christian

in fear that they might actually believe it.

Oh.

For my experience I haven't really See people who reject God

because of they have the fear they may lose friends or jobs.

I think that the fear like what I had one had Had the fear before

I admit in God as a atheist is the fear I'm going to lose myself because

I'm leaving.

I was living a life I want to leave I can pursue what I want to pursue living a lifestyle

I want to leave and now all of a sudden now here is a God asked me to give up.

What I what I want to do.

It's it's like it's like the The fear of I'm going to lose

myself.

I'm going to become a Servant for someone there is that kind of fear.

I think in a lot of a faced heart.

We have.

Let's see Bobby in Hartsdale, New York.

Wants to know How much of the true biblical gospel and Christian theology

was available in China?

Through different forms of media and the internet.

And let me let me add to that myself literature books and so on.

Okay, so I.

Think before I can we can still purchase Bible online.

But I think for the reason a year it seems like you you you can't get it online.

You can't get it for public website.

I can still find some ways to to purchase them but for

more like a Literature books for example the pilgrim

progress.

I even got one before I came here like so for that kind of literature which has

Christian beliefs.

That that one are still accessible.

That's interesting because that was written by a man who was imprisoned for his faith.

Yes, yes.

How about more?

How about more modern?

Reformed authors that are solid.

I think that the majority of Professing Christians writing books today or writing or writing horrible

books, but a I think the majority are but as far as good solid reformed

books of today.

Is there anything available over there?

Yes, I like I we even had a small group Study

study about Tim Keller's the meaning of marriage and the meaning of I got the meaning of work.

So that kind of book we can buy from we can buy online.

That right now that's the only one that you could think of as far as a reformed author.

Because I didn't read by other books.

So I couldn't say for other books.

Mm -hmm.

And Let's see here we have An

anonymous listener and the anonymous listener says I

don't even feel the freedom to open up about my personal faith in Jesus Christ in my own

home here in the United States because Of the hatred I experience from my own

family.

What advice do you have in?

Regard to Enabling people by God's grace to

be more bold and honest Regardless of the outcome when it comes to Christianity.

Well, I'm sorry about what you experience.

I think it must be very very hard for you.

That's why you couldn't really be open up yourself so far, I really.

I haven't been treated a battling because of my face, but the way I Approach to

people in China was I emphasize the part that I think they can

understand like when I talk with my parents and even my grandparents and emphasis about

The part of love I didn't mention I you know.

I.

Don't I didn't mention?

Like if you don't know God you will go to hell.

I didn't mention that more.

For like God will help me to be more loving be more

tolerant.

I will I will tell them How I experienced from God.

Even while I was in in the church in my hometown where we have other Chinese

governor was there as well.

I I would open it to say hey, I'm a Christian and Christianity helps me a

lot to to know my life and the world so I would emphasize The part I think

they can relate to as well.

We have.

A.

Miguel.

In Barnstead, New Hampshire.

Here's a couple of questions.

I'll read the first one to you.

First, obviously.

I read much in the media about Christian persecution in China.

Is this not a prevalent.

Is this not as prevalent as what's being reported about?

China.

Or perhaps it may be similar to instances we see here in the United States.

Can you share examples of Chinese persecution in China?

You may have witnessed?

I.

Was in a church in Beijing and It's a family church and

We we would have some police Kind of walking around

That building, but they didn't really do anything.

And then when after Kovac Started our church had to

Give up that building and we started to have sermon online.

But then we started to rent rent different places location so

from From the from where I was before I

Haven't really witnessed people who were persecuted.

Yeah, but I read book there was one if you want to know more probably you can read it's called the

heavenly man By brother Man.

Yeah, and by who.

I'm sorry.

I didn't hear the author.

Why you and you mean?

Oh, it's a Chinese author.

Yes but that was not relevant.

That that was.

Not that that is not prevalent.

That was like 80 80 saying it is jet 80 century.

I'm not 80 centuries in 1980s.

So.

So for current situation about persecution, I personally haven't really witnessed.

Now what do.

Those in what you have already described as illegal churches the family churches the

underground churches.

What have they said to you if anything?

About what they believe may happen to them if the government becomes aware of

what they're doing.

What kind of Threat, did they believe?

Is imposed upon them.

What kind of consequences?

So first I've heard the Christian well Will be

invited to have a tea.

With that me invited to have a what?

I'm sorry.

To drink tea with that.

Okay, which means they were kind of like, okay talk with you a little a little bit and

kind of give you a little bit warning or Reminding something

and.

Yeah, they will not.

From what I heard they will really talk with you a little bit.

Not like okay go to your room go your home and take you away so they would talk

with you and.

See how how things goes with you.

And if somebody persists though and then disobeying the government I'm assuming that would be arrested wouldn't they.

I.

Don't really know to be honest so many.

So many like the persecution I heard.

It was actually when I was here in the u .s.

I didn't really hear That much when I was in China, and I'm not

sure what I heard here.

How much of them are are true, so.

Yes, I didn't.

I don't think I'm qualified to answer this question.

Okay, and also people around me and they didn't experience that as well.

But they were some of them.

Several of them were invited it probably to have a tea.

Okay, and what.

What happened when they came back after the tea?

Did they just continue as they were already doing?

Okay?

Yeah, you continue to their original life.

Um Miguel has a second question.

My wife has befriended a co -worker Who recently emigrated from China and is living with

her family already here as citizens?

The co -worker is not a Christian.

What advice can you share regarding ways my wife can open up to her co -worker about

Christianity?

Yeah, I think yeah, it's very good question.

I think let them Experience Love is very important because we

talk so much about love.

Before what when we are blinded like I was blinded talking

sometimes Didn't work very well.

It works.

You know we we know him by words.

Yes.

It is true, but also when I really experience

Physically emotionally psychologically experience God that's where things really

can change.

So let them experience God's love God's glory and

Let them see What what it looks like to be a light to be salt?

Well, really because they will they will they know how different your presence

is and that will Be in your heart.

Do I remember that until maybe one day when Tommy is good?

Yeah, things can be changed.

Well we have to go to our final break, it's going to be more brief than the other breaks but if you do have a

question that you'd like to ask I would Recommend strongly that you send it in as quickly as possible because we are

rapidly running out of time.

Our email address is Chris Arnzen at gmail .com C -h -r -i -s A -r

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Welcome back.

And before I return to my interview with non I do have a very exciting announcement to make

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If you have a question Chris Ornson at gmail .com I'd

like you before I go to any listener question.

To have a couple of.

Uninterrupted minutes where you really bear open your heart and you.

Give our listeners what you most want etched in the hearts of our and on the hearts and minds of our listeners today before

they Go off.

Before we go off the air I want to make sure that The most

primary and essential things you would like to say to our listeners is heard Before we go into too many

listener questions.

Yeah, I was actually Thinking about the previous session how to

approach to their Chinese co -worker who is an atheist I

think to to know that person's problem like

what is Where where that person's mind is stuck in terms of believing

Christianity and try to know that that will

help to Talk more about God to that person because for me I

I Yeah, I I had a I met a brother.

He really helped me a lot in terms of in terms of my logic of thinking of God because

I was stuck there.

And he he spent hours and hours just help me to kind of say, okay here.

This is where you you know your mind rested over there, but He would explain to

me because it's not like I didn't want to believe it's just the the way I was

Educated for so many years.

I became a Christian when I was 27.

So I lived in one way for 27 years and all of a sudden if you want me to change

it was.

It was like my mind my brain was was bombed so I think the way to

approach for Non Christian is to know their issue where their

money gets stuck.

Yeah, and also I also want to emphasize about grace for one of the question.

We touched like I was talking with a friend of mine.

She's working for you in as a translator the day before yesterday.

She's a Chinese as well.

She believes in Buddhism and she's she has a very she has a very good conscious about

The bad part of her heart.

She should remember all the moments she choose from Evil and good good

and she knew her instinct will just let her to choose the bad choice but then the way she

solved the problem is to to Try and try very hard to keep alert

to Always like a better herself because she thinks there are things who can

achieve that.

But I I said to her, you know, one of the thing I experienced so God is grace.

I told her I tried your way.

But that way didn't work on me because I found no matter how hard I beat myself

I will be either very proud of myself or thinking very low of myself if I try

things in my way if I try to achieve it by myself, but if I

receive God's grace, I will not have those two extreme feeling

either being proud or being feeling horrible about myself because I Achieved that about

God's grace.

So I think this is another thing we can Tell people as well that can yeah.

Amen.

And yeah, I have heard from people who were in either Christian

denominations that are not reformed or even in cults that

place them on a a works righteousness treadmill and

They wind up Very often being so burned out knowing that they could never

do enough to earn God's favor that many of these people just abandon

religion altogether and it's it's interesting because many of these

groups and and religions teach people that without that

Fear that constant fear that you drill into people's minds You're going to lose

them Because they're not going to be afraid of abandoning that religion

but They wind up abandoning it anyway, because they know they could never satisfy

the requirements of those religions, so none of us can

Satisfy the law what the law demands and that's why our Savior Jesus Christ the

God man The only perfect spotless lamb the only perfectly obedient

and righteous substitute that we could have Die for us on Calvary.

That's the very reason he Had the wrath of his own father poured

upon him on the cross and I praise God for that every Every moment that I have the

opportunity We have A let's

see here.

I was just looking at it moments ago.

We have Oh Joseph in South Central, Pennsylvania and

Joseph says Do you miss China enough to return there permanently

or are you enjoying life as a Christian too much here in the United States?

Oh, I will go back even this time when I came to the US I I know I will go back

to China after I finish my my education program.

Because I think that's is what that's the door God opened for me

on to to do in China.

Last time when I went back China as an actress and somehow

teaching just kind of approached to me.

So many people were asking to teach people so so and

I Say I can I can do what I do in China actually

can can make more.

Kind of make more difference over there because here in the US your education system is already quite

developed and.

But in China, even I only do a little bit of can really Helped a lot for students.

Well yet with the education here may be developed, but it's also very corrupt.

I know I didn't think about it that that seriously, but you know now.

Studying NYU.

I am exposed in so many different way of looking at education and.

How is your?

Your faith received at NYU.

I mean that's known as a extremely left -wing institution.

You know, and I I have seen in my life as a Christian, I don't know if you have witnessed this

but left -wing institutions Tend to be more gracious

to those that are not white Anglo -Saxons Who are

Christians?

Then they would be towards someone like me they they tend to be more tolerant to

Ethnic and racial minorities who express their faith.

Is that what you are experiencing or not?

Exactly.

We have so many classes talking about create

Inclusive classroom, which means we need be open to

every kind of situation you know

Homosexuality transgender different different race so,

yeah, you are right about it and Yeah Because it sounds it sounds

quite if I if I'm not a Christian, I think I will think oh wow It

sounds so.

It sounds so lofty.

Wow, you are open for everyone but now I can I I I understand it from

another perspective of Of the of the education

Development the u .s. Is actually experiencing now.

Yeah.

We have a question from RJ in White Plains, New York who wants to know have you ever become aware of a

government?

Official or at least a high -end government employee with authority who is actually

secretly harboring a Christian faith.

You mean in China, I'm assuming that's what the listener man I.

I'm not aware of that.

Yeah.

So you've never even heard anecdotally about that that occurring

where there might be even people who are Turning a blind eye to certain things just to

protect Christians or anything like that.

Oh.

You know, my parents are working for the government in my way.

My aunt and other family members are I think

Didn't hear about such things.

Sorry, oh, that's okay.

I'm just curious and.

Well, we don't have time for any further questions From the audience.

So I'll just ask the final one of my own.

How would you like us to pray for you?

Oh.

Thank you so much Yeah.

I.

Wish my my relationship with God can be strengthened

my Understanding of him can be more expanded.

So when I go back No matter what happened I can

still be rooted firmly in him and

To really become a vessel for him on To

to do to do the plan he has for us.

Well, it's been an honor and privilege to have you on the program.

You're a delightful Christian woman and Hope I have the opportunity to share

fellowship with you and those Christians who are Expressing their hospitality

and love toward you there in or here I should say in the United States and

I'd look forward to receiving updates from you and and Just out of curiosity

before we go I know that you're an instructor when it comes to acting.

Are you pursuing more of The acting career as your own livelihood.

Here and when you return to China as far as being an actress.

I'm more doing for like an education part now.

I had I have theater in China.

We we would serve for do we would do improv improvisation for the community?

But most of the part I'm doing education drama education so for myself, I will

I kind of rely on God to say.

If there is a chance for me to act I will I would love to act for example before I came here.

We we did a Christian film a small lecture of Christian film.

I I love those kind of chances to to do acting but most of the part.

I think my career will be more education oriented to use drama as a way to

to to help people to improve the personal growth, yeah.

Alrighty, well, thank you so much for being our guest today.

I want to thank every.

Thanks, all the listeners for the questions.

Thank you.

Thank you are listening to me.

I hope my English is clear.

Enough for everybody understand.

Yes, your English is.

More clear than many people.

I know who are born and raised right here in the United States.

Thanks Lord, and I want everybody to always remember for the rest of your lives that Jesus Christ is a far greater

Savior Than you are a sinner.